If you know me, I am a fan of every sports team in the Atlanta area. But the Falcons are the team that is near and dear to my heart because I have covered the team for Score Atlanta since 2006 and have been a fan since I was little.
So when they lost to Green Bay nearly three weeks ago in the playoffs, I was disappointed because I thought they would at least make it to the NFC Championship. But, I realized the Falcons are in a better place than they have ever been and if they continue to improve, they will win the Super Bowl in the next three years.
With that said, it’s time for the official Atlanta Sports Guy Super Bowl preview between the Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers. I like the matchup because both teams have played at a high level all season long considering all the distractions, suspensions and injuries they had to deal with.
Green Bay comes into the game as a favorite by Vegas and the general public. Their road to Dallas was not easy because they had to win their final game of the regular season against the Chicago Bears to claim the final playoff spot in the NFC. Then they defeated Philadelphia, the Falcons (ugh) and the Bears again. So, a lot of media outlets love the way this team has played and they think QB Aaron Rodgers is the next big thing. Rodgers has been outstanding this postseason, throwing for six touchdowns and two interceptions in the three games. He has even rushed for two scores and has a QB rating of 109.2. In order for the Packers to win, Rodgers has to be on top of his game against an aggressive Steelers defensive unit.
But the Packers defense is not a slouch either. From playmakers such as B.J. Raji, A.J. Hawk, Clay Matthews and 2009 Defensive Player of the Year Charles Woodson, they Packers defense has been one of the best in the NFL all season long and they will try to end their season by taking down Ben Roethlisberger and company. That won’t be easy, but they were able to shut down Michael Vick and the Eagles as well as Matt Ryan and the Falcons. So they’ll be up for the challenge.
Much talk has been made about the Steelers defense, that’s fair because they have been one of the elite units in the NFL for many years. But the offense can score with the best of them, averaging 23 points per game, and they have done it by running the ball with Rashad Mendenhall and throwing with Big Ben. As much as some people don’t like Roethlisberger, he is a gamer and knows how to play, and win in big games. In order for the Steelers to come away with another Super Bowl win, Big Ben will have to avoid the pressure and he can do it by handing it to Mendenhall who rushed for over 1,200 yards this season.
As far as the Pittsburgh defense goes, they are going to have their hands full with Rodgers and the rest of the Green Bay offense. However, they do have their share of playmakers and there are two players to watch for Pittsburgh. Troy Polamalu and James Harrison are the two players that need to have big games in order for Pittsburgh to win. Polamalu is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year and James Harrison won the same award in 2008. It was also the same year the Steelers won the Super Bowl, defeating the Arizona Cardinals in one of the better Super Bowls I’ve seen. If those two are playing at a high level, Rodgers will have hard time getting anything going which will be a problem for Green Bay.
So what is my final analysis of the game? I think whoever gets off to that fast start will win. I love the way Green Bay has played throughout the playoffs and they deserve to be the favorite. But there is something about Pittsburgh that I like. From their offense, defense, special teams and coaching, they are just solid from top to bottom. I’m not saying Green Bay isn’t, but there is a reason Pittsburgh is going for its third title in six years. And I think when it’s all said and done, the Steelers are going to hold the Lombardi Trophy for the seventh time in their storied history.
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