This may be the hardest Super Bowl for me to pick in many years. I can be completely objective, as I have no real "favorite" in this game. I'm a Vikes fan, so while I respect the Packers, there's no love lost. AND...I've never been the biggest Steelers fan. Again, I respect the shit out of them. I'm just not the type who's gonna go "Your team SUCKS!!!" just 'cuz they're not among my faves. For once, the two best teams really are in the game at the end of the year. I respect both legacies and franchises. (To be honest, I have TRIED my damndest, as an adopted Pittsburgher, to get more caught up in the Steelers thing. I love this city to death, and I will admit that Steelers fans are seriously devoted, travel like crazy and may be the most devoted sports fans in the world. Alas, I still can't get past "respect" and into "love". I'm workin' on it. 😉 )
So, with two great franchises playing, two teams so well-matched, here's how I objectively see it going down....
I'll give Ben Rothlisberger the slight advantage in the QB department due to experience and ability to make plays out of nothing, especially in the clutch. Aaron Rodgers has the better arm and more weapons...which leads us to...
Pittsburgh has the better single deep threat (Wallace), Green Bay has the greater number of threats, including an older guy you cannot count out, Donald Driver.
The running game should belong to the Steelers. However, some of that may depend on the performance of the offensive line, which Green Bay has a great advantage in. With Pouncy most likely out, the already patchwork line of Pittsburgh is going to be hard pressed.
Defense is pretty even. Defensive line is better in Green Bay, linebackers are slightly favored in Pittsburgh (but Clay Matthews is a monster), corners in Green Bay are better, safeties in Pittsburgh get the edge. (Now, that depends on whether Troy Polamalu has a game like he had in the regular season, or plays like he has in the playoffs so far.)
Special teams advantage: Green Bay.
So...I think Green Bay comes out shooting. They aren't going to run that well against the Steelers, and I don't think they are going to spend to much time trying. The Steelers will keep it even for a bit by rattling the young Rodgers' cage at the start. Expect heavy blitzing from both sides. Green Bay will bite on at least two play-action passes as Pittsburgh gets a good running game going.
First half score: Pittsburgh 20, Green Bay 13
I see the second half opening up as both teams start to figure out the opposing defenses. Pittsburgh will make a lot of stops, but give up a lot of quick field position, giving Green Bay several field goal opportunities. Green Bay will probably give up more big plays. So, as the gun fires off the end of the 4th quarter the score will be...
A 30-30 tie, sending the first tied Super Bowl into overtime. Which is where the better special teams of Green Bay will give them the opportunity to break the tie and win 33-30.
Eh...but what do I know? 🙄
In short, it's going to be a great game between two evenly matched teams and whoever wins (and I can easily see both doing it) will have earned it.
Best of luck to both Green Bay fans and those here at home in Pittsburgh!!!