Mike Tomlin of the Steelers will be coaching in his second Super Bowl.by Armaan Ahluwalia
This is going to be one memorable Superbowl. With the teams which will be lining up this Sunday in Dallas for the 45th Superbowl, we are in for a treat. Both teams are rightly deserving for making it this far, as their seasons have been special. Superbowl 45 has some of the most storied franchises in NFL history.
Coming from the AFC, the Pittsburgh Steelers have won the Lombardi trophy a record 6 times. They have also had extreme success as of late making it to the Superbowl 3 times in the last 6 years. The NFC sends the Green Bay Packers who are no stranger to this game as their famous head coach’s name is on the Superbowl Trophy. Winning the Lombardi trophy 3 times and twice in the first years of the Superbowl. These teams do not lack All-stars, Hall of Famers, or Legendary Stadiums. This is a meeting of dominant and storied franchises and where else to meet but in a brand new billion dollar stadium in North Texas.
Pittsburgh Steelers: These steelers are lead by head coach Mike Tomlin and legendary defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau. They managed to earn a birth in the big game after defeating the New York Jets in a dominating first half but fell apart barely able to hold on to the game in the final seconds. Don’t let that second half performance fool you, these steelers are legit. Their amazing record through out the season could have been better had Big Ben or Troy Polamalu not been injured.
Offense: Their offense is lead by troubled Ben Roethlisberger, who was suspended for the first 4 games of the year. He rebounded to come back and have a great season leading them to the final game. Rashard Mendenhall was a great power running back for them this year as he matches power and speed with a great balance. They have a solid receiving core which is lead by Hines Ward, the speedy Mike Wallace, Antwaan Randle El, and Emmanuel Sanders. Their offensive line has had troubles all year, but managed to grind out games. They are lead by rookie all-star Maurkice Pouncey who was injured during the Championship game and will not be playing in the Superbowl. This is a huge blow to Steelers as they have had so many injuries this year and this is another crucial one.
Defense: This is one of the best, if not the best defenses in the NFL. These guys carry the stereotypical Pittsburgh tag line ‘the steel curtain’. These guys coached by one of the greatest minds in the game has shown that they are for real. They play hard, physical and smash mouth defense. With so many all-stars and great players on this defense it makes it hard to get any yards against them. Casey Hampton, James Harrison, LaMarr Woodley, James Farrior, Troy Polamalu, Ike Taylor, and the list goes on and on. These guys are legit and have shut down so many offenses. LeBeau brings players from all over and creates pressure all around the QB confusing him.
Green Bay Packers: The Packers are lead by coach Mike McCarthy and defensive coach Dom Capers who has lead these Packers back to the postseason and a trip to the Superbowl doing in stylish fashion, beating the #3, #1, and #2 seed in order. Lead by MVP candidate Aaron Rodgers and a stingy defense which doesn’t get much credit these Packers have come out of the shadow that Brett Favre made. This team is on a hot stretch and is dangerous in every aspect of the ball.
Offense: This is clearly one of the best offenses in the league. Their ability to score loads of points, so fast is amazing. Lead by their All-Star QB Aaron Rodgers they lead a deadly attack. Rodgers ability to avoid the pressure as the pocket collapses is unreal. He reads defenses very well and has a cannon for an arm. Their running game was a concern at the beginning of the year as RB Ryan Grant went down early, and they scrambled to find a replacement. They found late round draft pick James Starks who has stepped in and dominated this postseason and has been crucial for the Packers ability to throw the ball successfully. They have Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, James Jones and Jordy Nelson catching the balls all day as Rodgers gets it to them. This is arguably the best receiving core in the league. Their offensive line has been solid as they have tried to rebuild it over the past few years and it has showed slowly.
Defense: This defense does not get a lot of credit. Even though they rank very high, they still don’t get the credit they deserve. Regardless, they have some amazing all-stars on the that side of the ball. Their 3-4 defense lead by mastermind Dom Capers has definitely helped. Their D-Line is lead by the freezer, B.J. Raji, who is eating up O-Lines all day. If you make it past the D-Line you have a ferocious Linebacking core which is lead by Clay Matthews, and A.J. Hawk. Their secondary is not too shabby either with Charles Woodson, Nick Collins, and rookie Tramon Williams.
Key Match-ups to watch: When the Packers have the ball. Aaron Rodgers vs. Steelers front 7. Can the front 7 get to Rodgers, and can they tackle him. That will need to be answered for the Steelers to come out with a victory. Also the Green Bay Receivers vs. Steelers DB’s. Green Bay’s Offensive X – Factor is RB James Starks. Pittsburgh’s Defensive X – Factor is Troy Polamalu. When the Steelers have the ball. Steelers O-Line vs. Green Bay front 7. The one tipping point for the Steelers is their offensive line, as they have had problems all year and especially as Big Ben spent a lot of time on the ground. If they Steelers can get a good push against Raji and the blitzing Matthews they should have a good chance. Steelers Offensive X – Factor is Heath Miller. Green Bay’s Defensive X – Factor is Clay Matthews.
Prediction: This game like I said is going to be tough, smash mouth, back and forth and close. These two teams have the chance to win the Superbowl simply because they are great teams with lots of talent. On the offensive side of the ball the Packers have the edge with a slightly more consistent QB, a great WR core and a solid O-line. The Steelers have a great QB who has 2 rings and a good running game and good receivers. The Steelers have the edge with the defense as they have so many all-stars and talent everywhere. The Packers have a great scheme defense with talent everywhere as well. The one thing that is the only huge difference between both teams is that the Steelers have a large chunk of the roster which has done this before, where the Packers only have 2 players who have been to the big game. I am going against the consensus and picking the Steelers. This game could come down to a last minute field goal, making the difference. I like Big Ben to get it done and with a solid defense to shut down Aaron Rodgers.
