Packers Vs. Steelers: 2011 Super Bowl Predictions & TV Time

The 2011 Super Bowl game between the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers is set for Sunday February 6 (6:30 PM EST) at Cowboys Stadium. FOX channel will provide TV coverage for this game. Green Bay advances to Super Bowl XLV after dispatching Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Chicago; Pittsburgh earns a trip to the big game with wins over Baltimore and New York. This article offers TV time and predictions for the 2011 Super Bowl title game between the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers.

1) Packers-Steelers Matchup

The 2011 Super Bowl will feature the NFL's top two defensive teams in the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers. The Packers come into this contest on a 5-game winning streak, while the Steelers enjoy an astounding 8-1 road record this season. As the two teams play in different conferences, Green Bay and Pittsburgh don't have a long history against each other. The last time they met was in 2009; the Steelers won that game by a single point (37-36).

2) Aaron Rodgers vs. Ben Roethlisberger

The 45th edition of Super Bowl Sunday pits two of the game's best quarterbacks against one another. Both QBs have enjoyed a fine season statistically. For the year, Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers amassed 3922 passing yards, 28 TDs, and a QB rating of 101. Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger has also been impressive. In a shortened season (due to the suspension), Big Ben threw for 3200 yards with 17 touchdowns and a QB rating of 97. Rodgers has fared better than Roethlisberger in the playoffs, posting 8 total TDs and a QB rating of 100. Qualitatively speaking, Rodgers has a slight edge over Big Ben due to a more involved role in his team's playoff run.

3) Mike McCarthy vs. Mike Tomlin

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The 2011 NFL Playoffs have been utterly dominated by teams with a strong defense. In fact, the most successful teams in this year's postseason are all defensive-minded teams (Ravens, Bears, Jets, and Steelers). Offense-centric teams such as the Patriots and Eagles failed to win a single playoff game. Along these lines, it is not a surprise that the 2011 Super Bowl will feature the NFL's #1 and #2 defensive unit. For the Pittsburgh Steelers, this contest will be the team's third consecutive playoff game against a top-rated defensive squad. Will the gained experience help the Steelers beat the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XLV?

There is no question that Green Bay Packers is the postseason's hottest team. Mike McCarthy's crew won three straight playoff games, all of which were on the road. As the 2011 Super Bowl will be played at a neutral site, the Packers will look to extend their current road winning streak to four games. Green Bay owes much of its success to its dominant defense. In the NFC championship game against Chicago, the Packers' defense yielded only one touchdown while intercepted the ball three times. If the team is to win the 2011 Super Bowl, its defense will have to come up with a similar effort against Ben Roethlisberger.

The Pittsburgh Steelers played two defensive-minded teams this playoff season, winning both games by a narrow margin. However, the two victories were at home on Heinz Field. Will playing away this time around affect the Steelers' performance? Surprisingly, Mike Tomlin's team actually has a better record on the road this season than at home. In fact, the team is 8-1 away from Heinz Field.

The biggest question mark for the Steelers is starting QB Ben Roethlisberger. The two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback has been unimpressive this postseason. In the game against the New York Jets, Big Ben yielded two interceptions and suffered a career-low QB rating of 35. He will need to improve drastically, if his team is to have any chance against the Packers.

My prediction for the 2011 Super Bowl NFL title game between the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers: the Packers complete their Cinderella run with a 21-19 victory. Kickoff time for the game is 6:30 PM EST. The game will be played at Cowboys Stadium, and will be broadcast by FOX channel.

Reference:
ESPN.COM