There will be no cheerleaders on the sidelines, as neither team has any. Will Ben Roethlisberger perform better when his rapist brain is not distracted by writhing female bodies?
Stop. This is not a fact or a storyline. The only fact here is that Ben Roethlisberger is completely innocent in the eyes of the law and has never been proven to have forced a drunken girl into a toilet cubicle at a low quality Georgia nightlclub and had his brutal, rapist way with her. Thus, there is no reason for me to suggest that you prefer to root for Aaron Rodgers, a fine gentleman who, as Ryan has outlined, has gone about things the correct way. No reason at all...
Proper facts and storylines from here on in then.
Green Bay has the 'we've had a playoff run' thing going for them, much like the victorious Giants did a couple of years ago. They also, though, have 'Superbowl amnesia'. Sorry babe, it's been a while.
Pittsburgh have the obvious advantage of quarterback and coach having won the Superbowl together two years past. But they also have obvious deficiencies as a team.
And yet, they are in the Superbowl. You simply don't get to this game if you are a bad team.
Green Bay lost some games, and the NFC North title, due to Aaron Rodgers' concusion issues. Pittsburgh lost some games due to Ben Roethlisberger's suspension, but still won the AFC North. Does this mean anything? Slightly.
It acts, in my head at least, as a symbolic piece of evidence that says 'Pittsburgh are the better team'. I'm not saying that they're better by much, obviously Green Bay are also excellent, but a little bit extra is all that separates the very best when the final wistle blows. Cliche over.
How about I get back to business and compare each team, position by position. I'll be quick, I promise.
Offense
Quarterbacks : Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers) and Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay) are both excellent. Rodgers is the better passer, and has the better regular season running and elusiveness/escapability stats. But who would you rather have in a Superbowl game? That's right, the man who's been there before. Advantage Pittsburgh
Running Backs : Both teams are equally as shit as each other. Green Bay would be a good running team if they had good running backs, Pittsburgh would be able to gain more than 2 yards on first down if they had a better offensive line. But, the Steelers' linemen have improved of late, and Rashard Mendenhall is the back, so I'd say edge to Pittsburgh
Wide Recievers : Green Bay wins, mainly because of Greg Jennings. Advantage Green Bay
Tight Ends : Pittsburgh wins, soley because of Heath Miller. We miss you Jermichael Finley! Advantage Pittsburgh
Offensive Lines : Pittsburgh has veered between awful performances and solid ones. The solid ones have come in, surprise surprise, the playoffs (or they wouldn't be here). The Green Bay line, even with rookie Bryan Bulaga in the lineup, is better. And the Steelers will certainly miss Maurkice Pouncey. But the Steelers are in no way as bad as the analysts would have you think. Advantage Green Bay
Defense
Defensive Lines : Considering that the two teams run practically the same base defense, a good comparison can be made. Pittsburgh are still stout and workmanlike up front, but their ends are nicked with injury and Casey Hampton is old. B.J. Raji provides youthful enthusiasm and puppy fat, but I think that the Steelers vets have more of a hard-nosed edge when it comes to buckling down and taking up blockers. Advantage Pittsburgh
Linebackers : Is Clay Matthews, undoubtedly a great player, better than James Harrison and Lamarr Woodley combined? No. Advantage Pittsburgh
Cornerback : The improvements that Tramon Williams has made, particularly during the playoffs, has rendered this Green Bay unit dangerous again. Charles Woodson could be in trouble against Mike Wallace downfield though. Ike Taylor and his teammates are solid, but lack the playmaking edge. Advantage Green Bay
Safety : Troy Polamalu's game changing ability wins this for the Steelers, irrespective of anything else. Advantage Pittsburgh
Special Teams
You don't really care, I don't really care. Conveniently, they are about as nondescript as each other. Green Bay offers a little more in the kicking game. Advantage Green Bay
Coaching
Never underestimate the value of having been there before. Unless you are Andy Murray. Mike Tomlin and Dick LeBeau win due to their prior experiences together and as individuals. Mike McCarthy of Green Bay can be relied upon to make one idiotic call per game. Advantage Pittsburgh.
So that's that. Add up the scores, and I believe Pittsburgh are ahead. I am going to go against Ryan and side with the experienced lot. Much like I did when I picked New England to humiliate the Jets. So don't listen to me, just stay up late and enjoy what should be a spectacle.
Trust us both, you don't realise how much you miss the NFL until it's over for the season!
GM
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