This will be the first Super Bowl with both starting quarterbacks with beards. Abraham Lincoln would be proud. With the game taking place at Jerry Jones’ air-conditioned palace, the weather won’t be a factor. Hopefully a kicker will hit the giant TV over the field. The look on Jerry’s face would be priceless. I’m sure there will be betting action on that happening. There will be plenty of punts as both teams have outstanding defenses and have allowed the fewest points in the NFL this season. They also have two players with the longest hair in Super Bowl history in Troy Polamalu and Clay Matthews. I’m thinking there will be a couple of commercials for hair products.
I’m going to start with the Packers. They’ve had a wonderful season despite having 16 players on injured reserve, many of whom were key starters. Recently injured players made a name for themselves by complaining, I mean tweeting about not being included in the Super Bowl team photo. Whatever they are will hopefully have no effect on the game. The Packers have had a lot of endorsements and guys who signed on the streets and Target steps up and is productive for them. None were bigger than running back James Starks, who, although selected in the later rounds, was on the practice squad for most of the season. He has been solid since he was inserted as a starter. He has provided balance to the offense with his ability to run between tackles and keep Aaron Rodgers out of third long. In addition, and what is more important, he has not coughed up the ball. Aaron Rodgers has been fantastic all year and should have made the Pro Bowl. But he wouldn’t have gone since he’s going to a slightly more significant bowl. He has gambled himself for elite quarterback status. It also helps that he had a top defense league behind him. This allowed him to play free and quiet and not have the pressure of forcing passes to score many points, like his predecessor Brett Farve. (He just had to get his name one last time) The cause for concern is the Packers’ inexperience in the Super Bowl. None of the players or coaches have participated in the Super Bowl. There is something to be said for knowing how to answer the same dumb questions over and over again. Like “What did you have for breakfast today?” Coaches need to make sure they strike the balance of enjoying the festivities, because you never know if and when the team will be back in the Super Bowl. They have to make sure the Packers get to work and don’t spend too much time at the many local dance studios for professional adult ladies. The nice thing for the Packers is that the game is played on the field’s turf, which after playing on the Soldiers’ unkempt field, will be a breeze in air-conditioned Texas. The Packers play in Green Bay and on the legendary “frozen tundra.” But this team is designed for artificial surfaces with its passing ability, quick receivers, and fast pass rushers. The Steelers might be a bit shaken up on the first few possessions when they see firsthand how quick the Packers are. Of course, they won’t be too fast if they spend too much time enjoying the adult attractions.
The Steelers have overcome the lack of Ben Roethisberger, who was suspended for the first month of the season to start the season, and an oft-injured offensive line to reach the Super Bowl. They’ve made it to the Super Bowl in typical Steelers fashion. A magnificent and most finished defense. A punishing ground game, which has been a trademark since the Nixon administration and clutch room endorsement. Big Ben comes out of the bags so often that he looks like a father playing with his children. Rashard Mendenhall has improved every year and this year has been the best. He possesses the power, speed, and balance of a dancer. He can run over tacklers and run away from them. There, the defense has survived injuries on the defensive line, but the backs have done a good job of filling out. The strength of the defense is his linebackers, who are talented, smart and mean like linebacker James Harrision, who commits many personal fouls just by looking at him. Troy Polamalu isn’t as bad as James Harrision, but he is just as disruptive and should be kept in mind at all times, even during warm-ups. The cause for concern has to be their best offensive lineman and center Markice Pouncey will be out with a sprained or broken ankle. (My first mention of a center). No one knows how valuable snaps are until there’s a missed snap or the long snapper sends a snap down the river. Backup center Doug Legursky did a good job against the Jets when Pouncey went down, but the Packers will have two weeks to figure out a way to test him. They also have a 325-pound nose tackle who is quick, smart, has good hands and is extremely difficult to move. The positive for the Steelers is that they have experience playing Super Bowls, this being their third appearance in the last six years. For them, this will be just another game, except for the two-hour halftime show and the gigantic television above.
I’m looking forward to an entertaining game, fun commercials, and Fergie not so much as flashing a toenail during the halftime show. So to my readers, enjoy the game and good luck in whatever betting pool you find yourself in.
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