Super Bowl XLV Preview and Predictions: Pittsburgh Steelers 27 - Green Bay Packers 24

With a delicious Super Bowl XLV match-up, we stand at the crossroads of Old School meeting the New School. In one corner, we have the ghosts of Vince Lombardi, Jim Taylor, Ray Nietzsche, Iron Man Brett Favre, and Reggie White riding on the Frozen Tundra to get a seal here and a seal there -- and lay the ultimate smack down on the gridiron. In this corner, we are on the go with Steeler Nation, o ye of six championship rings, Lynn Swann, Terry Bradshaw, the Immaculate Reception, 70's Afro picks, and the Steel Curtain.

The leaders of the New School, of course, are not to be overshadowed. Ben Roethlisberger, Aaron Rodgers, Mike "Omar Epps" Tomlin, Clay Matthews, James Harrison, Greg Jennings, and Troy "Head and Shoulders" Polamalu all stand poised to uphold the Mighty Tradition of their respective franchises. Just imagine: Ray Nitschke and Jack Lambert crashing into each other at the point of attack, only to bounce right back up with a toothless scowl and menacing finger point, before heading out for a beer afterwards.

Mutual Respect.

Think of the hype.

I think I just saw Mel Blount show up to Media Day in a fur coat, log on to Twitter to talk trash, and then line up in press coverage to smack Donald Driver upside the head. I think I just clicked "Like" on Paul Hornung's Facebook fan page -- to follow his every move -- from Lombardi Avenue to the House that Jerry Built on the toss sweep. I think I just saw Ben Roethlisberger stand tall in the pocket and turn in his latest grit-ball Terry Bradshaw imitation up in hardscrabble Western Pennsylvania -- a place of under appreciated beauty (just like Ben's game). Finally, I think I just saw Aaron Rodgers eviscerate the ghost of Brett Favre, fire lasers on the field, and slam on his championship belt with great bravado.

What intrigue.

In a Super Bowl that lives up to the hype, the Pittsburgh Steelers will take home their seventh Lombardi Trophy. Pittsburgh, the AFC Champion, will descend upon Big D with the slight edge in two out of the three critical match ups that will decide the outcome of this ball game. To win, Pittsburgh must first establish their physical identity behind the tough running of Rashard Mendenhall. With a lead, mad man Dick Lebeau and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will be able to go to work and do what they do.

Here we Go Stee -- lers. Here we Go!

#3 Super Bowl Match-up Preview: Rashard Mendenhall Versus Green Bay Front Seven

Rashard Mendenhall must perform like a man possessed for Pittsburgh to take control of this game. A strong effort from Mendenhall will be a tall order, considering reports out of Three Rivers that the Steeler offensive line is a virtual M*A*S*H unit. Besides the felled Maurkice Pouncey, guys that we never heard of, will be answering the bell to start for guys we never heard of. Pittsburgh is literally grabbing fat backs off the street to face off against the likes of a B.J. Raji, Clay Matthews, and A.J. Hawk.

On paper, this does not bode well.

In a one game series for all the marbles, however, you can count on the re-tooled Pittsburgh offensive line to play its collective heart out. And Mendenhall has transitioned into a stud by the fire, who has been running with great giddy-up since he was embarrassed as a soft nincompoop early in his career. Remember, this is the same Rashard Mendenhall who has was robbed at gunpoint in his home town Chicago, blown up at the line of scrimmage by Ray Lewis, and ordered to ride the pine at Cincinnati because he did not know his own plays.

Expect Mendenhall to put those early-career demons to rest, and mash his foot on the gas and right on to somebody's neck. Rashard Mendenhall is ready to run wild, and unabashedly carve his name into the scroll of Steeler greats.

Edge: Pittsburgh Steelers and Rashard Mendenhall

#2 Super Bowl Match-up Preview: Dick LeBeau Versus Dom Capers

Super Bowl XLV pits two of the greatest defensive minds in football history against each other. Masters of the 3-4 scheme, these stark, raving lunatics will be throwing the kitchen sink at the opposing offense. For Blitzburgh, you can expect Dick LeBeau to order his troops to walk around aimlessly at the line of scrimmage, before shooting the gaps at the snap from all angles to create mass confusion. Troy Polamalu is at the centerpiece of the scheme, as he can line up in the box, over the slot, or as the deep safety man to wreak havoc and shred the Packer offensive game plan. At linebacker, it is business as usual for Steeler Nation. From left to right, LaMarr Woodley, James Farrior, Lawrence Timmons, and James Harrison are all big, fast, and exceptionally versatile. Pittsburgh backers can drop back into one-on-one coverage, pinch as defensive ends, or just sit back in the soft zone to molly-wop some fool that has the audacity to drag across the middle.

Where are these guys coming from?

Not to be outdone, Dom Capers is a completely mad in his own right. For Green Bay, Charles Woodson has already booked his trip to visit Obama at the White House and is the straw that stirs the 3-4 drink. Woodson is a force, who lives to come up with turnovers and must be accounted for at all times. On passing downs, Green Bay definitely has the edge over Pittsburgh's patchwork offensive line that should struggle with blitz pick up. B.J. Raji and Clay Matthews are poised to dominate in the trenches -- on stunts, rubs, delayed blitzes, and whatever other mayhem Dom Capers is inspired to dial up from his laboratory of doom.

Evil Laugh.

Edge: Green Bay Packers and Dom Capers

#1 Super Bowl Match-up Preview: Ben Roethlisberger Versus Aaron Rodgers

Do you really want to blitz Ben Roethlisberger?

Seriously?

Big Ben, of course will take his sacks. Roethlisberger, however, is the master of the broken play. At 6'5 250 pounds, Ben is a load to bring down and loves to improvise. Classic Roethlisberger shakes would-be sack artists behind the line of scrimmage, rolls out into the clear, and tosses darts to wide open receivers. Big Ben is ready to go to work -- with a diverse receiving corps that includes tough as nails Hines Ward, old reliable Heath Miller, and speedster Mike Wallace. Wallace will be an especially dangerous counter to Capers' scheme -- as he can break the game wide open at any moment on a deep bomb.

But, then again -- do we really want to blitz Aaron Rodgers?

With his quick release and precision, Aaron Rodgers is Blessed with the physical tools to torch the LeBeau zone blitz. Mentally, Rodgers also has the poise and moxie to anticipate the hot read -- amidst the chaos of cornerback Ike Taylor crashing into the pocket, linebacker Lawrence Timmons shuffling from sideline to sideline, and wide load defensive tackle Casey Hampton dropping back into coverage. Rodgers, of course, has some toys of his own in Greg Jennings, James Jones, Donald Driver, and even running back James Starks, who has come off the scrap heap -- to endear himself to fans.

We can expect a dueling banjos performance from these two young guns. Remember, Roethlisberger and Rodgers combined for a video game-esque 886 yards in a 37-36 2009 shootout at Heinz Field. In that game, Roethlisberger aired it out for 503 yards and 3 touchdowns to prevail over counterpart Aaron Rodgers. As the two traded blows, Roethlisberger decided the outcome on the last play -- with his game-winning connection to Mike Wallace.

On Super Bowl Sunday, we will witness a similar outcome.

Ben Roethlisberger will win this game. Ben Roethlisberger has been here twice before.

Ben Roethlisberger is long overdue for a Super Bowl MVP trophy.

Edge: Pittsburgh Steelers and Ben Roethlisberger

Final Super Bowl XLV Score:
Pittsburgh Steelers - 27
Green Bay Packers - 24

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