Jerryville is welcoming two of the most storied franchises in all of sports as Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas (finally got it right) will host Super Bowl 45. Kickoff is Sunday at 5:29 CST. Fox will telecast it with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman on the call. Attendance should be over 100,000
I’ve thought about this one long and hard. Here’s what I came up with:
Key players for Pittsburgh:
1. Ben Rothlisberger: 29-51 (57%) for 359 yards, two tds and two ints. His stats aren’t overwhelming in the postseason, but if you watched the two playoff games, he won both games for his team. He had the huge fourth and 20 throw to Antonio Brown for 58 yards against the Ravens that led to the game winning touchdown in a Steelers 31-24 victory. Against the Jets in the AFC Championship game, he made the key third and six throw to Antonio Brown again to ice the game as the Steelers moved to their eighth Super Bowl with a 24-19 victory. The Steelers are 7-1 in the Super Bowl. Rothlisberger is 9-2 in the postseason. I did hear that he was out last night or the night before doing it up at a karaoke bar. Hopefully, for the Steelers, he’s focused. Because when he is, he’s as good a clutch player as there is.
2. Troy Polamalu: The Steelers outstanding safety. Been hobbled by an Achilles injury during the playoffs, but has had two weeks to heal, so he could be a major factor. Blitzing, causing fumbles, making interceptions, Polamalu seems to come up with a big play at the most crucial time in a game. He could be a difference maker once again this Sunday.
3. James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley: The linebackers are the epitome of fierceness and toughness. Harrison took over in the second half of the Ravens game. He is tough and one of the best athletes at linebacker in football. Has three sacks in playoffs. Woodley, another standout, has two.
4. Heath Miller: A real weapon at tight end. Like Polamalu can make difference making plays. Always catches the ball at clutch times. Has seven catches for 77 yards and a td in postseason.
5. Hines Ward: Just a winner. Caught five passes for 39 yards and a touchdown and is the best blocking wide receiver in football. Some have called him dirty, but I think he is highly effective.
Green Bay:
1. Aaron Rodgers: 66-93 (71%) for 790 yards, six tds and two ints in playoffs. Has a qb rating of 109. Highest of all time in postseason. He torched the Falcons in the first playoff game and had his way with the Bears in the first half, but the Bears did shut him down in the second half. Going against a great defense which will blitz, but the Steelers secondary, besides Polamalu, who is somewhat injured, is vulnerable. If Rodgers has his way, Green Bay could light up the Steelers secondary.
2. Clay Matthews, Jr.: Was dominant in the regular season with 13 sacks. Does not have a sack in the playoffs, but has been a major disruptive force. He could cause Rothlisberger some problems and take some pressure off Packers’ secondary, which is very good by the way.
3. Charles Woodson: Another disruptive force. The veteran can blitz and make big plays from his corner position.
4. B.J. Raji: Is a dominant force in the middle of the defensive line. With Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey questionable at best for Steelers, Raji could have his way with a hobbled Pouncey or his backup Doug Lagursky.
5. Tramon Williams: Three interceptions in the postseason. The Packers secondary was second in the league in ints with 24 and lead the league in the postseason with 6. Williams and Sam Shields are weapons in the defensive backfield along with former Alabama standout Charlie Peprah, Woodson and safety Nick Collins.
6. Greg Jennings and Donald Driver: Two of the best receivers in football. You can throw Jordy Nelson and James Jones in that mix. Jennings leads the Pack with 17 catches for 239 yards and seven catches for over 20 yards. Nelson has 12 catches for 146, Driver 12-141 with four over 20 yards and Jones had six for 94 with two tds.
Final Analysis: Two great defenses and two great quarterbacks go at it. Pittsburgh led the league in rush defense; Green Bay was 18th, so Rashard Mendenhall could be a factor for the Steelers running the football. I like the Steelers defense, their running game and, of course, Rothlisberger, to do well, but think Eodgers can light up the Steelers secondary. Matthews and that vaunted Pack secondary will be effective against Rothlisberger. Raji should be a major factor against a banged up center position for the Steelers. Like what Mike McCarthy has done with Green Bay battling through a ton of injuries. This is a tough one, but I’m going to go with Rodgers and the Pack.
Packers 24, Steelers 21
(Aaron Rodgers and Ben Rothlisberger will try to lead their storied franchises to the ultimate success Sunday.)