Super Bowl XLV

This is about as intriguing a Super Bowl matchup as one could have possibly asked for this year. Perennial AFC contender Pittsburgh against “new guy” Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. Somebody who understands gambling will have to explain to me how the Packers are favored in this game (#6 seed…so many injuries…no Super Bowl experience)

Both teams possess a storied tradition. The Packers will be looking to close the gap on Super Bowl wins to 6-4.

The Packers have tradition. The Steelers have tradition (including more recent tradition).

The Steelers have a great defense. So do the Packers.

The Packers have a Pro Bowl-elected quarterback. The Steelers have a Super Bowl-winning quarterback.

Both teams have run the ball well in the playoffs.

The Steelers are a franchise much like the New York Yankees, Dallas Cowboys, or Los Angeles Lakers. You are either a fan, or you DESPISE them. They have players like Hines Ward, James Harrison, and Ben Roethlisberger who you love if you are a towel-waver, but whom you’d like to kick in the nuts if you’re not.

If Hines Ward is on your side, you think he's one tough SOB. If he's not, then you think he's just an SOB.

The Packers have seemingly cornered the market on bandwagon jumpers (myself included) during the playoffs. Each win has brought more and more Super Bowl bravado for Green Bay, and on Sunday it all comes to a head. I’d like to be able to say that pulling for the Packers is NOT fueled by my Brett Favre hatred, but I can’t really do that with a straight face. Nothing would give me greater pleasure than watching Aaron Rodgers celebrate a Super Bowl victory with HIS team, validating the faith that Green Bay had in him.

It sucks that when you Google Image "Aaron Rodgers", the first four pictures that come up are pictures of him with Brett Favre. Maybe after Sunday, the first four will be pictures of him with the Lombardi trophy. 

 Gun to my head, I’m picking the Steelers. They have a host of players with a Super Bowl ring, including their QB with 2. They are proven, balanced, and seemingly focused.

I just really want to be able to root for my pick in the Super Bowl. Sometimes, to become a “Super Bowl-winning quarterback” you have to beat a "Super Bowl-winning quarterback." Drew Brees proved that last year. Here’s hoping A-Rodge does this year.

THE PICK: PACKERS 23, STEELERS 20 (OT)

And now for some Super Bowl quick hitters….Some of these are “prop bets” I have come across in doing my blog research. I’m going to have some fun and make some picks!

1.       Over/Under 45 points à The Pick = UNDER  (that’s a tough one to pick!)

2.       Game’s first touchdown à The Pick = PACKERS

3.       Over/Under 2.5 times the announcers talk about Brett Favre à The Pick = OVER (that’s a slam dunk)

4.       Game’s first punt à The Pick = PACKERS

5.       Aaron Rodgers over/under 300 yards passing à The Pick = UNDER

6.       Ben Roethlisberger over/under 225 yards passing à The Pick = OVER

7.       Game’s longest rush over/under 35 yards à The Pick = UNDER

8.       Game’s longest pass over/under 50 yards à The Pick = OVER

9.       First forced turnover à The Pick = STEELERS

10.   Team to call the first timeout à The Pick = PACKERS

11.   Game’s leading rusher à The Pick = Rashard Mendenhall

12.   Game’s leading receiver à The Pick = Greg Jennings

13.   Halftime score à Steelers 10, Packers 10

14.   Team with the most sacks à The Pick = PACKERS

15.   Team with the most field goals à The Pick = PACKERS

16.   Super Bowl XLV MVP à The Pick = Aaron Rodgers