Super Bowl

This is it, my personal favorite sporting event of the year.  Its got everything from somewhat funny (and sometimes downright hilarious) commercials, a halftime show that occasionally is watchable, a game that recently has actually been pretty good and a nice bit of socializing along sides.  America's current game, and the one to win it all.

It has actually been tough recently, in the best possible way, to have my favorite team in the big game. This means I am a little more stressed than usual while watching, but the chance to have the 'best football team in the world' for the third time in my life is pretty awesome.  All I am hoping for is a good game, a close game, and a clean game (no more Super Bowl XL shenanigans).  As for who I pick to win, see below.

The matchup this year is great, in having two traditional powerhouses and well known teams in the big game, and the Green Bay Packers face the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Aaron Rodgers for Green Bay is the hottest quarterback in the league, and with the newfound running game of Starks, backed by a very good defensive core makes an overall good team.  The Steelers counter with Ben Roethlisberger, an already two time Super Bowl Champion who has done this the ugly way with some questionable at best officiating (XL); and the classic way with a game winning fourth quarter drive (XLIII). Supporting him is the gritty running of Rashard Mendenhall and the always tough Pittsburgh defense, with a very strong linebacking crew.  Here are the matchups to watch.

Big Ben v. Charles Woodson:  Woodson is one year removed from his defensive player of the year campaign, but in that same year Roethlisberger tore apart the Packers for a career high 503 yards passing en route to a 38-37 victory. Woodson can be moved all over the field, and is sometimes used on the corner blitz, but Ben might simply be too tough to be brought down. Ben must be aware of Woodson's play, whereever he is.

Doug Legursky v. B.J. Raji: Its pretty obvious that Pouncey is not going to play in this game, and if so, Legursky has to face the phenomenal defensive tackle that is Raji. Raji took an interception back for a touchdown last week, showing the athleticism the big man up front can play with. Legursky will need to be able to win this matchup, or Ben will have to put the team on his back for the entire length of the game without any pass protection.

Aaron Rodgers v. Dick Lebeau: Rodgers is playign very well, its obvious. All week the talk has been on Polamalu and the win percentage of the Steelers without him. But Polamalu has been a step slow recently, which means Lebeau has to have his entire unti ready to go, especially pass rushers Woodley and Harrison. Woodley typically plays well in the playoffs, with sacks in his first 6 playoff games and counting, and 10 overall.  Harrison typically plays well always, a former defensive player of the year, and one of the most feared players in football. This is the matchup I am most looking forward to this weekend, and should be a great game of cat and mouse all game long.

At the end of it all there is only one team that clearly comes out on top. And as much as sports expert Tom "Moonshine" von Allmen would love to convince you that the Flyers can win another Super Bowl, its obvious that the Pittsburgh Pirates are the real winners. With the added attention to another deep playoff run, fans in Pittsburgh will remain placated with the success of the Rooneys and the Steelers organization, making that 19th straing losing season that much easier to get through. Go Bucs. sigh.

You didn't think I would actually pick a winner did you?

Defense!

Its been a while since my last blog. Way too long, in fact, even Jake Rainwater managed to update his while I haven't done anything this break. So I decided to give my thoughts on the Playoffs so far, especially with the first double six seeds in the championship games.

That's right, you probably didnt notice, given the recent success of wild card teams winning the super bowl (see '06 Steelers, only six seed to ever win, and '08 Giants, the only five seedto ever win) but two six seeds in the playoffs? Great stuff for the NFL, no way they can screw this up.....lockout anyone?  But perhaps my favorite thing about these playoffs is the reemergence of Defensive oriented teams. The Bears, Packers, Jets, and Steeles all have phenomenal defenses ,and phenomenal players. You could probably create an all-pro defense just from these four teams.

But look at the teams who lost in the Playoffs. The Patriots and Colts featured phenomal quarterbacks and offenses, but Rex Ryan's scheming (I even am starting to like the guy now) shut down both teams. The Saints got kicked out because they had no defense. The Chiefs were soundly beaten by the Ravens when their rushing attack failed, and the Falcons lost at home due to some phenomenal defensive plays on the Packer secondary's part. 

I love defensive battles.  Love. Them. That doesnt mean low scoring necessarily, as exemplified by Steelers-Ravens, no, I am talking about games where the defenses overshadow the offenses.  Where the offense has to struggle for plays and fight for every yard. Where the quarterback has to get up after eating the turf of Soldier or Heinz Field and then convert a third and twelve. or nineteen (still cant't get over Antonio Brown).  Any way you cut it, I will be peeking at Mike Bennet's smartphone all dinner shift Sunday night, trying to get scores of both games. A shame to miss, and whoever isnt working should definitely check out both games.  You know you want to see Ben break his nose again. Or Jay Cutler get nailed by Clay Matthews. Or Sanchez knocked down by James Harrison. Either way, this is one playoff round no one wants to miss.