Super Bowl Predictions

[Smmenen]

I am not a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers.  As an Ohioan, we hate the Steelers.   

That said, I predict that the Steelers will destroy the Packers.   

Facts:

* The AFC was significantly better this year by every relevant measure.   The AFC had better teams at the top.  The AFC did better in inter-league play.   The NFC had the dumpster fire NFC west.   The AFC teams had a much tougher play off than the NFC teams, which included the bears and the seahawks, teams that were terrible.

* The Steelers have won 2 Super Bowls in the last 6 years.  The Packers haven't even been there in a decade. 

Aaron Rogers throws for 190 yards, 2 interceptions, a fumble, and is sacked 5 times.   Big Ben will throw for 220 yards, 2 touchdowns, and the Steelers annihilate the packers 17-6.

[A.-1.]

I couldn't care less who wins.  As a Cowboys fan though, it would be disappointing to see the Steelers win their seventh before the Cowboys get their sixth.

I think Las Vegas still has the Packers as slight favorites.  I'll go with the numbers and say Packers 23, Steelers 21 in another close and exciting Super Bowl.  Greg Jennings wins the MVP award with 9 grabs for 121 yards and 2 TDs.

[mikekilljoy]

Here is another fact:

The 2005-2006 Steelers are the only #6 seed to ever make the Super Bowl and the won. They also were the first team to defeat the #1, #2, and #3 seeds in rout to the Super Bowl. Where does that sound familiar? Oh yes, this year's Green Bay Packers. Yes, other teams have won three straight road games and won (2007-2008 Giants being the last), but this being the second time that a 6 seed knocked off 3, then 1, then 2 and now facing the first team to do it... come on now.

The pick: Packers 27, Steelers 24

[Mr. Type 4]

The Pack didn't look very good in the NFC Championship as the injury hobbled bears were still able to score a couple touchdowns with their 3rd string QB as they waited around to die.  It's argueable that Pittsburgh didn't look great in the second half vs. the Jets, but the Jets were actually a serious team.  The Packers are kind of like the "best of the worst".  I dont think they have what it takes to stop Pittsburgh's run offense, and the run sets up great passes like none other. 

Aaron Rodgers and Co. are going to have play like gods if they want to beat the Steelers.  I just don't see it happening. 

Black and Gold all the way. 

Pittsburgh 21 Packers 13

[Suicideking]

Clearly the Packers are going to win. 

We went on the road and beat the number 3, 1, and 2 seeds respectively. 

We've shown time and time again that we can stop the run, and the Steelers don't have the receivers to make big plays on us.

This game is going to be played on turf in warm weather.  Rodgers is salivating for the chance to turn this game into a track race.  Field conditions are not favorable for the Steelers. 

The Packers shut out the Jets when they were coming off their bye.

Its going to be a grinder though Pack 21 Steelers 17.

[mike_bergeron]

Packers win 31-14

Charles Woodson MVP- 2 Interceptions, 1 for a TD.

[LordHomerCat]

Clearly the Packers are going to win. 

We went on the road and beat the number 3, 1, and 2 seeds respectively. 

We've shown time and time again that we can stop the run, and the Steelers don't have the receivers to make big plays on us.

This game is going to be played on turf in warm weather.  Rodgers is salivating for the chance to turn this game into a track race.  Field conditions are not favorable for the Steelers. 

The Packers shut out the Jets when they were coming off their bye.

Its going to be a grinder though Pack 21 Steelers 17.

This man knows what he is talking about.  Any game where passing yards are gained will overwhelmingly favor the Packers.  And GB really hasn't had any big problems with the run, despite a lot of D-line injuries.  It should be a fun game, but the packers will pull through.

[Suicideking]

I just saw that Aaron Rodgers has a 115.5 passer rating indoors since 2008.

[Rico Suave]

The last time the Steelers played the Packers, which was week 15 of last season and a game the Steelers won, Big Ben put up these stats:

29/46
503 yards passing (career high)
3 TD
0 INT

His receiving corps put up these numbers:

Receiving    REC    YDS    TD    LG
H. Ward    7    126    0    54
H. Miller    7    118    0    27
M. Wallace    2    79    2    60T
S. Holmes    3    77    0    33
Mendenhall 6    73    0    25
M. Moore    3    25    1    10T

Are you kidding me?  2 receivers over 100 yards and 3 more in the 70s or higher?  20+ pass plays to 5 different receivers?  

