There Can Be Only One

Less than an hour away from kickoff in Super Bowl XLV. A game between two of the most stories franchises in NFL history. The winner of the first two Super Bowls (and later a third) against a team with an NFL record six Lombardi trophies.

Vince Lombardi was the face of the Green Packers franchise when he coached and he still is today. He led the Packers to three NFL titles in addition to the two SB's, including three straight titles (1965-1967). It makes any Giants fan sick to their stomach to realize he could have easily been coaching the Giants instead of the Packers. There was Bart Starr, Paul Hornung, Max McGee, Jim Taylor, and on and on it went.

The Packers would go to the SB twice more, defeating New England and losing to Denver with Brett Favre leading the way.

Pittsburgh struggled at the bottom of the league for years, but then the 1970's came along. Coach Chuck Noll and a fearsome squad- the "Steel Curtain" defense led by Mean Joe Greene, Jack Lambert, and Jack Ham. A ferocious set of running backs in Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier, the divine Lynn Swann at wide receiver, and of course, the field general Terry Bradshaw. Four SB championships over the best the NFC had to offer- Minnesota, the LA Rams, and Dallas, not once, but twice.

Ben Rothliesberger, Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes, and Troy Polamalu would come along in this decade to help lead Pittsburgh to two more SB rings. In between there was a tough loss to Dallas, but the Steelers remain football's version of the Yankees when it comes to winning the Super Bowl.

But, there can be only one. And I say that one will be the Green Bay Packers. I was happy to see Pburg win their last two, but that's before Big Ben and his little willy started acting like an idiot. Aaron Rodgers may not be a choir boy, but he's easy to root for today. But this isn't just about that. Both teams have solid/stellar defenses that can make big plays. But for Green Bay to win they need James Starks to have a good game rushing the ball and the Packers must also contain Rashard Mendenhall on the defensive side of the ball.

Final score - Green Bay 27 Pittsburgh 21