Why Steelers/Packers Will Be a Great Super Bowl XLV

The Super Bowl is the premier sporting event in the US. And it transcends just sports, attracting millions of viewers who aren't particularly avid football fans. It is an event. This year, though, the game itself should be super. Here are 5 reasons why.

Star quarterbacks
The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers both feature star quarterbacks. The Packers' Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers' Ben Roethliesberger share a knack for the spectacular escape. Aaron can use his nimble feet to avoid the rush and scamper downfield 20 yards. Big Ben can throw off a would-be tackler with his off-hand while completing a pass downfield. Both ran for touchdowns in their conference championship games to lead their teams to victory. And both quarterbacks are known for throwing deep to open up the game. I can't remember a game where either QB started and didn't do something spectacular. Why should the Super Bowl be any less so? Expect the spectacular.

Disruptive defense
However, the Steelers and Packers also field powerful defenses. They run exotic 3-4 blitzing defenses designed to confuse their opponent and create turnovers. With Pro Bowl nods to Green Bay's Clay Matthews III and Pittsburgh's James Harrison, the NFL has already heralded the heart of each team's disruptive linebacker corp. And the secondaries each feature game-changing playmakers in Troy Polamalu (Steelers) and Charles Woodson (Packers) - also Pro Bowl selections. With all that defensive fire-power and crafty schemes, these defenses won't disappoint viewers.

Toughest receivers
While Mike Wallace (Pittsburgh) and Greg Jennings (Green Bay) can light up the scoreboard in a hurry, I want to watch the 2 toughest receivers in the game today: the Steelers' Hines Ward and the Packers' Donald Driver. Both these guys are fearless veterans who aren't afraid to make a grab over the middle to keep a drive alive. And they will get up smiling after a big hit. They are both leaders on their teams and have proven their long-term value over 25 combined seasons. In an era where receivers are quickly replaced by the next young guy, these two are all-time pros looking to add to their impressive legacies.

Unsung heroes
Although there are superstars and future Hall of Fame players on both teams, their fans know that games are often won by the unsung heroes. And there are fan favorites for both teams. The Steelers stop the run because Casey Hampton is a fireplug in the middle of the defensive line. They were the best team converting third and short often because of power back Isaac Redman. And rookie wide receiver, Antonio Brown has made huge plays to seal their last two playoff games.

The Packers love John Kuhn, a part-time runner, receiver, and blocker who always seems to make a key play. BJ Raji is a young nose tackle who makes their defense go. Just ask the Bears about his back-breaking interception in the NFC championship game. And Aaron Rodgers is never short of receiving weapons because James Jones and Jordy Nelson come down with clutch receptions.

Most passionate fans
A 2008 article by ESPN's Matt Mosley ranked Pittsburgh and Green Bay as the #1 and #2 best fan bases in the NFL. He ranked teams based on home sell-outs, season ticket waiting lists, and how well fans travel. Looking at NFL jersey sales, these two teams are still powerhouses. For 2010, Jock Jerseys reported the Steelers rank as #2 seller with Green Bay at #9. Troy Polamalu's #43 jersey is the third most popular, behind only draft-darling Tim Tebow and last year's Super Bowl MVP, Drew Brees. Aaron Rodgers is #6. The rest of the league knows these towel-twirling or cheesehead wearing fan bases, too. Their fans show up at every road game, sometimes even outnumbering the home team's faithful.

So there it is. The NFL's best fan bases will be rooting for their spectacular QBs, game-changing DBs, toughest receivers, fierce linebackers, and their unsung heroes to pull out victory in Super Bowl XLV. Forget the commercials, this is all about the game! Enjoy it.