If you don't think the Steelers can pass on the Packers, you simply have no idea what you are talking about.  

[Suicideking]

Sam Shields wasnt on our team and Tramon Williams is playing much better.  Our coverage packages are way better then last year.  Our pass rush has greatly improved as BJ Raji and Clay Mathews were both rookies last year. 

[oshkoshhaitsyosh]

GO PACKERS!!! I also saw that Rodgers has the highest passer rating in the post season EVER...i believe it was somewhere around 120 so excited to see him light pitt up when Polamalu jumps some routes

[Smmenen]

The Jets held the Packers to 9 points.  What do you think the Steelers, with Troy P, are gonna do?   

Like I said, I'm no Steelers fan, but the Packers fans here live in fantasy land.   Packers are gonna get thumped. 

[Womba]

I love how everyone quotes stats, you know what stats mean in a Super Bowl, NOTHING
You know what your team's record in the Super Bowl means, NOTHING (Cough 18-0 Cough)

So I am not gonna quote stats or something with no bearing on a game that takes place in the future because any given sunday anything can happen, especially with two weeks prep.

Packers 27- Steelers 17

[Smmenen]

I love how everyone quotes stats, you know what stats mean in a Super Bowl, NOTHING
You know what your team's record in the Super Bowl means, NOTHING (Cough 18-0 Cough)

So I am not gonna quote stats or something with no bearing on a game that takes place in the future because any given sunday anything can happen, especially with two weeks prep.

Packers 27- Steelers 17

Your confusing the fact that any team is capable of winning with the fact that one team is more likely to win.    Of course stats mean something.   To say that they mean *nothing* is either gross hyperbole or stupidity.   

[Rico Suave]

Sam Shields wasnt on our team and Tramon Williams is playing much better.  Our coverage packages are way better then last year.  Our pass rush has greatly improved as BJ Raji and Clay Mathews were both rookies last year. 

You do realize that Green Bay has completely modeled themselves after Pittsburgh's defense, right? 

The Packers coach learned what he knows from working in Pittsburgh.  His coverages are identical to the ones that Steelers have been executing for years now.  Hell, even Clay Matthews is basically just James Harrison Jr. 

This is also the same defense that the Steeler's offense practices against every day.  Neither team is going to be surprised by what the other's defense is going to do.

The coverages aren't any better.  The NFC as a whole is just worse than it was last year.  Look at the top teams in the NFC - Kurt Warner disappeared and the NFC West blows, the Eagles defense was atrocious from where it's been, the Saints were on like a 4th string RB, and we all saw the Vikings collapse like a house of cards.

Here are the keys to the game.

The Packers have had success in their playoffs so far because they've been able to successfully run the ball.  They have a nice balanced attack that let them rush for a fairly solid chunk of yards to complement Rodgers who has also been playing well.  News flash: the Packers are not going to rush the ball against the Steelers.  If the Packers want to put points on the board, it's basically going to be solely on the arm of Rodgers and you know Pittsburgh is going to punch him in the face.  We saw the Bears rattle Rodger's cage and shut him out in their 2nd half, hell we saw the Detroit Lions rattle Rodger's cage and beat the Packers.

The Steelers will also put a lot of emphasis on their QB.  Big Ben will need to play well to win this game, though whether there is a big amount of pressure on him remains to be seen.  Is the Steelers offense going to play the running game like they played against the Jets?  Mendenhall has the potential to show the Packers what it's like to be men, and they already proved to the Jets that this game is tackle football and not two-hand touch.  If the Steelers establish the run at any point, this game is over.  If the Steelers are forced to pass, this game will come down to two good QBs fighting against two good defenses and will be a slug fest.

This game will likely be decided by three things:
-Special Teams which favors neither side
-Turnovers which favors neither side
-Experience which favors the Steelers

[oshkoshhaitsyosh]

The Jets held the Packers to 9 points.  What do you think the Steelers, with Troy P, are gonna do?  

