Super Bowl XLV preview: The Pack is back
They say everything’s bigger in Texas and this year’s Super Bowl isn’t likely to be an exception to that. Super Bowl XLV features two of the most recognizable and historic franchises in the NFL as the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers will meet for the Lombardi Trophy in Dallas, Texas.
If you’re into high-scoring football games, this one probably isn’t going to be up your alley. The Steelers and Packers ranked first and third respectively in total yards allowed per game this season. Between the two teams they have the top three defensive players in the league on their rosters, according to the Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year voting (an award which Pittsburgh’s Troy Polamalu won). In fact, with Polamalu winning the award this week, the past three recipients of the Defensive Player of the Year Award will be playing in this game — Green Bay’s Charles Woodson (2009) and Pittsburgh’s James Harrison (2008) being the other two. The Packers and Steelers were two of the best defensive teams during the regular season, and they’ve been even better in the playoffs.
And for as much talent as there is on the defensive side of the ball in this game, believe it or not, there’s almost as much on the offensive side. The Green Bay Packers, led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers, owned a top five passing attack during the regular season, averaging over 257 passing yards per game. Pittsburgh isn’t too shabby on the offensive side either. Led by running back Rashard Mendenhall (and aided by the deep pass threat combination of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and wide receiver Mike Wallace), the Steelers managed to run for more than 120 yards per game during the regular season.
A clash between two of the NFL’s best defenses stirs up the popular paradox; what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object?
Key factor: The Steelers and Packers are pretty evenly matched on paper. Often times when two dominant defenses get together, the game is decided by a special teams play. For this match up, that special teams play doesn’t necessarily have to be a kick or punt return for a touchdown either. Field position could be a huge part of this game and one bad punt by either side could give their opponents a huge advantage.
The Packers have a solid edge in the kicking game while the Steelers will be without their starting punter (and one of the best in the NFL) Daniel Sepulveda. Taking his place is former Packer Jeremy Kapinos who averaged a not-so-great 41.7 yards per punt this season. And Pittsburgh’s place kicker, Shaun Suisham, isn’t exactly Mr. Reliable either (ask any Redskins fan). Though, to be fair, he did convert 14 of 15 field goal attempts during the regular season. (I can’t believe I just typed that a couple of kickers could decide the Super Bowl).
Outcome: This year’s Super Bowl could be one for the ages. While Pittsburgh tries for their seventh Super Bowl title in franchise history, I believe it will be the Green Bay Packers who take home their fourth. Final score? I’ll take the Pack by ten, 27-17.