The grandest stage of them all, the game worth all the bragging rights. Super Bowl XLV takes place this weekend in Arlington, in Jerry Jones’ most prized possession, Cowboys Stadium. The NFC Champion Green Bay Packers take on the AFC Champions, the Pittsburgh Steelers. With everything on the line this game, it’s time to put up or shut up.
One of the headlines going into the game is the defensive stoppers that both teams have. The Packers have the should-be Defensive Player of the Year in Clay Matthews who affected every game he played with his ability to blitz and apply pressure. The Steelers have the actual Defensive Player of the Year in Troy Polamalu, who plays from sideline to sideline on every given play, and never takes a play off. The Steelers face the tougher issue with Matthews as their offensive line has struggled all season, and thus far in the playoffs Matthews has been all over the field taking down quarterbacks with pure ferocity. Polamalu, who has been suffering from a strained Achilles tendon as of late, looks to lead the defense once again, as he has come up big for the team in key situations in the past. Polamalu has come up huge in the Steelers’ previous close games, making plays that no one thought could be made, such as diving interceptions or forcing fumbles that create the winning score.
The problem for Polamalu is his injury as the Packers on offense have a ton of speed, and having to keep up with the speed can be a difficult task to accomplish. The Achilles tendon is no light injury, and can burden a player… especially one who relies on their quickness to create plays that astonish everyone watching. If Polamalu isn’t 100 percent on Sunday, you have a higher chance of seeing Aaron Rodgers picking apart the Steelers secondary, who is about average when dealing without their star safety. Rodgers picked them apart last year in a matchup with the Steelers, in a shootout, but this game could be a whole lot different.
The Steelers offensive line has been spotty this season, and with Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey questionable for the game, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger looks likely to be under some heavy heat on Sunday. While Big Ben is elusive enough to escape most pressure, the Packers pass rush is usually on point when it comes to wrapping up the quarterback and Roethlisberger should be no different. If somehow Big Ben does manage to squirm his way out of the hands of the defense, look for Clay Matthews to make sure he goes down as Matthews is capable of chasing almost anyone down.
The Packers have had their fair share of offensive line issues as well, but as of late this unit seems to be in harmony in defending Aaron Rodgers well. The Steelers defense does a great job of getting behind the offensive line though, and with the linebackers that the Steelers have, it could be a long day for Rodgers if the line starts to crumble. James Harrison, LaMarr Woodley, James Farrior, and Lawrence Timmons can all create havoc for the Packers offensive line, and with Dick LeBeau running the defense it could mean disaster for the Packers offense. The Packers though, like the Steelers have a mobile quarterback who can escape the pressure as Rodgers has been doing so very well throughout the playoffs. Rodgers has escaped linebackers and defensive linemen with his speed and various Madden-like moves to get him away from the pressure, and create plays for the offense. The Steelers defensive secondary has the tough job of making sure to never break their coverage, as Rodgers could break free at any time, and get any easy play.
The running game is going to be a big part of both of the team’s offenses. With the Packers, they’ve been relying heavily on rookie James Starks, but against the Steelers defense, running the ball may be hell. The Steelers are ranked number one in the league in stopping the run, and with an already spotty running game, the Packers may try to emphasize the passing game a little more than usual, not that it’s a problem or anything. The Packers have played without a running game practically all season long, and still managed to get into the playoffs, before stumbling upon Starks in the wild card game against the Eagles. Asking the Packers to play with little to no running game isn’t anything difficult, as Rodgers has shouldered much of the load this season, and could do it once more this season. So while the Steelers defense can shut down the run, they can’t shut down the Packers offense entirely.
The Steelers have to get their running game going if they want to help Big Ben. Rashard Mendenhall has been key all post-season, and if he comes up big could win the game for the Steelers. When the running game gets going for the Steelers, it allows Big Ben to work over the opposing secondary, which allows some big plays to receivers like Mike Wallace and Hines Ward. If the Steelers offense can click both in the running and passing game, this game could turn into a shootout. The last time these two teams went into a shootout, the Steelers prevailed on an amazing game-winning catch from Wallace in the corner of the end zone.
With the game being the last of the season, and everyone knowing a single play can be the difference between losing and winning, you have to imagine that there is an unlikely hero. Previous Super Bowls have shown this to be true, as we have had many players such as David Tyree make clutch plays leading their team toward the victory. With a ton of supporting cast players this year, you have to wonder who can be the hero bringing their city the Lombardi Trophy.
There has also been a ton of talk about the Packers’ inexperience heading into the big game with only two players on their roster having Super Bowl experience. Charles Woodson and Ryan Pickett being the only players having played in the Super Bowl, (John Kuhn has a ring due to being on the Steelers practice squad back in the 2005 season) means that 49 other players on the roster have never been to the big game, and face the mental challenge of treating it like another game. Regardless, the Packers are trying to treat it like any other game, because when it all boils down, it’s just football, it’s still the game you practice on a daily basis. With the snowy conditions hitting northern Texas, the Packers (who are the home team) feel like they’re still in Green Bay as Greg Jennings stated that they feel at home there in Arlington. The Packers face a similar position as the New York Giants did a few years back, with everyone saying that the team was inexperienced, and facing a team that has won it before. The Giants silenced the critics and won the Super Bowl ending the Patriots’ almost perfect season, so the Packers have nothing to worry about as it has been done before, even if they are the favorite.
The Packers and Steelers will make for one great Super Bowl as these two storied franchises face off for the very first time in the big game. The outcome can go either way with both teams having many ways to beat you. The difference is who is going to use them. Don’t miss the Super Bowl this Sunday, as it is sure to be a good one… or a blow out, who knows. It can be the fourth title, or the seventh, regardless, you want to be a part of this game.