Super Bowl XLV Preview

The Steelers were the No. 2 seed in the AFC and got to the big dance by taking down the Ravens and Jets. The Packers were the No. 6 seed and impressively pulled off upset wins on the road over the Eagles, Falcons and rival Bears. This marks Green Bay's fifth trip to the Super Bowl, three of which they won. Pittsburgh is making its NFL-record eighth appearance, and will be aiming to hoist the Lombardi trophy for the seventh time. These two teams last locked helmets in Week 15 of the 2009 campaign, with the Steelers edging the Packers 37-36 at hostile Heinz Field.  

Ben Roethlisberger directed the Steelers to the Super Bowl for the third time in his career, while this is the first trip for opposing gunslinger Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers was the more proficient passer of the pair in the regular season, but Roethlisberger gets the edge on experience with two rings earned. The Packers ranked fifth in passing yards allowed per battle in the regular season while the Steelers finished 12^th, but Pittsburgh surrendered one less touchdown (15).

Rashard Mendenhall was a force to be reckoned with in the regular season while bruising his way to 1,274 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, while rookie James Starks didn't turn heads until late in the year. Mendenhall has reached paydirt in five straight outings while Starks collected his first career touchdown last weekend at Chicago and averages a solid 87 rushing yards over Green Bay's three playoff games. The small-school sensation out of Buffalo has his toughest challenge ahead of him on the biggest stage of the world, especially since Pittsburgh closed out the regular season ranked No. 1 in rushing yards allowed per contest. Green Bay finished 18^th, but only issued six touchdowns. This should prove to be a great battle in the trenches for both rising stars.

Speed demon Mike Wallace made strides in his second NFL campaign with 60 grabs for 1,257 yards and 10 scores, and closed out the regular season with three straight 100-yard performances. He has been a total nonfactor in the playoffs though, with just four catches for 26 yards in their two wins. He will need to get back on track in order for the Steelers to keep up with the high-powered aerial attack of the Packers. 34-year-old vet Hines Ward only contributed 59 catches for 755 yards and five scores in the regular season, and just five receptions for 39 yards in the playoffs. He is clearly on the decline, and there has been speculation that he may decide to hang up his cleats while on top if the Steelers win the title. It is also worth noting that he was held to two catches for 43 yards in Pittsburgh's last Super Bowl appearance vs. Arizona. Rookie Emmanuel Sanders has been more productive than both of the aforementioned receivers for Pittsburgh in the playoffs as he reeled in five passes for 74 yards in the two outings. He is a player to watch, and looks to have a bright future in the Steel City.

For the Green & Gold, Greg Jennings reclaimed his status as an elite NFL receiver following a down 2009 campaign as he hauled in 76 passes for 1,265 yards and 12 touchdowns. He is yet to reach the end zone in the playoffs, but is hot with 16 receptions for 231 yards over the last two games. Wingman Donald Driver is similar to Ward, as he is also aging at 35, and his production dipped to 51 catches for 565 yards and four scores in the regular season –- but has been more of a factor in the playoffs with 12 catches and 141 yards in the three contests. The receiving corps of Green Bay looks to have the edge, especially when you factor in Jordy Nelson and James Jones, both of whom can do major damage if not accounted for.

Heath Miller was a disappointment this season while coming off his breakout 2009 campaign (76-789-6), but has been a factor as of late as he reached the end zone in two of the last four games and averages 51 yards over the span. You cannot forget that he has valuable Super Bowl experience with two rings, and could be a big factor versus a Green Bay defense that surrendered 74 catches and seven touchdowns to opposing tight ends in the regular season. Green Bay lost rising star Jermichael Finley in Week 5 due to a torn lateral meniscus in his right knee. Andrew Quarless has promise, but is still learning the ropes as a rookie and was unable to make an impact with just 21 catches for 238 yards and one touchdown in the regular season, the score of which came way back in Week 7 versus Minnesota. Pittsburgh has a big advantage at the position.  

Enjoy the game and consult the FFCPI for the best options for fantasy playoff leagues.