5 Potential Super Bowl XLV Impact Players

It has been a long, arduous season for NFL fans. While only two fan bases, those based in Pittsburgh, Green Bay, and their surrounding areas, can be truly happy with the match-up for Super Bowl XLV, there is no doubt a lot of excitement about the match-up between the Packers and the Steelers.

I know the NFL is excited about having two of their most storied franchises in its biggest game of the season, let alone two with some of the most passionate fans in the league.

Even those who don't follow either team are familiar with the stars on each side of the ball, from Aaron Rodgers and Ben Roethlisberger to James Harrison and Clay Matthews, to Troy Polamalu and Charles Woodson. However, it is the unsung players that normally step up and win titles, and both of these teams have a decent share of role players who could make a big difference.

Here are five players to watch for in when Super Sunday rolls around:

B.J. Raji - Nose Tackle - Green Bay Packers

Raji jumped into everyone's view when the 337 defensive lineman had a huge interception return for a touchdown against the Bears in the NFC Championship, but for Packers fans, he's been a big part of their defense. Raji gets overshadowed by Clay Matthews, A.J. Hawk, and Charles Woodson, but the big nose tackle started every game during his second season in 2010, accumulating 6.5 sacks and has a way of pushing himself into the backfield. Don't look for him to drop into coverage much during the Super Bowl, but with Maurkice Pouncey leaving the AFC Championship for the Steelers, Raji could make it a very long day for either the offensive line or Ben Roethlisberger.

Doug Legursky - Center - Pittsburgh Steelers

As mentioned above, Maurkice Pouncey left the AFC Championship with a sprained ankle, and while he has vowed to be ready for the Super Bowl, it will be interesting to see how effective he will be. If he isn't able to go, Legursky will get the call once again. With the way the Packers blitz and the constant pressure they put on the quarterback there won't be a lot of available lineman for help, so Legursky will have to step up and play like the Pro Bowler Pouncey.

James Starks - Running Back - Green Bay Packers

Starks may be listed as the 3^rd string back on the NFL.com Packers depth chart, but he's been getting the bulk of the carries in the post-season. His 72 yards and touchdown were big during the NFC Championship with the bears, especially in the early going when it helped free up Aaron Rodgers for some big drives during the first half. The Steelers showed in early season match-ups with the Jets and Patriots that they can be caught off guard by the run, which is a possibility when you face a pass-happy team like the Packers. That may mean a big game is coming for the rookie Starks, who has shown he can get up the field fast with just a bit of room to run.

Ryan Clark - Safety - Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers are going to have their hands full keeping track of Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, James Jones, and Jordy Nelson. That means Troy Polamalu and Ike Taylor are both going to have their days cut out for them. We have shown in the past that a Super Bowl can turn on the play of a good defensive back and with what the Packers bring to the table, Ryan Clark is going to be that much more important. With 2 picks and 7 passes defensed during the 2010 season, Clark has shown that he can step up and be that guy and he's going to need to be if the Steelers can't get enough pressure on Rodgers.

Shaun Suisham - Kicker - Pittsburgh Steelers

Post season history is rife with stories of kickers either achieving glory or disgrace. Suisham will have a lot of pressure on him to avoid the latter distinction. So far this post season, Suisham is 2 for 3 on field goal attempts, but was 14 of 15 during the regular season after taking over for Jeff Reed earlier in the year. He has a lot riding on his foot during this game and if the defenses hold up as they should; it may come down to who puts the last one through the uprights. That's a lot of pressure for a journeyman kicker.

Sources:

- BJ Raji, NFL.com

- Doug Legurksy, NFL.com

- James Starks, NFL.com

- Ryan Clark, NFL.com

- Shaun Suisham, pro-football-reference.com