Packers vs. Steelers

Before I get into this whole preview and stuff, I want to share a little knowledge with you that I learned yesterday. We all know the Packers' logo, the big "G." But do you know what it stands for? Hint: It doesn't stand for "Green" Bay. George Braisher created the logo in 1961. He was the Packers' equipment manager at the time. While pretty much everyone thinks the "G" stands for "Green" Bay, they're all wrong. It stands for "Greatness." I mean, we all know that 12 NFL championships (3 Super Bowls) means greatness, but I didn't know it was literally ingrained in our logo and history. Thanks to Tiki Barber for enlightening me.
Now, on to the preview/prediction...
I sit here, wearing my Rodgers jersey. I think he's going to be a big difference-maker in this game, spreading the ball around effectively. After a subpar game against the Bears, I think Aaron Rodgers will go off indoors against a vulnerable Steelers secondary (pretty much their only defensive weakness). He put up 31/36, 366 yds, 3 TD, against the Falcons indoors at Atlanta. While the Steelers have a much better defense, their secondary is still lacking, and I see Rodgers taking advantage of that. I don't think 260+ yards and 2+ TDs is out of the question for him. He's got the best receiving corps in the league to work with, and Troy Polamalu can't do everything.
I think James Starks will open up the passing game for Rodgers, making it easier for him to pick apart the defense. Starks has been good, but not great, this postseason. All that really matters is that he's gotten 22+ carries in each postseason game. He's averaging 3.8 yards per rush, which is above average. It's the attempts that count, though. The Steelers have the best rush defense in the league, but as long as Starks continues his decisive rushing style, he'll get a good amount of carries, which means it'll keep the Steelers defense honest, which means the Steelers cornerbacks will be picked apart by Rodgers, which will lead to a great day for him.
I think the biggest offensive factor will be the Packers receivers, though. They will be a lot for the Pittsburgh secondary to handle. Jordy Nelson and James Jones could both be a #2 receiver for most NFL teams, and they're #3 and #4 on a very talented Packers receiving corps. Even Brett Swain is reliable when he's called upon. Granted, he's only got 6 catches for 72 yards on the season (no catches since Halloween), but he never drops the ball when it's thrown to him. I hope he gets himself a catch in the Big Game.
I see either Jones or Nelson breaking out and having a large role in the outcome of the game. I think it'll be Nelson over Jones. Jones made that spectacular TD grab against the Bears in the NFC title game; it's Jordy's turn now. I think both Nelson and Greg Jennings will get a TD catch, and I see Nelson compiling at least 60 yards on 4+ catches.
It's almost always a player you don't expect who comes up with a big play (or plays) in recent games for the Packers, usually on the defensive side of the ball. In the Super Bowl, however, it'll be Jordy Nelson scoring the deciding touchdown.
Big Ben Rapistberger will have his hands full on Sunday. Every play starts with the center, and that's where the Steelers will start to show weakness and eventually unravel. With All-Pro rookie center Maurkice Pouncey officially ruled out, I'm seeing another big game out of B.J. Raji. (I'll get to the Packers defense in a bit, though.) If there's any glaring weakness the Steelers have on offense, it's their line. While it's not bad, it's not great, and being without Pouncey certainly won't help their cause. I think the loss of Pouncey will make for trouble up the middle and not only affect the passing game, but the running game as well.
Rashard Mendenhall is a great back, and I see him having a pretty good game, but not having Pouncey will affect his game. It'll be hard for the Steelers to run up the gut behind Doug Legursky (Pouncey's replacement), who gets the pleasure of not only trying to block Raji, but Howard Green as well. Howard and Raji combine for 677 pounds (at least on paper), and both are 6'2". Legursky is gonna have his hands full. (I'd say "no pun intended," but pun is always intended!) I see Mendenhall rushing for at least 65 yards, but no touchdowns.
That brings me back to Big Ben. While he might get flushed out of the pocket easily from up the middle, he does his best work when he's outside the pocket. (remember his TD throw to Santonio Holmes in SB XLIII?) With Mike Wallace and Hines Ward out wide (and Emmanuel Sanders, who can never be overlooked) and Heath Miller at TE, Roethlisberger has some reliable targets in the passing game. I think he'll be able to toss up 2 TDs, one by Miller in the red zone, and a long one to Wallace on a play where he's not guarded by Sam Shields.
As far as the Steelers defense goes, I think they'll be able to stop the run well, but they can't hold Rodgers off for too long, especially if they allow him to get in a rhythm early. I think Polamalu will have a good day. I don't know if I see a pick in his future, so I'll go with 0.5 o/u for him. I think he'll get a sack on a blitz, though. I see James Harrison getting a sack as well (hopefully not the kind he gets flagged and fined for). Overall, I think Rodgers and the deep Packers receiving corps will be too much for the Steelers to handle.
I've been itching to talk about the Packers defense, so finally, here goes. Tramon Williams stole the show defensively in Atlanta (and had the game-deciding INT in Philly), and Sam Shields did it in Chicago. I really want Charles Woodson to steal the show on Sunday, but I think it'll be Clay Matthews III. I think Woodson will get a pick, but I think Matthews will prove to the nonbelievers that he should have been Defensive Player of the Year with a fantastic game. I don't think 8 tackles, 2 sacks and a forced fumble is out of the question. Even on the plays where he doesn't get a stat on the scoresheet, he'll be a huge factor. I also see Nick Collins picking off a pass over the top.
I think the defensive line will play well, with Cullen Jenkins continuing his strong play from the NFC title game. B.J. "The Freezer" Raji will join in the fun, too, with at least 1 sack, and a couple tackles for losses. I think Jenkins can match those totals.
I think the linebacker corps in general is going to have a good game. My dad was calling for A.J. Hawk to make a big play. I don't think that's too much to ask for. I see a sack for Erik Walden, however.
I would assume Sam Shields will mostly have the duty of guarding Mike Wallace. Speed vs. speed. I think he'll shut down Wallace for the most part, but Wallace will have a big gain on a play where he's not guarded by Shields. I would imagine Williams will be on Hines Ward for the most part, with Woodson on him from time to time. I think Woodson will mostly be on Heath Miller, sharing those duties with Desmond Bishop, who's a pretty good coverage LB. I think Bishop will make a couple good plays on the ball, but I don't see any Super Bowl INTs for him.
I think most people are calling for a pretty low-scoring game. After all, the Steelers and Packers have the 1st- and 2nd-best defenses in the league, respectively. But I think this will be a little more of an offensive affair. I see the Packers winning it on a touchdown pass to Jordy Nelson with less than 4 minutes to play, followed by a late interception of Roethlisberger to seal the victory.
The Packers bring the Lombardi Trophy back to Titletown with a 24-20 win over the Steelers. Aaron Rodgers wins the MVP honors.

GO PACK GO!!!