Super Bowl Preview

Super Bowl Preview - Green Bay (-2.5) vs Pittsburgh, Over/Under 44.5

The Super Bowl is just two days away and it should be a great game between two of the NFL's most storied franchises. The main thing that you notice when you watch these two teams play is their dominating defense. The Packers and Steelers are coached by the league's best defensive coordinators, Dom Capers and Dick Labaugh. Pittsburgh led the NFL in defensive points allowed (14.5 ppg) and rushing yards allowed at just under 63 yds/game. The new Steel Curtain defense is led by Defensive Player of the Year, safety Troy Polamalu, who had 7 interceptions and numerous big plays. LB James Harrison led the team with 10.5 sacks and made the infamous 100-yard pick for a TD against the Cardinals in their last Super Bowl to turn the game around. I think that we all have to get used to the fact that the Steelers make big plays on defense. Remember the score in the AFC Title Game against the Jets right before halftime with the Sanchez sack and William Gay fumble return for the touchdown. That is exactly what the Dick Labaugh's defense does, generates pressure and forces the other team to make costly mistakes.
The less heralded Packer defense finished second in the league in points allowed (15 ppg) and fifth in total yards allowed per game. Dom Caper's defense is led by LB Clay Mathews, who had 13.5 sacks in just his second NFL season. The Packer defense completely shut down the Chicago Bear's offense in the NFC Title game until late in the fourth quarter. Their defensive line dominated the Bears up the middle with DTs B.J. Raji and Cullen Jenkins. This will cause a major problem for Pittsburgh, who will probably be without all-pro center Maurkice Pouncey. If Raji and Jenkins shut down the running lanes for Mendenhall then Pittsburgh will be forced to pass the ball to move the chains. Green Bay also has a better secondary than Pittsburgh, with CBs Charles Woodson and Tramon Williams playing phenomenal.
On offense, Pittsburgh is the same team that it was in the 1970's. They are gonna try to run the ball down your throat then look deep to make big plays. Rashard Mendenhall had a lot of success against the Jets in the first half by being patient with his blocking then bursting up field when the holes opened up. The Steelers will need a repeat performance out of him on Sunday to win this game. Roethlisberger depends on the running game to open up space for the passing attack. The Steelers are a run first team that will try to dominate the clock with long methodical drives. Like Lynn Swann in the 70's, the Steelers have excellent speed on the outside with WR Mike Wallace. He could be the difference maker, they need to give him the opportunity to burn Green Bay deep. If Pittsburgh can control the ball and find Wallace deep then they will win.
After lingering in the shadows of Lambeau Field, Aaron Rodgers has now carried the Packer offense into Super Bowl Forty-Five. Rodgers has played ridiculously good when given the chance. Coach Mike McCarthy has tried to slow him down once they have taken the lead in all the playoff games this year, and if he does that again it will send the Packers home from Dallas in defeat. Yes, James Starks has played decently for a rookie who has hurt for most of the season, but don't let him fool you into wasting crucial plays by running the ball. Green Bay will need to spread the field with receivers and air the ball out just like New England did in Week 10, when they won 39-26 in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh can stop the run but has struggled in pass defense. If Rodgers throws the ball over 35 times then the Packers will win. Nobody in the Steeler secondary can stop WR Greg Jennings, who torched the Bears for 8 grabs for 130 yards. I just hope that McCarthy realizes this and stays aggressive. I actually think he will.
All the intangibles all point to Pittsburgh. They have the experience and the edge in coaching. Mike Tomlin isn't the best head coach in the NFL, but you gotta love his style and passion. If it comes down to coaching then the Packers will be in trouble. The Packers have the better players and the better special teams game, especially at kicker with Mason Crosby. I actually like the Packers in a great game.

Prediction: Green Bay 24, Pittsburgh 20
**So taking the Under 44.5 and the Packers to cover and win the game!! I am going with talent over grit and experience. Tough call but you gotta believe. Goodluck and have a great weekend, it should be fun.