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?