The Cobra
02-06-2011, 02:42 PM
as per tsn
And then there were two.
A year's worth of blood, sweat and tears now comes down to a single game. The countless hours spent in the gym or on the training field or watching game film will all seem worthwhile for the one team that lifts the Lombardi Trophy over their collective heads on Sunday.
Meanwhile the losing team will lament what went wrong and what changes will be necessary to take that one extra step next year.
Super Bowl XLV in Dallas will be a showcase of two of the NFL's elite franchises as the publicly owned Green Bay Packers take on a Pittsburgh Steelers team that was founded in 1932 by Art Rooney, and continues to be run by members of his family to this very day.
While the Steelers are the most successful team in the Super Bowl era with six titles, the Packers are the greatest team in professional football history with a record 12 World Championships, including three since the AFL-NFL Merger of 1970. The Steelers last brought home the title two years ago by beating the Arizona Cardinals, while the Packers last claimed the crown in 1997.
Both sides are heavily reliant upon their respective defences, with NFL defensive player of the year Troy Polamalu anchoring the 'Steel Curtain' while defensive player of the year runner-up Clay Matthews handles similar duties with the Pack.
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger goes in search for his third Super Bowl title in just his seventh season in the league. It has been a roller-coaster season for Roethlisberger, who was suspended the first four games of the season for violating the league's conduct policy. He has a veteran receiving corps featuring established threats such as Hines Ward and Heath Miller, as well as deep threat Mike Wallace who can break a game open with his speed. In addition, Rashard Mendenhall has developed into a game-breaker that has the ability to ram the ball down the throat of opposing defences.
The Packers have a star of their own under centre in Aaron Rodgers. Over the past few seasons, Rodgers has emerged from the shadow of Brett Favre to establish himself as one of the truly elite quarterbacks in the league. The only thing missing from his resume heading in to this season was success in the post-season. He is now one game away from immortality in Green Bay and perhaps shaking the 'Cheeseheads' memory of Number 4 permanently.
While the Packers have struggled all year running the ball, James Starks has emerged into a star in the making during the post-season, leading all rushers with 263 yards from scrimmage. However he will be forced to deal with the top-rated run defence in the league on Sunday.
Fortunately for the Packers, their receivers are top notch with the likes of Greg Jennings and Donald Driver. While All-Pro tight end Jermichael Finley was lost early in the season, Rodgers should still be able to spread the ball around the field with players like James Jones and Jordy Nelson seeing an increased workload.
The Steelers have some Canadian content on special teams where Wallaceburg, Ontario's Shaun Suisham replaced long-time Steelers kicker Jeff Reed mid-season. Suisham has been stellar for Pittsburgh since then, converting 16 of 18 field goal attempts.
The Packers will respond with veteran Mason Crosby, who went 24 of 31 this season in the difficult kicking environment of Lambeau Field. With the game indoors, weather will not be a factor in the kicking game.
On the sidelines, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin goes in search of his second title in just four seasons, while the Packers' Mike McCarthy has never been to the big game.
So who ya got?
Las Vegas has the Packers as a 2.5 point favourite to bring home the title, and Green Bay has been the hottest NFL team down the stretch, having won their last five games going back to the end of the regular season.
On Thursday, TSN's NFL football insider Chris Schultz picked the Packers to win and cover, however it must be noted that the 'Big Man' went 122-130-13 against the spread this season.
You've read what we have to say; now it's your turn. Who will win Super Bowl XLV, the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Green Bay Packers? As always, it's Your Call!
And then there were two.
A year's worth of blood, sweat and tears now comes down to a single game. The countless hours spent in the gym or on the training field or watching game film will all seem worthwhile for the one team that lifts the Lombardi Trophy over their collective heads on Sunday.
Meanwhile the losing team will lament what went wrong and what changes will be necessary to take that one extra step next year.
Super Bowl XLV in Dallas will be a showcase of two of the NFL's elite franchises as the publicly owned Green Bay Packers take on a Pittsburgh Steelers team that was founded in 1932 by Art Rooney, and continues to be run by members of his family to this very day.
While the Steelers are the most successful team in the Super Bowl era with six titles, the Packers are the greatest team in professional football history with a record 12 World Championships, including three since the AFL-NFL Merger of 1970. The Steelers last brought home the title two years ago by beating the Arizona Cardinals, while the Packers last claimed the crown in 1997.
Both sides are heavily reliant upon their respective defences, with NFL defensive player of the year Troy Polamalu anchoring the 'Steel Curtain' while defensive player of the year runner-up Clay Matthews handles similar duties with the Pack.
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger goes in search for his third Super Bowl title in just his seventh season in the league. It has been a roller-coaster season for Roethlisberger, who was suspended the first four games of the season for violating the league's conduct policy. He has a veteran receiving corps featuring established threats such as Hines Ward and Heath Miller, as well as deep threat Mike Wallace who can break a game open with his speed. In addition, Rashard Mendenhall has developed into a game-breaker that has the ability to ram the ball down the throat of opposing defences.
The Packers have a star of their own under centre in Aaron Rodgers. Over the past few seasons, Rodgers has emerged from the shadow of Brett Favre to establish himself as one of the truly elite quarterbacks in the league. The only thing missing from his resume heading in to this season was success in the post-season. He is now one game away from immortality in Green Bay and perhaps shaking the 'Cheeseheads' memory of Number 4 permanently.
While the Packers have struggled all year running the ball, James Starks has emerged into a star in the making during the post-season, leading all rushers with 263 yards from scrimmage. However he will be forced to deal with the top-rated run defence in the league on Sunday.
Fortunately for the Packers, their receivers are top notch with the likes of Greg Jennings and Donald Driver. While All-Pro tight end Jermichael Finley was lost early in the season, Rodgers should still be able to spread the ball around the field with players like James Jones and Jordy Nelson seeing an increased workload.
The Steelers have some Canadian content on special teams where Wallaceburg, Ontario's Shaun Suisham replaced long-time Steelers kicker Jeff Reed mid-season. Suisham has been stellar for Pittsburgh since then, converting 16 of 18 field goal attempts.
The Packers will respond with veteran Mason Crosby, who went 24 of 31 this season in the difficult kicking environment of Lambeau Field. With the game indoors, weather will not be a factor in the kicking game.
On the sidelines, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin goes in search of his second title in just four seasons, while the Packers' Mike McCarthy has never been to the big game.
So who ya got?
Las Vegas has the Packers as a 2.5 point favourite to bring home the title, and Green Bay has been the hottest NFL team down the stretch, having won their last five games going back to the end of the regular season.
On Thursday, TSN's NFL football insider Chris Schultz picked the Packers to win and cover, however it must be noted that the 'Big Man' went 122-130-13 against the spread this season.
You've read what we have to say; now it's your turn. Who will win Super Bowl XLV, the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Green Bay Packers? As always, it's Your Call!