To me, this game comes down to the quarterbacks.
I know that the Steelers and Packers have plenty of defensive stars - the last three NFL Defensive Players of the Year will be on the field Sunday.
But the quarterbacks will be front and center.
And in a big game, with everything on the line, I'm taking Ben Roethlisberger.
Roethlisberger is 10-2 in the playoffs with a pair of Super Bowl wins under his belt. His playoff winning percentage is second only to Green Bay's Bart Starr.
The experienced Steelers will come out ready to play and get an early lead on the Packers. Green Bay may come back and take the lead, but Roethlisberger will get it done in the fourth quarter of a 31-27 Pittsburgh victory.
© I had some free time - finally – this week and made my way to Dallas for the first time to pick up my credentials.
We went down to the Dallas Book Depository and took the tour. Pretty interesting stuff.
I was amazed at how short Oswald's shots were.
The amazing thing is that he actually missed with the first one - opening jitters.
Goes back to what I just talked about with the Packers. When you're on the big stage for the first time, you're bound to have jitters before you get your feet under you.
© We were walking down to the Depository and coming past us was a man and woman. One of the guys I was with said, "That looks like Ozzie Smith," and said, "Hey Ozzie."
Turns out it was Ozzie Smith. You never know who you'll see at a Super Bowl or where you'll see them.
© Later on at the Media Center, I ran into a couple of Hall of Fame voters. They had just come out of the meeting room and I figured they were finished voting.
Turns out, they were taking a break after seven hours and whittling the 17 nominees down to 10. They were heading back in to finalize things.
© The Steelers made a roster move today that was not unexpected, placing Maurkice Pouncey (ankle) on the Reserve/Injured List and adding center/guard Dorian Brooks from the practice squad.
Ouch.
I can’t wait for the Super Bowl, even though I’m not a huge fan of either team. I just want to ensure I really enjoy the game since there is a possibility that the 2011 season will be canceled, or at best shortened. I’m just hoping for a close, entertaining game. If I had to predict the final score, I’d say Pittsburgh 27, Green Bay 23.
ReplyDeleteSo thankful to see that Dale hasn't been fooled by the endles romance that is the media and the Packers.
ReplyDeleteWe ARE going to win this Game.
28-17 Stillers!!!
Let's Go!!!
Dawson and Bettis both got snubbed by the HOF.
ReplyDeleteIf our guys didn't have enough reasons to go out and kick some ass tomorrow.
Let's go Steelers, do it for Dermonti and Jerome, and Mel, and LC, and the rest of Steeler Nation.
I agree with Dale on GB coming out slow. They are going to need a series or two to adjust to the game.
ReplyDeleteBut ultimately, and I hope I'm wrong, I think GB wins by a FG. These two teams are so close its hard to pick, but GB is going to do what NO and NE did against the Steelers D and the lost of Pouncey is just huge. I'm not jumping on the Raji SB MVP bandwagon either, but can anyone honestly say Legursky wins that battle? I think Ben gets sacked 5 times in this game by GB.
I also am worried about Suisham missing a big kick. Not Scott Norwood style, but one that really comes back to hurt late in the game. He's been great this year, no doubt about it. But if you think GB is going to be on edge, you don't think this guy is going to be too?
I'll say GB 34-31. Hope it goes the other way.
Why on earth do people actually believe the Packers will do to the Steelers what the Patriots did. Do people even watch the Patriots and Packers play? They are totally different styles. Rodgers is far more like Ben (avoid the rush and make the big play) versus Brady (dink and dunk all day long). The Steelers designed their defense to stop the big play offense (you know like a certain team from Baltimore we just beat). Basically, unlike what everyone says, the Packers offense does match up well in the Steelers favor. If all teams could do to the Steelers what the Patriots do... then why is it that only the Patriots are truly effective against the Steelers? Besides hasn't anyone considered: 1) Troy was out against the Patriots, 2) the Steelers defense has been better since that game. Maybe the Steelers needed the game against the Patriots to humble themselves.
ReplyDeleteUgh. And the Worst Stretch for an Analogy goes to...
ReplyDeleteGlad you had the comportment to contain yourself from chanting 'Ozzie. Ozzie. Ozzie.' in the book depository.
Guessing they wouldn't have called up Brooks if they didn't plan on dressing him. Making that one more position Essex gets passed over at. Is he the only guy in NFL history that's been passed over on the depth chart at all 5 OL positions in the same year? Love that kind of versatility.
GB's weakest is run defense, and that plays right into Arian's game plan. Mendy's running will make BB good good. 22 double may be the big breakout for Mendy as MVP.
ReplyDeleteMr. Lolley, it's beyond bad form to try to make a comparison between Lee Harvey Oswald's failure to strike President Kennedy with a first shot and the jitters a player might feel playing in his first Super Bowl.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I usually like and admire your work a lot.
Everyone who assumes the Packers can duplicate the Patriots success against the Steelers is overlooking one important factor. Familiarity.
ReplyDeleteBelicheck has been game planning against the Steelers for a decade, and just happens to have the perfect players at the skill positions to pull it off. GB doesn't have the TEs or the receiving threat out of the backfield to do what NE does.
GB receiving corps, while good, will be easier to match up with for our bigger DBs. Jordy Nelson is no Wes Welker.
Lastly, as much success as the NE offense has against us, I think their success on the defensive side of the ball is often overlooked. Too often, after a TD drive by Brady, the Steelers will go three and out, further compounding the problem. Again, i think this goes back to Belicheck being familiar with what we like to do.
i think McCarthy will try to emulate Sean Payton's game plan this year. Yes, we lost that game, but people forget that Brees had two costly TOs and we were in position to take the lead in the 4th if not for an untimely fumble by Miller.
Steeler 28
Packers 20
Go Steelers!
Randy lighten up.
ReplyDeleteFor the people who think Legursky is going to get killed by Raji. The majority of the time Raji doesn't line up over center. The worry with Legursky is calling the correct protection and snaps.
I never predict winners of the Steelers game. One thing I do know though with this team, even without being disrespected they will manufacture disrespect. This week the media have dealt them the disrespect card and any Steelers fan know they play much better when they're underdogs and when they have a chip on their shoulder.
Check this out: If Dwight Stephenson is in... why ain't Dermontti Dawson after 6 years of eligibility years. Clearly there is an ANTI-STEELER Bias Among the Voters.
ReplyDeleteMiami Center
Dwight Stephenson
5� Pro Bowl selection (1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987)
5� All-Pro selection (1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987)
NFL 1980s All-Decade Team
COMPARED TO:
Pitt Center
Dermontti Dawson
7� Pro Bowl selection (1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998)
6� Associated Press First-team All-Pro selection (1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998)
NFL 1990s All-Decade Team
Dawson is still the best center I have ever seen at pulling like a guard.
ReplyDeleteTake the Steelers (you will not need the points) and the over.
ReplyDeleteI like the Big Snack to be a difference-maker in this game. The best way to disrupt the quick, passing offense is with a push up the middle. I expect GB's center to have a lot of trouble handling Hampton and allowing more push up the middle than Rogers is used to having.
ReplyDeletedale, what does the crowd look like this week ? pretty even or more steeler fans milling about ?
ReplyDeleteThis is an important story. Not because of the game (wasn't that good) but that it points out much of our film and electronic history is at risk of permanent loss. Sadly, these accidental finds are more the exception than the rule.Hopefully it'll be a good game...agree with everything said except while offense might put up points, "DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS" and our defense is a steel curtain!
ReplyDelete