Players To Watch In The Super Bowl + Prediction

Super Bowl XLV

Players to Watch:

Green Bay Packers:

LT Chad Clifton

Clifton in my opinion will be the most important player on the Packers offense on Sunday. His job is to protect Rodgers blind side, so far this postseason he has done a great job but on Sunday his job will be to stop one of the best outside LB's in the league, James Harrison, from getting to Aaron Rodgers. Harrison has had at least 10 sacks in 3 straight seasons and even when he doesn't get there he is constantly putting pressure on the QB. If Clifton can't handle Harrison the Packers offense is going to struggle all game long.

QB Aaron Rodgers

Hate being this obvious but if Aaron Rodgers has a bad game it is going to be very hard for them to win this game.

RT Bryan Bulaga

Much like Chad Clifton he will have his hands full with LaMarr Woodley who has become as dangerous as Harrison on the outside the past 2 seasons. He has 3 straight years of more than 10 sacks, and 6 straight playoff games with a sack.

WR Jordy Nelson

Jordy Nelson is not a starter for the Packers but I think he will have a bigger impact then Jennings and Driver. Jennings and Driver are going to get their catches and yards as usual but if Nelson can continue his good postseason the Packers chances of succeeding on offense are much better. He will be working in the slot mostly vs. William Gay. Gay has done a very good job the past few weeks so it will be a tough task but I could see him having a good game.

LB Clay Matthews

Matthews played in 15 games this year and had 14 sacks, nearly a sack a game. He will be trying to sack one of the toughest QB's to bring down in the league in Big Ben, but Big Ben also has a tendency to hold on to the ball for a little too long allowing LB's to get hands on him during the game. Matthews should be able to have a sack or two on Sunday.

CB Charles Woodson and Tramon Williams

Tramon Williams has become arguably the best #2 CB in the league over the past 4-5 weeks, in the playoffs the past 3 games he has 3 interceptions and 3 pass deflections. Woodson the reigning defensive player of the year continues to excel at CB. The Steelers starting WR will have a tough time getting open on these two.

Pittsburgh Steelers: 

WR Mike Wallace

Mike Wallace will have his hands full as I previously said with Williams and Woodson covering him all game but Wallace will have to show up big this week for the Steelers to be able to get anything going on offense. Wallace has been quiet this postseason and is due for a big game, Williams and Woodson are great corners but they are not going to be able to keep up with Wallace deep, if Roethlisberger can buy some time in the pocket Wallace should be able to get some separation deep.

RB Rashard Mendenhall

Mendenhall was the star of the game last week vs. the Jets. He was able to run the ball well and made a few catches for big yards. If he can have another game like that the Steelers will win this game big.

QB Ben Roethlisberger

Same as Rodgers, he needs to have a good game. Unlike Rodgers his good game doesn't mean big stats, his good game means just making the clutch throws, gaining a few yards with his feet, and buying time in the pocket.

TE Heath Miller

Miller doesn't get big stats that show his worth, but he's probably the second or third most important player on the offense. Miller scored against the Ravens and caught 5 passes against the Jets; He is a great run blocker and will definitely help the offensive line by chipping Clay Matthews on a handful of plays. The Packers have struggled to cover tight ends the past few weeks and he could have a big game.

CB Ike Taylor

Taylor will be covering the hottest WR in the league currently in Greg Jennings. Jennings caught 1 ball for 8 yards against the Eagles in the divisional round and since then has gone for 101 and 130 yards each game. Ike Taylor is a very physical corner and is one of the bigger CB's in the league measuring in at 6-2 195. He has a clear height advantage over Jennings who is only 5-11.

SS Troy Polamalu

Troy Polamalu the recently named defensive player of the year will play a big role in this game. He is known for big hits, clutch interceptions, and always making the clutch plays. Polamalu played in 14 games this year and was battling an Achilles problem for most of the season and still had 7 interceptions, 1 sack, and 1 forced fumble. He is in my credit the most valuable player on defense in the entire league. With Troy the Steelers defense is the best defense in the league and dominant. Without him, they are a slightly above average defense. He is the player to watch on the Steelers defense at all times and he is easy to spot with his long hair flowing.

Prediction:

When the games match-up was decided I immediately thought the Steelers would win, after 2 weeks of thinking about it I am having some trouble deciding who to pick, I could see the Packers winning by spreading out the Steelers defense much like the New England Patriots do when they face the Steelers. For example, Tom Brady this season faced the Steelers and the Patriots went to 4 WR, 5 WR sets almost the entire game spreading out the Steelers defense and neutralizing their blitz, Brady threw for 350 yards and 3 TD's. The Packers are a young team overall, where as this is the Steelers 3rd super bowl trip in just 6 years. The Steelers have the toughest defense in the league and I could see the nerves getting to Rodgers more than I can see them getting to Roethlisberger. Dick LeBeau is a better defensive coordinator in my mind then Dom Capers. Big Ben always seems to make the clutch play and is in my opinion the best QB under pressure in the league, I can't bet against him.

Final Prediction: Steelers 24 - Packers 20  

MVP: Ben Roethlisberger