Green Bay Packers vs Pittsburgh Steelers
Location: Arlington, Texas
Stadium: Cowboys Stadium
Kick Off Time: Sunday, February 6th, 2011
6:29pm ET
The NFC Champion Green Bay Packers and the AFC Champion Pittsburgh Steelers are set to face off this Sunday in the biggest event in sports that happens every year. The Super Bowl. Both teams have great, if not elite quarterbacks. Both teams have elite defenses holding their opponents to under 15 points per game. While the Steelers have had a running game all year long, the Packers are just starting to find theirs. Ben Roethlisberger has had legal issues hanging over his head over the past year while Aaron Rodgers has had to deal with Brett Favre's legacy hanging over his head ever since he took over as the Green Bay Packers starting quarterback. Both teams have players of youth and experience and are at the point where they can just reload talent every year. The only difference really is most of this Steeler team has been to the Super Bowl and won it before. Where the Packers haven't been to a Super Bowl since former Broncos QB John Elway won his first Super Bowl against the Packers. With all that said, it should be a great game.
Packers Offense vs Steelers Defense
Packers QB Aaron Rodgers is the key to success for the offense. Packers RB's James Starks and Brandon Jackson need to somehow find a way to get it going a little bit against the vaunting Steelers defense that's comprised of Pro Bowlers all around. Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy would probably be best advised to spread the Steelers out with WR's Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, James Jones and Jordy Nelson while using motions to help Rodgers figure out who is blitzing and who isn't blitzing. At the same time mixing in their wishbone type package with FB John Kuhn. The offensive line for the Packers really has to communicate well to keep Rodgers protected and try to open up holes for the running backs.
The Steelers defense really just needs to do what they do best in stopping the run first and keeping the Packers' receivers in front of them not allowing the big play. They'll most likely get to Aaron Rogers but they need to bring him down and not let him extend the play. They also can't get sucked in by play action allowing Rodgers to throw darts to his targets.
Steelers Offense vs Packers Defense
The Steelers offense starts with QB Ben Roethlisberger, but in this game it should start with RB Rashard Mendenhall with his balance of power, speed and vision. Green Bay's rush defense isn't that good even though they've only allowed 3.5 yard per carry during the playoffs. If Mendenhall just hits the hole fast he could easily have 5 yards a carry. Center Maurkice Pouncey would be a huge loss if he can't go Sunday but the Steelers always seem to have guys ready to step up if something happens. The Steelers receiving core isn't bad either with WR's Hines Ward, Mike Wallace and rookie Antonio Brown. The X factor is TE Heath Miller as he just makes plays every game for his team to win. Roethlisberger needs to know where Green Bay's Charles Woodson and Clay Matthews are lined up at all times.
Green Bay's defense first off just needs to stop the run. If they can't do that; it's going to be a long game. Defensive Coordinator Dom Capers must try to confuse the Steelers offensive line and use CB Charles Woodson any way possible. If and when the Packers defense does get to Roethlisberger they need to hold on for dear life while help arrives to bring him down. Otherwise Roethlisberger will escape and make big plays throwing downfield.
Special Teams
Green Bay has one of the best kickers in the game with Mason Crosby and a decent punter in Tim Masthay. Their return game is pretty good while their coverage teams are just ok.
Pittsburgh has a pretty good kicker in Shaun Suisham and an average punter in Jeremy Kapinos. The return game is ok for them while their coverage units are really good.
Coaching
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and Packers head coach Mike McCarthy are both great coaches. This is Tomlin's second Super Bowl where he is the head coach while McCarthy's first. Both teams have great defensive coordinators with the Steelers having Dick LeBeau and the Packers having Dom Capers. Both teams run a 3-4 defense. McCarthy also calls the plays for the Packers while Bruce Arians calls the offensive plays for the Steelers. The coaching edge has to go to the Steelers coaching staff.
Prediction: Steelers
34 Packers
28
