Super Bowl XLV Defensive Matchups
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Just a few more days remain, until two of the most storied teams in football history hit the gridiron to do battle in Super Bowl XLV on February 6, in Dallas.
While I expect each team’s offense to score points, they will struggle in what may be one of the lowest overall totals in the past 27 years of Super Bowl outcomes.
The Steelers posses arguably the best defense in the National Football League, and are led by the NFL’s defensive player of the year, safety Troy Polamalu. They will hit you hard, fast, and often. If you don’t believe it, just ask the Jets who got beat up in a defensive bout during the AFC Championship game just under two weeks ago. The Steel Curtain is ranked second overall in total defense, second in third down defense, first in scoring defense and led the league with 48 sacks.
Three of those coming from Steelers’ 2007 first round draft pick, linebacker Lawrence Timmons. While a lot of attention is given to Polamalu and veteran linebacker James Harrison, Timmons is actually the leading tackler on the Steelers defense with 135.
It could be long day for the Packer’s Aaron Rodgers and James Starks as they try dodging and getting by Timmons. The former first round pick out of Florida State can make a huge difference in this game. If he can contain Starks, the Packers offense will be forced to become one-dimensional.
Meanwhile, Harrison, whose trademark helmet-to-helmet hits have wrecked havoc on many a NFL quarterback, will be a force to be reckoned with as he displayed in the divisional round against the Ravens, recording five tackles and three sacks. He appropriately labeled this year’s Steelers “Hits-Burgh.” The name rings true. Harrison makes any receiver think twice about what is coming the other away. If the Packers allow Harrison to run wild in this matchup, they don’t stand any chance of winning.
With so much focus on Polamalu, there will be more opportunity for Ike Taylor to make his presence known. Taylor is one of the biggest cornerbacks in the league, standing 6’2″ and 185 pounds. Maybe the fastest player on the Steelers’ defense, Taylor can hang with any of the Packers lofty sure-handed receivers.
Finally, rounding out the Steelers defensive dexterity is Ziggy Hood and Brett Keisel who have done a nice job at the ends as well as linebacker James Farrior who has recorded 13 tackles in his past two games.
So how does Green Bay’s defense stack up?
The Packers have been the most impressive team in the playoffs and their defense, led by a dominant secondary including Charles Woodson, along with Desmond Bishop, Clay Matthews, and Tramon Williams, is the main reason why Green Bay has found themselves in contention for another Championship title this season. In their bout against the Bears, they intercepted Jay Cutler three times, including B.J. Raji’s interception for a touchdown that was the difference on the scoreboard, in their 21-14 victory in a chilly NFC Championship game.
Woodson is one of the most prolific cornerbacks in the league, but some have begun to question if ageing legs can keep up with some of the league’s upcoming young receivers. Woodson has been lining up all over the field, recording 92 tackles, two interceptions and a pair of sacks, proving the 13-year veteran still has some gas left in the tank.
Bishop has been the Pack’s leading tackler in the playoffs while Clay Mathews, who finished second to Polamalu for Defensive Player of the Year, has three and a half sacks. Clay is flanked by AJ Hawk, who along with Clay are a handful for opposing offensives and this match up should be no different. With a combined 24 tackles, and 3.5 sacks, expect Hawk and Matthews to be a big factor in the outcome of this game.
Williams in the meantime, has been phenomenal all postseason. He has recorded three interceptions, including two (one that went for a touchdown) that were key in the 48-21 victory over the Falcons in the divisional round. Ryan Pickett has been solid on the line and Charlie Peprah is a name all football fans are becoming acquainted with.
The odds makers have the Green Bay Packers as a -3 point favorite with an over/under of 44.5.
Matt’s Prediction: We’ve all heard that defense wins championships, and this year’s Super Bowl may just lend some authority to that statement. Both Pittsburgh and Green Bay posses numerous defensive weapons along with the ability to grind out wins in the trenches. If I were forced to choose a side based on defense alone, the edge has to go to the Steelers, because of the mere experience of defenders who have already played at this level.
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