Steelers Packers Super Bowl XLV Pick
Pittsburgh Steelers VS. Green Bay Packers (-2.5)
This could be a Super Bowl for the ages, and will likely be the most highly watched Super Bowl ever. It would only be fitting, as this years Super Bowl features two of the most storied franchises in the NFL. The Steelers and Packers combined have won 9 Super Bowl titles, with the Steelers winning 6 titles, which is the most titles won by a team.
There are a lot of similarities and great storylines between these two teams. For one, they both sport two of the best quarterbacks in  the game that have very similar styles of play. Both Big Ben and Rodgers can stand in the pocket calm and collectively, avoid sacks and gaining yards with their feet, as well as having pin point accuracy. For Roethlisberger, this Super Bowl stuff is nothing new as hes 2 for 2 in the big game. For Rodgers, this is new stuff, but it shouldn't really phase him because of the numbers he has produced thus far in the playoffs, and he's been able to do it all on the road.
On the defensive side of the ball, these two teams have ranked in the top 5 in total defense for much of the year, and have both the winner and runner-up for the defensive player of the year award. Troy Polamalu, despite missing two games at the end of the season with an Achilles injury had 63 tackles, 7 interceptions, and a touchdown won the award. Clay Matthews fell just two votes shy by posting 60 tackles and 13.5 sacks, with an interception and a touchdown. Matthews has also been a force in the playoffs by posting 3.5 sacks in three games.
Expert Pick: Both teams are more than capable of winning this Super Bowl, as the Steelers will have to lean more heavily on the run against the Packers, and the Packers will have to lean heavily on the pass with Rodgers. I think the Packers can shut down the run and hold Big Ben enough in this one. Rodgers has been hot over the last 5 must win games, and I got to take him again in this one with the point spread being under 3.
Final Score: Packers 27 Steelers 24
|