Like I said, I'm no Steelers fan, but the Packers fans here live in fantasy land.   Packers are gonna get thumped.  

Jets are also inconsistant, they can look awesome one week and shit the next. Im not a packers fan  ....ive just seen Troy get blown out by trying to jump routes. Im so excited for Aaron Rodgers to suprise the non-pitt fans (haha) that are rooting for pitt...SOOOOO EXCITED I AM!

...In addition why are most analysts picking packers, and vegas has packers, HMMMMMMMMMM

[Womba]

I love how everyone quotes stats, you know what stats mean in a Super Bowl, NOTHING
You know what your team's record in the Super Bowl means, NOTHING (Cough 18-0 Cough)

So I am not gonna quote stats or something with no bearing on a game that takes place in the future because any given sunday anything can happen, especially with two weeks prep.

Packers 27- Steelers 17

Your confusing the fact that any team is capable of winning with the fact that one team is more likely to win.    Of course stats mean something.   To say that they mean *nothing* is either gross hyperbole or stupidity.  

Whoopiedo

So one team maybe more likely to win how? Are you going to break it out in a nice graph form so I have a nice layout for the statistical analysis of the projected winner according to stats?

Also what do the stats mean? A more likely team winning? How? Why?
Given two weeks to prepare on a netural field factor into the stats? How? Why?

[Smmenen]

The Jets held the Packers to 9 points.  What do you think the Steelers, with Troy P, are gonna do?  

Like I said, I'm no Steelers fan, but the Packers fans here live in fantasy land.   Packers are gonna get thumped.  

Jets are also inconsistant, they can look awesome one week and shit the next. Im not a packers fan  ....ive just seen Troy get blown out by trying to jump routes. Im so excited for Aaron Rodgers to suprise the non-pitt fans (haha) that are rooting for pitt...SOOOOO EXCITED I AM!

...In addition why are most analysts picking packers, and vegas has packers, HMMMMMMMMMM

Uh, do you actually know how the line works?   Giving points to the packers does NOT mean that Vegas thinks that Packers are going to win.   The line is constructed to maximize the number of bets. 

[oshkoshhaitsyosh]

The Jets held the Packers to 9 points.  What do you think the Steelers, with Troy P, are gonna do?  

Like I said, I'm no Steelers fan, but the Packers fans here live in fantasy land.   Packers are gonna get thumped.  

Jets are also inconsistant, they can look awesome one week and shit the next. Im not a packers fan  ....ive just seen Troy get blown out by trying to jump routes. Im so excited for Aaron Rodgers to suprise the non-pitt fans (haha) that are rooting for pitt...SOOOOO EXCITED I AM!

...In addition why are most analysts picking packers, and vegas has packers, HMMMMMMMMMM

Uh, do you actually know how the line works?   Giving points to the packers does NOT mean that Vegas thinks that Packers are going to win.   The line is constructed to maximize the number of bets. 

Since you know all about vegas and betting, can you please elaborate on why most NFL analysts are taking packers to win? I would hardly say the pack will get thumped. They have arguably the best defensive player of the year, and Rodgers is red hot regardless of Pitt defense or not. It will be a really good game but IMO packers have the edge

[LordHomerCat]

I'm sorta curious how many of you guys have actually been watching NFC games this year, particularly the packers.  As much of this forum tends to either be from a) Ohio, where they will show every steelers game or b) new england, where it will still be all AFC games that you care about, I wonder if any of you guys have seen Green Bay play more than the last three weeks.  As good as they are on paper, Aaron Rodgers is even better than that.  You are kidding yourself if you think that all the analysts and Vegas are wrong; if it walks like a duck, talks like a duck, and looks like a duck, it's probably a duck.  The packers are a favorite for a reason.

And while Vegas does want to encourage betting, they don't want to lose money.  If they put up a bad line and most of the betters win... they don't make as much money.  So they put out a line close to what they think will really happen, and maybe nudge it SLIGHTLY to try to make more action happen.  If they thought Pittsburgh was the favorite, the line would reflect that, so they don't lose their shirts when they pick horribly wrong.

