I in no way claim to be an expert. I like to think that I know a little about sports, and after 25 years of watching the NFL I think I have figured out the game. Obviously being a munchkin and weighing less than 150 pounds, I don't know what it is like inside an NFL huddle or locker room, but from what I've seen with my own eyes over the years, I think I've picked up some trends and nuances of the NFL. So without further adieu, here are my keys to the biggest game of them all.
First thing to take into consideration is that National Anthem singer, Christina Aguilera is a native of Pittsburgh. What a girl wants is another ring for the Rooneys.
1. The Quarterbacks
Obviously this subject has been touched upon early and often since this matchup was announced. Two of the NFLs best: one dominates in the statistical aspect of the game, another one dominates in crunch time and in big games.
I think this game comes down to, which of these guys is given a little time in the pocket. Yes, Rodgers has a very quick release, but he has to. His line doesn't afford him the kind of time that other elites like Manning and Brady have. I've stated before that Rodgers is the only other QB that could play behind the Steelers patchwork line.
Speaking of the Steelers' O-line, it consists of Jonathan Scott, Chris Kemoeatu, Doug Legursky, Ramon Foster, and Flozell Adams. How on earth did this unit make it all the way to the Super Bowl. This is the worst cast since the 2006 critically acclaimed film Employee of the Month.
Basically what I'm saying is that both QBs will get hit, and whichever one avoids turning the ball over will win.
Both guys can make plays and pick up first downs with their legs. So that story line is a push.
Hopefully for the Steelers, it takes Rodgers atleast a quarter to get acclimated to the game. It's unlike any other game he has ever played. Everyone in the world is watching. For the Steelers' sake lets hope it takes him a few series to settle in. To Ben, on the other hand, this is an old bag. He's been here twice, won twice, so he should be able to get off to a fairly decent start.
2. Troy's health
Where has he been the past two games? The answer is in center field. When on his game, Troy is as disruptive at the line of scrimmage as he is in the secondary. I can't imagine LeBeau developing a game plan in which his best player is left to covering crossing patterns in the deep secondary.
Good news for the Steelers is that Polamalu has had two weeks since he last suited up for the Jets, and Troy doesn't like to stay quiet too long, which means that he is due to make one of his patented game changing play.
3. Maurkice Pouncey's ankle
Yes every sports channel across the nation has covered this story, but I don't think it has been given enough coverage. So what we have here is a rookie Pro Bowl center, who has the intelligence and skills to play the most demanding position on the O-line at a Pro Bowl level, months after being removed from college. Yeah this guy is good.
You know who else is good, B.J. Raji. A former first round pick out of B.C., over the last few games he has shown why he is one of the elite at the position. He dominated a veteran stallwart like Olin Kreutz of Chicago a few weeks back and now he gets to go against a guy that is making his first NFL start at center. Yeah this could be an issue for the Steelers and their running game.
If Raji is able to clog the line of scrimmage and snuff out the running game, Mendenhall is quick, but most of his damage is done inside the tackles, then that means the Steelers will have to rely on the pass more and allow guys like Clay Matthews to pin back their ears and make attempts on Ben's life.
So what I am saying is losing Pouncey is a huge deal, no matter how much the Steelers are down playing it. Can the Big Legursky do it? I hope so, but I wouldn't count on it.
4. Wide Receiver speed.
The Pittsburgh receiving corps is fast. No not Hines Ward or Randle El, but I'm talking about Mike Wallace, Emanuel "in Space" Sanders, and Antonio Brown.
Green Bay knows these guys are fast, they have watched the tapes, played against Wallace last season, so they should be prepared for the speed right? Wrong, that's the thing about speed, you can watch it on tape as many times as you like, but it is a completely different story when it is coming right at you and leaves you in the dust.
Because Sanders and Brown are rookies, the Pack have never seen them live at game speed. I'm sure Ladarius Webb of Baltimore knew Brown was fast, I mean he did give him a huge cushion on 3rd and 19, and even started back pedaling before the ball was snapped, but before he could blink the rook out of Central Michigan was past him.
If I were the Steelers I would use this early. Go deep in the first possession. Try to make that big play to take the Pack's hopes down a few notches. Run an early play action, Green Bay knows the Steelers love to run the ball, and let the kids run their hearts out. Because it is early in the game, their adreneline will be pumping and they will probably be faster than they will be in the 3rd quarter. So after the fake to Mendenahall, Ben should perform his patented Pittsburgh Pump, (yep I just coined a new term, isn't alliteration great), and heave it down the field. If its caught great, if not and it falls incomplete, no harm, but the Packers will be thinking about it for the rest of the game. They will have to respect the speed and therefore open holes underneath.
5. Green Bay receivers
These guys are no slouches. They might not be as fast as the Steelers' young guns, but they could possibly be the best corps in the league. Jennings is an absolute stud and is always a threat to run an uncoverable slant near the goal line. Driver is the Hines Ward of Wisconsin, he's tough as nails, not afraid to go over the middle, and will make the impossible catch. James "Stone Hands" Jones is a good bet to drop atleast one ball, but he is also as likely to catch a deep bomb for a score. Can't hate on cracker Jordy Nelson. He's the biggest receiver in the game and is also capable of making the tough catch over the middle, along the sideline, or in the endzone. Then we have God's Gift Andrew Quarless. I watched this clown play for 4 years at Penn State, and while at times he looked like Shannon Sharpe, at other times he reminded me of Jerramy Stevens.
Just imagine if the Pack still had a healthy JerMichael Finley. Their passing game would be unstoppable. The Steelers' particularly Timmons and Polamalu are lucky that that beast is sidelined.
If the Packers decide to abandon the run and go with 5 receivers, then the Steelers will be in trouble. They aren't necessarily known for having the most stout secondary, and having to bring in the likes of William Gay and Anthony Madison when Aaron Rodgers is throwing darts all around the field could be the end of Pittsburgh. Also when in the dime, that means some of the Steelers' best defensive personnel, Casey Hampton for instance, will be forced to stand around on the sideline. Let's hope this doesn't become a full throttle aerial assault by the Packers.
6. Running game
So we know that Green Bay who have had trouble establishing the run all season, will struggle to run on the Steelers' top-ranked rushing defense. That isn't even up for debate, thus making the scenerio stated above, a real possibility.
The Steelers on the other hand have been able to run the ball all season, and Mendenhall has been playing well this postseason. If the Steelers can run the ball and keep Rodgers off the field, that will go a long way towards winning the game. The less Rodgers is on the field, the less comfortable he can get on the biggest stage in sports, all which bode well for the Steelers. A running game also sets up the play action which can utilize the speed on the outside. But as I said earlier, it comes down to how well the Big Legursky can handle Raji, Jenkins, and Pickett.
If the running game begins to falter, the Steelers should take a page out of the Patriots game plan and use the backs and tight ends in the short to intermediate passing game. I have a feeling that Mewelde Moore and Heath Miller will play a big role in the outcome of this game.
7. Prediction
Seeing as how I am a Steelers fan I obviously want to see the boys from the 'burgh bring home a seventh Lombardi, but if I were to bet on this game, I would go with the favored Pack and lay the 2 1/2. Either way I would end up a winner. It is a great hedge bet. The Steelers win and I am happy. The Packers win and my wallet is a little more full.
But I'll let Wiz Khalifa and Snoop tell you what team will win the Super Bowl.
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