Superbowl Preview

Green Bay Packers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

After two long weeks (and one awful pro bowl) Superbowl weekend has finally arrived. The Pittsburgh Steelers, representing the AFC will take on the Green Bay Packers out of the NFC. The big game will be hosted by Jerry Jones at his vivacious new(ish) stadium, “The Palace in Dallas” (even though it’s in Arlington, still sounds flashy). Nobody needs a history lesson here, but it should be noted that these two franchises are rich with prestige and Superbowl fortitude. Outside of that, nobody really cares how good the Packers were in the 60’s or how dominant the Steelers were in the 70’s… It’s irrelevant.

What is relevant, the two Superbowls won by Pittsburgh in 2005 and 2008. Whether or not you like Pittsburgh, they are on the verge of another dynasty. Say what you will about Ben Roethlisberger, but if he wins this one, that makes three… before he turns 30. He certainly isn’t the pretty boy with rooms filled with indvidual accolades, but there’s no debate that he knows how to win in the post season. Roethlisberger’s 10-2 playoff record is second percentage wise only to the great Bart Starr, who ironically played for the Packers. The last thing Green Bay wants is to have that percentage broken against them. Unfortunately, Ben is at his best when the other person doesn’t want him to succeed (zing). Only guys named, Aikman, Bradshaw, Brady, and Montana have three and there’s little argument that each one of those guys will be enshrined in Canton (if they haven’t been already). The majority of Pittsburgh’s roster carried over from their last title run, giving them a certain familiarity with the whole process. An advantage they hold over their Green Bay counterpart. But hey, if Henry Rowengartner can lead the Cubs to a pennant as an 11-year old, anything can happen.

Speaking of laser-rocket arms, Green Bay quarterback, Aaron Rodgers has quickly gone from Brett Favre’s understudy to an elite NFL passer. No need to bring up his statistics for the third time in this playoff run, but you should know, this guy can put the ball anywhere. That includes the hands of opposing players. We’re all aware that Green Bay’s A-rod is a heck of a player and has brought his game to another level this winter. However, he is not perfect. Against the stout Bears defense, Rodgers was picked twice and did not record a passing touchdown. In fact, the best play he made all day was tripping up linebacker, Brian Urlacher, after a disastrous red zone interception. Had Urlacher not stumbled like Peter Griffin leaving the Drunken Clam, I would most likely be writing a Bears vs. Steelers preview. While Big Ben is trying to build upon his legacy, Rodgers is still trying to carve out his on niche amongst the Green Bay legends.

For the first time since the early 80’s the two defenses that allow the fewest points will be squaring off on Super Sunday. I’ve watched Merril Hoge spit and stutter his way through debating which team has the better defense for 10 days, and frankly he’s starting to sound like farmer Fran from the Waterboy. Why ESPN continues to put him and Lou Holtz on TV will forever baffle me. Anyways, the Defenses… Four out of the top seven defensive players in the league will be active on Sunday and their names are sure to be called by Joe Buck, Al Michaels, Bob Costas, or whatever blow hard is broadcasting the game.

The four I’m referring to are, Troy Polamalu (2010 Defensive Player of the Year), James Harrison (2008 Defensive POY), Charles Woodson (2009 Defensive POY), and Clay Matthews (robbed of 2010 Defensive POY).

At any rate, these four guys are labeled as game changers. What makes the defensive backs (Woodson and Polamalu) so dangerous is their ability to wreak havoc in both the pass and run game. Some argue that Woodson is at his best when he get in the backfield and disrupt screen passes and runs to the outside, on top of that, he’s a shutdown corner. Polamalu is without a question at his best when he is rushing the quarterback or blowing up plays before they even start, but he’s also a ball hawk and usually finds a way to jump a passing lane. Not to mention Polamalu looks like something out of Genghis Khan’s Mongol empire. It doesn’t matter which time period this guy lived in, he would have been born a fierce warrior. Instead of a spear and a shield he’s given pads and a helmet, fair trade. Clay Matthews is arguably the best pass rusher in the NFL. His innate ability to get to the quarterback has gotten him serious notoriety amongst NFL players and coaches. The challenge for Matthews will be bringing down the toughest quarterback in the league in Big Ben. James Harrison is the last person in the world I would want to owe money to. After watching his rigorous workout on ESPN this week, I am convinced he could beat up Brock Lesnar after going 12 rounds with Ivan Drago. His 100-yard pick-6 in Superbowl XLIII was the biggest play of the game, up until Santonio Holmes bailed out Roethlisberger to seal the deal. With two evenly matched defensive units, it will boil down to whoever can get the big stop or the big turnover when their respective offense has gone stagnant.

The Steelers may have an advantage in running back, Rashard Mendenhall. Mendenhall isn’t quite underrated… but he’s certainly undervalued. What could hinder Mendenhall’s success is the status of rookie center, Maurkice Pouncey. If Pouncey can suit and play, how effective can he be three days out of a hard cast? And If he doesn’t that leaves the Steelers awfully thin on lineman (no pun intended). In their two most recent Superbowl victories, Pittsburgh has always been aided by an excellent running back. In 2005 they had Jerome Bettis, and in 2008 they had Willie Parker. Pittsburgh has to establish Mendenhall early, if the Steelers rely on Roethlisberger’s arm to win them a title they will be in worse shape Joaquin Phoenix’s acting career.

The key for the Packers will be spreading out the Pittsburgh defense. In order to neutralize pressure brought on by Lamarr Woodley and company, Rodgers will have to make quick decisions and spot the mismatch before somebody like Polamalu or Harrison does. The best way counter Pittsburgh’s rush is to put as many receiving options on the field as possible. Opening up the offense and putting four wide receivers and forcing linebackers to cover slot receivers is the best way for Green Bay to move the ball. When the Packers use their spread formation Rodgers has more weapons at his disposal than James Bond. Receivers Greg Jennings, James Jones, Jordy Nelson, and Donald Driver are going to get plenty of looks considering Green Bay’s rush offense is not worth mentioning.

This game is going to come down to two things. Quarterback play and defense. Essentially the quarterback that plays better will win. I know that this sounds simple and is not always the case, but when Rodgers gets hot, it is curtains for the opposing team. The same can be said for Big Ben, if he is going to shed defenders, extend the play, and find guys open down the field the Steelers will win. Defensively, as I’ve said in each breakdown for these two teams, whichever team can force the crucial turnover is going to end up on top. Green Bay has done it all post season long. But Pittsburgh has been known to do it on the championship level.

This promises to be nothing short of a classic between two great franchises. Hopefully I don’t miss any of the second half because of my refusal to watch the Black Eyed Peas perform for a second. The only way to ruin a good Superbowl is listening to Fergie’s voice. Anyways, both teams are very resilient and capable of coming back from deficits, and I see this one being close from start to finish.

Green Bay 28 Pittsbrugh 24