Preview of Super Bowl XLV

On February 6^th, everyone's attention shifts to Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas where Super Bowl XLV will be played. There, two of the NFL's most iconic franchises face off to determine who will be Super Bowl champion. Will the Pittsburgh Steelers continue to distance themselves from the pack and win their seventh Super Bowl? Or will the Green Bay Packers continue their hot stretch and capture their fourth Super Bowl? We shall find out on Sunday.

Both the Steelers and Packers embody the word "team." They have each faced different adversities in their respective seasons but managed to overcome them in order to get to the big game.

After missing the playoffs last season, the Steelers had more problems during the offseason as Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was accused of sexual assault. He was originally suspended for six games this season but the suspension was reduced to just the first four games. They also dealt their Pro Bowl wide receiver Santonio Holmes to the New York Jets in the offseason. Needless to say, there were questions surrounding the Steelers all offseason. However, the Steelers managed to go 3-1 in Roethlisberger's absence and finished the year 12-4, atop the AFC North. After defeating the hated Ravens in the Divisional round, they held off the Jets in the AFC Championship to make their eighth overall appearance in the Super Bowl.

The Green Bay Packers were a Super Bowl pick by many in the offseason. In fact, when healthy, they are arguably the most talented team in the league. However, injuries and inconsistency gave them a slow start as they went 3-3 in their first six games. After losing to the New England Patriots in week 15 with backup Matt Flynn at Quarterback, they were on the brink of elimination. They won their next two, however, finishing the year 10-6 and making the playoffs as a sixth seed. After defeating the Eagles in the Wild Card round, they defeated the number one seeded Atlanta Falcons and number two seeded Chicago Bears in back to back weeks to make the Super Bowl. The Packers are certainly on a roll.

Who has the advantage? You cannot overlook the experience edge that the Steelers have. Despite being only thirty eight, head coach Mike Tomlin has already won a Super Bowl. This is Packers' head coach Mike McCarthy's first appearance. The Steelers and Packers are the number one and two ranked defenses in both points allowed and sacks. The Packers will not be able to run on the Steelers but need to at least show the run or else they will be too one dimensional. Even with Aaron Rodgers' hot streak, Ben Roethlisberger has the edge here because of his two Super Bowl wins.

With all of that said, I believe that the Packers, who are actually favored, will win. They are on too much of a hot streak after getting Rodgers back healthy from his second concussion. It will be a close game (something like 27-23), which is all that you want in the Super Bowl when you are not a diehard fan of either of the teams. Here's to a good one.