I've been back at school for the last couple of weeks and have been getting myself situated, back in classes and working for my school newspaper, which is taking a lot more time than I originally thought ha.
Anyway here is a short preview for tomorrow night's super bowl done by yours truly.
Packers Offense vs. Steelers defense.
The Packers offense is centered on QB Aaron Rodgers and their passing game. He has been super efficient this season, completing 65.7% of his passes, which are going for 8.3 yards/attempt. Along with being efficient he has been just as productive, tossing for 261.5 yards/game and he had a +15 TD/Int. He has one of the best receivers in the country in Greg Jennings, who averages 79 yards per game receiving and has pulled in 12 touchdowns this season. He is one of the games premier deep threats with 21 receptions of 20 yards or more, and 5 receptions of 40 yards or more. The Packers offensive line has struggled at times, allowing 38 sacks this season. The Steelers have had one of the best pass defenses in the NFL this season. While they allow 61.2% completion percentage, they are best in the NFL in yards/attempt allowed at 6.3. They give up 214.1 yards/game, but they are 2nd in the NFL in Int/TD ratio at +6. A huge match up is going to be the first down efficiency for the Packers. 37.7% of Rodgers passes go for first downs, which is good for 4th in the NFL, but the Steelers only allow 30.1% of their opponents passes to go for 1st downs, good for 3rd best in the NFL. Troy Polamalu is the best safety in the NFL today, and he leads the Steelers in passes defensed and interceptions. He has been hurt throughout the playoffs but the past two weeks off should help him get in better playing shape.
Key Matchup: Packers WR Greg Jennings vs. Steelers CB Bryant McFadden
Passing Advantage: EVEN
As efficient and productive that the Packers passing offense has been the opposite averaging just 100.4 yards/game, 3.8 yards/attempt, and only 20.9% of their rushing attempts have gone for first downs. On the plus side they are +7 in TD/Fmbl ratio. Brandon Jackson and James Starks head up the Packers rushing attack, but they only average 43.9 and 33.7 yards/game respectively. Despite the success of John Kuhn on short distance downs, the Packers still struggle mightily converting just 56% of short distance downs, when they choose to run. The Steelers on the other hand are the NFL's best run defense, allowing just 62.8 yards/game and 3.0 yards/attempt, their opponents only turn 18.3% of their rushing attempts into first downs, and have forced as many fumbles as they have allowed rushing touchdowns (5). While their are many star Steelers in the front seven look for Lawrence Timmons to have big impact in this game.
Key Matchup: Packers RB-by-committee vs. Steelers LBs
Rushing Advantage: Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers Offense vs. Green Bay Packers Defense
The Steelers offense definitely missed QB Ben Roethlisberger at the beginning of the season, but they are definitely happy to have him back. He is averaging 266.7 yards/game, 8.2 yards/attempt, completing 61.5%, and finishing the regular season with a +12 TD/Int ratio. Like Rodgers, 38.3% of Roethlisbergers passes have gone for first downs. Pittsburgh has plenty of capable receivers but the one that stands out is Mike Wallace. He is the NFL's best deep threat, averaging 21.0 yards/catch, with 28 20+ yard receptions, and 10 40+ yard receptions, all three of which lead the NFL. The Steelers do have a problem with pass blocking as they have allowed 58 sacks, 23rd worst in the NFL. The Packers are #2 in the NFL in sacks with 47. The Packers have a ridiculous secondary, as they allow only 194.2 yards/game, 6.5 yards/attempt, 56.9% completion percentage, allowing 30.9% of their opponents passes to be first downs, and going +8 in the Int/TD ratio. CB Charles Woodson is one of the best defensive players in the game, for the Packer.s
Key Matchup: Steelers WR Mike Wallace vs. Packers CB Charles Woodson.
Passing Advantage: PACKERS
The Steelers have one of the games best rushing attacks, but that is going to come into question now that Maurkice Pouncey has been ruled out of the game. I could go into the numbers here but most everyone knows that the Packers have great LBs in A.J. Hawk and Clay Matthews, as well as a fantastic NT in B.J. Raji, and without a great C in Pouncey leading up front you have to know that they are going to struggle running the ball up the middle. The Steelers have a great RB in Reshard Mendenhall, so he might be able to offset some of the loss of Pouncey
Key Matchup: Steelers C Doug Legursky vs. Packers NT B.J. Raji
Rushing Advantage: EVEN
While the whole world is picking the Packers I'm going to go the opposite way here and take the Steelers. They have the better defense, and Roethlisberger is known for making big plays on a big stage.
My Pick: Steelers 28 Packers 20
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Thank you guys for reading
Check out my good friend Derek Hooper's preview at Southern Sports W/an Open Mind
If you have any questions or comments you can contact me at wherethelandsharksare@gmail.com
BATTEMAN
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