Coming from the AFC, the Pittsburgh Steelers have won the Lombardi trophy a record 6 times. They have also had extreme success as of late making it to the Superbowl 3 times in the last 6 years. The NFC sends the Green Bay Packers who are no stranger to this game as their famous head coach’s name is on the Superbowl Trophy. Winning the Lombardi trophy 3 times and twice in the first years of the Superbowl. These teams do not lack All-stars, Hall of Famers, or Legendary Stadiums. This is a meeting of dominant and storied franchises and where else to meet but in a brand new billion dollar stadium in North Texas.
Pittsburgh Steelers: These steelers are lead by head coach Mike Tomlin and legendary defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau. They managed to earn a birth in the big game after defeating the New York Jets in a dominating first half but fell apart barely able to hold on to the game in the final seconds. Don’t let that second half performance fool you, these steelers are legit. Their amazing record through out the season could have been better had Big Ben or Troy Polamalu not been injured.
Offense: Their offense is lead by troubled Ben Roethlisberger, who was suspended for the first 4 games of the year. He rebounded to come back and have a great season leading them to the final game. Rashard Mendenhall was a great power running back for them this year as he matches power and speed with a great balance. They have a solid receiving core which is lead by Hines Ward, the speedy Mike Wallace, Antwaan Randle El, and Emmanuel Sanders. Their offensive line has had troubles all year, but managed to grind out games. They are lead by rookie all-star Maurkice Pouncey who was injured during the Championship game and will not be playing in the Superbowl. This is a huge blow to Steelers as they have had so many injuries this year and this is another crucial one.
Defense: This is one of the best, if not the best defenses in the NFL. These guys carry the stereotypical Pittsburgh tag line ‘the steel curtain’. These guys coached by one of the greatest minds in the game has shown that they are for real. They play hard, physical and smash mouth defense. With so many all-stars and great players on this defense it makes it hard to get any yards against them. Casey Hampton, James Harrison, LaMarr Woodley, James Farrior, Troy Polamalu, Ike Taylor, and the list goes on and on. These guys are legit and have shut down so many offenses. LeBeau brings players from all over and creates pressure all around the QB confusing him.
Green Bay Packers: The Packers are lead by coach Mike McCarthy and defensive coach Dom Capers who has lead these Packers back to the postseason and a trip to the Superbowl doing in stylish fashion, beating the #3, #1, and #2 seed in order. Lead by MVP candidate Aaron Rodgers and a stingy defense which doesn’t get much credit these Packers have come out of the shadow that Brett Favre made. This team is on a hot stretch and is dangerous in every aspect of the ball.
Offense: This is clearly one of the best offenses in the league. Their ability to score loads of points, so fast is amazing. Lead by their All-Star QB Aaron Rodgers they lead a deadly attack. Rodgers ability to avoid the pressure as the pocket collapses is unreal. He reads defenses very well and has a cannon for an arm. Their running game was a concern at the beginning of the year as RB Ryan Grant went down early, and they scrambled to find a replacement. They found late round draft pick James Starks who has stepped in and dominated this postseason and has been crucial for the Packers ability to throw the ball successfully. They have Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, James Jones and Jordy Nelson catching the balls all day as Rodgers gets it to them. This is arguably the best receiving core in the league. Their offensive line has been solid as they have tried to rebuild it over the past few years and it has showed slowly.
Defense: This defense does not get a lot of credit. Even though they rank very high, they still don’t get the credit they deserve. Regardless, they have some amazing all-stars on the that side of the ball. Their 3-4 defense lead by mastermind Dom Capers has definitely helped. Their D-Line is lead by the freezer, B.J. Raji, who is eating up O-Lines all day. If you make it past the D-Line you have a ferocious Linebacking core which is lead by Clay Matthews, and A.J. Hawk. Their secondary is not too shabby either with Charles Woodson, Nick Collins, and rookie Tramon Williams.
Key Match-ups to watch: When the Packers have the ball. Aaron Rodgers vs. Steelers front 7. Can the front 7 get to Rodgers, and can they tackle him. That will need to be answered for the Steelers to come out with a victory. Also the Green Bay Receivers vs. Steelers DB’s. Green Bay’s Offensive X – Factor is RB James Starks. Pittsburgh’s Defensive X – Factor is Troy Polamalu. When the Steelers have the ball. Steelers O-Line vs. Green Bay front 7. The one tipping point for the Steelers is their offensive line, as they have had problems all year and especially as Big Ben spent a lot of time on the ground. If they Steelers can get a good push against Raji and the blitzing Matthews they should have a good chance. Steelers Offensive X – Factor is Heath Miller. Green Bay’s Defensive X – Factor is Clay Matthews.
Prediction: This game like I said is going to be tough, smash mouth, back and forth and close. These two teams have the chance to win the Superbowl simply because they are great teams with lots of talent. On the offensive side of the ball the Packers have the edge with a slightly more consistent QB, a great WR core and a solid O-line. The Steelers have a great QB who has 2 rings and a good running game and good receivers. The Steelers have the edge with the defense as they have so many all-stars and talent everywhere. The Packers have a great scheme defense with talent everywhere as well. The one thing that is the only huge difference between both teams is that the Steelers have a large chunk of the roster which has done this before, where the Packers only have 2 players who have been to the big game. I am going against the consensus and picking the Steelers. This game could come down to a last minute field goal, making the difference. I like Big Ben to get it done and with a solid defense to shut down Aaron Rodgers.
Pittsburgh 20 – Green Bay 17
Armaan Ahluwali writes for the Dal Gazette and www.1inthestands.wordpress.com. Follow him on twitter @therealbrindian.
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