Off the field issues be damned, somehow, the Steelers have made it to the Super Bowl. Big Ben, a.k.a., the most clutch quarterback in the game today, is probably going to win this game for Pittsburgh. He will make three or four improbable plays like where the pass rush gets right to him but can't bring him down, spin around for 5 seconds, and then hit Heath Miller in the flat for 15 yards, on 3rd and 14.
For some reason, since his rookie year in 2004, when the most pressure presents itself, Ben has found a way. Sure he had statistically the worst game of a winning Super Bowl QB in Super Bowl XL against Seattle, but they didn't need him to have a great game. Anyone who saw the wild card game against Cincy, the divisional game against Indy and the AFC championship game against the Broncos knows that he was the best player on the field in every one of those games. He made the plays when they needed to be made. Even looking at Super Bowl XLIII against Arizona, he had only thrown for something like 170 yards through the first 57 minutes of the game. Only when the chips were down did Big Ben step up to the plate and hit a grand slam in the bottom of the 9th.
So, with that in mind, I think in this game, the Steelers own the QB edge. Analysts have been saying that the way to beat the Pittsburgh defense is to spread them out four or five wide and throw it quickly. I don't buy it. Baltimore and the Jets both tried it and failed. Only one team holds that key to the defense, and its New England, simply because of Tom Brady. Plus, it goes without saying that the Pats just seem to have the Steelers number, the way the Steelers have the Ravens number. Simply put, I don't believe that the Packers will march up and down the field like they did against Atlanta. Can I see A-Rod having a nice game with 275 yards and a couple of TD passes? Sure. But if thats what they give up to that offense, the Steelers will win this game. I think Rodgers needs to have a monster game for Green Bay to win. Think 360 yards and 4 TDs. They won't run the ball very effectively, so Rodgers will be the offense.
I like the Steelers defense, QB, coach, and RB more than I like Green Bay's. Experience will be a big factor, especially in the first half and I think that all adds up to a 27-20 Steeler win. Big Ben is the MVP (should have won it in XLIII) and most of America is now comparing the Steelers to the Pats, and not all for good reasons.
Watching: Archer, 'Salt', Super Bowl XLV, 'Terminator 2', SNL, 'Rambo'
Listening to: Lonely Island, Flobots, Flight of the Conchords, Ok Go
Embarrasing Download of the Day: Justin Bieber, 'Baby, Baby'
Fantastical Website of the Day: Pro Football Talk (since its Super Bowl Weekend)
Next on the Netflix Queue: 'Party Down Season I' and 'The Other Guys'
Up Next: I have not forgotten about the full review of Arrested Development. It's in the works. Your average movie goer movie review, and a recap of Steelers-Packers.