[TracerBullet]

I'm sorta curious how many of you guys have actually been watching NFC games this year, particularly the packers.  As much of this forum tends to either be from a) Ohio, where they will show every steelers game or b) new england, where it will still be all AFC games that you care about, I wonder if any of you guys have seen Green Bay play more than the last three weeks.  As good as they are on paper, Aaron Rodgers is even better than that.  You are kidding yourself if you think that all the analysts and Vegas are wrong; if it walks like a duck, talks like a duck, and looks like a duck, it's probably a duck.  The packers are a favorite for a reason.

One point I'd like to make- The "analysts" are usually TV stars first and analysts second.  You'll notice they still pay more attention to per-game stats than per possession/per play stats.  They still pay more attention to the team stars than to the team balance.  They run puff pieces on each and every player during the Super Bowl run-up just to pump the attendance and interest.  I have much more faith in Vegas than "the analysts".

And while Vegas does want to encourage betting, they don't want to lose money.  If they put up a bad line and most of the betters win... they don't make as much money.  So they put out a line close to what they think will really happen, and maybe nudge it SLIGHTLY to try to make more action happen.  If they thought Pittsburgh was the favorite, the line would reflect that, so they don't lose their shirts when they pick horribly wrong.

Dead on.

[Suicideking]

Vegas also happens to be very good at predicting championship games. This is where Vegas makes it's money. Any sports better knows you make your money in the regular season when games fall through the cracks not during the playoffs when theres a lot more focus.

Anyways I'm super psyched to see Anderson Silva defend his title Saturday night and the Packer win another on Sunday. Great sports weekend.

[KingSquee]

IMO the Packers are the latest incarnation of The Greatest Show on Turf, despite playing their home games in the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field.

The Packers won a close one in the cold at Philly ( ), blew out the Falcons indoors, and won a close one in the cold against Da Bears. They're playing the Steelers indoors. It doesn't look good for the Black & Gold.

HOWEVER, the Steelers > the Falcons, so it won't be a blowout. The winner may very well be the last team that scores. Packers 35, Steelers 28.

[Yare]

Steelers win one of the great games of our time, 27-24.

[mikekilljoy]

Vegas also happens to be very good at predicting championship games. This is where Vegas makes it's money. Any sports better knows you make your money in the regular season when games fall through the cracks not during the playoffs when theres a lot more focus.

Anyways I'm super psyched to see Anderson Silva defend his title Saturday night and the Packer win another on Sunday. Great sports weekend.

Yeah, like when they had the Giants as 2 Touchdown underdogs vs the Patriots...

[TheClonedOne]

Steelers by 7 and Silva by KO.

[Troy_Costisick]

The Packers had to face the over-hyped Eagles who got in b/c the NFC South collapsed this year.  Then they faced the Falcons who allways self-destruct in the playoffs.  Then they had to face Da Bears who only got to the conference champs b/c they were able to play the worste playoff team in history!

The Steelers had to beat a very motivated Ravens team and a very energetic and unpredictable Jets team to get there.  They are battle-tested and hungry.  The Pack are just happy to be there.

The Packers have no run game and will get decimated by the Steelers D.  I predict the Steelers 23 vs. Packers 13.  Ben will throw one INT and one TD.  Rogers will throw 3 INT and 1 TD.  MVP will be Mendenhall.

Go Colts.

Peace,

-Troy

[MagicMan]

Vegas also happens to be very good at predicting championship games. This is where Vegas makes it's money. Any sports better knows you make your money in the regular season when games fall through the cracks not during the playoffs when theres a lot more focus.

Anyways I'm super psyched to see Anderson Silva defend his title Saturday night and the Packer win another on Sunday. Great sports weekend.

In a perfect world Vitor would win as Anderson was lucky to escape the beating he took last time as Sonnen might be the worst wrestler at defending submissions. On another note I guess I have to root for the Packers, but thats like choosing shit from shiola. Although any team winning the super bowl other then the Jets or Colts is a blessing IMO.

[honestabe]

I see the Packers taking this one down in an interesting, but not particularly close game

27-17

[2nd_lawl]

You boys sure do like that Superb Owl