Cheeseheads Conquer

Steelers’ Scorched on Super Sunday
National Anthem goofs and dreadful halftime shows aside, Superbowl XVL turned out to be an intriguing gala. I was bracing for the unequivocal Pittsburgh comeback, but it never did come to fruition. The persistent Green Bay Packers were too good; their gifted quarterback too efficient. Green Bay won a 31-25 decision in Dallas to earn another trophy for the franchise that brought us Vince Lombardi. Their champion signal caller, Aaron Rodgers, was awarded the game’s MVP. The Steelers fell short of their seventh title due to costly turnovers and an ineffective passing game.
Rodgers capped an incredible post-season run to give the Packers their first championship trophy in 14 years. The quarterback for Green Bay threw three touchdowns and completed 24-of-39 passes for 304 yards in the win. Ben Roethlisberger, meanwhile, tossed a pair of interceptions into double coverage and finished with 263 passing yards. Roethlisberger recorded two touchdown strikes but the Steelers’ offense was kept in check by a resilient Green Bay attacking scheme. The Packers put up 14 first quarter points, making the AFC Champion Steelers look like the more inexperienced team on the field. Pittsburgh went three-and-out on the opening possession after Green Bay won the coin toss and deferred the ball to the second half.
The Packers showed off why they were able to win three playoff games on the road late in the first quarter. Rodgers orchestrated an 80 yard drive on nine plays to give the green and yellow the first points of Superbowl XVL. Jordy Nelson hauled in a 29 yard pass with 3:44 remaining in the opening stanza. The touchdown reception was just one of Nelson’s nine on the day. Nelson led all players with 140 yards receiving. The Packers wasted no time in increasing their advantage to two scores by capitalizing on Roethlisberger’s first interception. Safety, Nick Collins got the pick-six for Green Bay when he stole Big Ben’s pass and raced 37 yards into the end zone. The Steelers followed their turnover with a seven minute, 13 play drive culminating in a field goal. Shaun Suisham’s 33 yard kick through the uprights cut the Packers’ lead to 14-3.
Green Bay’s solid secondary struck again in the second quarter, despite Pittsburgh moving the ball well offensively. Roethlisberger was hit while releasing the football. The ball bounced between various players before Green Bay’s Jarrett Bush came up with it to set the Pack up at midfield. The mobile, strong-armed quarterback, Rodgers, fired frozen ropes and managed just four plays before hitting Greg Jennings from 21 yards out. Green Bay pummeled Pittsburgh’s defense with a five-wide set and overcame some hard hits from the Steelers’ secondary. With the end of the first half approaching, Pittsburgh responded with an impressive drive. Roethlisberger moved the chains 77 yards before finding his old reliable receiver, Hines Ward. Ward was wide open for the eight yard touchdown catch with 39 ticks on the clock. The Steelers trailed 21-10 at the half.
Both teams exchanged punts to begin second half play. The Steelers were the first to score five minutes into the third quarter. Rashard Mendenhall rushed eight yards on a five play Steelers drive to trim the Pittsburgh deficit to four points. Mendenhall had a strong day in the backfield, with 63 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown. Pittsburgh’s rugged defense found its footing in the second half and kep the Packers off the scoreboard until early in the final stanza. The Steelers were poised to finally take the lead in the fourth quarter when Mendenhall fumbled. Rodgers flicked a second touchdown pass to Jennings on the ensuing drive to put the Packers up by eleven with just under twelve minutes to play.
Pittsburgh did not let up. Roethlisberger kept it coming with an aerial attack. Mike Wallace’s over-the-shoulder touchdown reception from Big Ben was followed by a successful two-point conversion to make it a three point game. Green Bay knocked home a field goal with 2:07 left, allowing the Steelers one final possession and a chance at the win. Roethlisberger ordered the hurry-up mode on offense and quickly completed a pass for first down. He overthrew Wallace deep down field to set up a fourth down with one minute remaining. The drive stalled 69 yards short when Wallace dropped a very catchable pass, and the Steelers were forced to turn the ball over on downs. Pittsburgh’s comeback in Dallas was stunted as the Packers prevailed to their fourth title in franchise history. Wallace finished with 89 yards receiving and Ward was credited with 79. The Packers ran for just 50 yards but it didn’t seem to matter last night. Rodgers was simply the best player on the field, and that’s what mattered in the end.

Parting Points: Tom Brady was the first unanimous MVP.