Packers vs. Steelers. Super Bowl XLV. February 6, 2010, Dallas, Texas.
Two of the leagues most storied and successful teams in NFL will dual it in two weeks at Texas Stadium.
The NFL and Dallas both win given that the Packers and Steelers travel the best in the league.
How about the parity in the NFC. In the last ten years, ten different teams have advanced to the big game: Rams, Bucs, Panthers, Eagles, Seahawks, Bears, Giants, Cardinals, Saints, Packers.
As for the AFC, this is the eighth straight year that will feature either the Patriots, Colts or Steelers.
The Packers took care of business against the Bears on Sunday 21-14 (my prediction was off 3 points for each team), much to my own relief. I don’t think I could have taken any more of ‘Bear Down’ and ‘Da Bears.’
Jay Cutler went out with an undisclosed knee injury in the third quarter and his backup Todd Collins was replaced by Caleb Haine. I know what you’re saying…who?
Haine had a great game considering he was more productive in the final quarter than Cutler was in the first three. He finished 13 for 20, 153 yards, 2 touchdowns and the unfortunate interception returned for a touchdown. Until Haine stepped on the field with about a minute to go in the third quarter, only running back Matt Forte stood out.
Aaron Rodgers who replaced Brett Favre in Green Bay just three seasons ago has thrived in that role. It’s not easy replacing a legend, a player who meant so much to his franchise. But after three seasons, Rodgers is heading to his first Super Bowl.
The most impressive feat is how the Packers earned their way to Super Bowl XLV. They took the hardest road, having to knock out the top three seeds in the NFC. It was first No. 3 Philadelphia 21-16 and then top-ranked Atlanta 48-21. Green Bay placed the most starters on injured-reserve in the league, yet still advanced to the Super Bowl. Very remarkable.
The AFC Championship was a tale of two halves. The Steelers defeated the Jets 24-19, but it wasn’t easy. Pittsburgh led 24-3 at halftime but the Jets didn’t give up. They came alive to score 19 second half points but it wasn’t enough.
Rex Ryan chose not to talk trash this week and thing changed and they lost. They finally respect an opponent and are not victorious. Ryan said everyone doubted them all year but at halftime he still thought they could win the game, despite coming up a bit short. The Jets still made tremendous strides, especially considering they were another six seed. “We don’t need to apologize to anyone. We’ll be back, and you’ll see. We’ll be back and the only difference is that we plan on winning that sucker.”
Pittsburgh is 6-1 in Super Bowl’s, and it wouldn’t surprise me for Big Ben to win his third. The Vegas line already picks Green Bay by 2.
The coverage is going to get old for the next two weeks. This matchup will be actually be intriguing as opposed to this last weekend. An intense, high-priced Super Bowl in North Texas.
Everything is bigger in Texas. Let’s hope the game is as well.