Packers top Steelers, 31-25 - For some 16 odd years, the tiny town of Green Bay, Wisconsin was better known for worshiping the great one they call Brett Favre. However, that is no longer the case now that there's a new sheriff in town. Although he's got quite a ways to go if he plans to break the many franchise and NFL records No. 4 has set during his lengthy career that appears to be over now, one significant area Aaron Rodgers was able to duplicate his mentor in, is the trophy case. In only his third year at the helm, Rodgers brought home the Lombardi Trophy in half the time it took Favre (six seasons). At the young age of 27, and a team full of talent returning next season, there's no telling how many rings Rodgers will end up with. Though the Packers reached the Mount Everest of Football greatness for a record 15th time counting 13 League Championships prior to the Super Bowl era, their fourth Super Bowl was anything but given to them. Before the parade began, a hard fought battle took place.
The Run Down - With Green Bay winning the coin toss, selecting to defer and get the ball at the half, Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers' boys stopped the Steelers' opening drive on offense on a three and out, before Rodgers took the field to draw first blood. The 2009 Pro Bowl QB began his productive day with a 29-yard touchdown pass to WR Jordy Nelson. Less than a minute later, Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger would be pressured, releasing an errant pass that was picked off by safety Nick Collins and returned 37-yards for a touchdown. With a 14 point deficit digging an early hole for Mike Tomlin and company, Pittsburgh was able to respond with a field-goal to start the second quarter.
With two highly regarded defenses on the field, the hard hits were bound to come. One hit that stood out, came at the expense of Steelers wide-out Emanuel Sanders who was carted off the field after being slammed knee first into the turf. One drive later, Packers veteran receiver Donald Driver who was drafted by the team in 1999, was brought down awkwardly and was seen limping off the field heading to the locker room. Safety Sam Shields who came up big for Green Bay in the win against the Bears in the NFC title game, left with an arm injury. The casualties didn't stop there, as a huge blow would be felt throughout the Packer defense one play later, when cornerback Charles Woodson aggravated his collarbone, forcing him to watch the rest of the game from the sidelines.
After a stop on defense, Roethlisberger was back at it, marching his team down field before a dangerous pass in between two Packer defenders was intercepted by CB Jarrett Bush. Taking over at midfield, Rodgers took little to no time to make Big Ben and co. pay for their mistakes, as he connected in the end-zone with his favorite target -- WR Greg Jennings. Having been out played for almost two full quarters, Roethlisberger managed to find Hines Ward 8-yards out for a touchdown, making it 21-10 heading into the half, and shifting the momentum to Pittsburgh's side. With the injuries of key players for both teams beginning to stockpile, how the second half played out was anybodies guess.
In spite of having to kick off to start the third quarter, the Steelers struck first in the second half thanks to a Rashard Mendenhall TD run 8-yards out, inching the steel curtain closer to a 21-17 score. Minutes later with a chance to make it a one point game, the Steeler offense slowly began to solve the Packer defense that appeared to be more visible in the second half, but was held near midfield and was forced to kick a field-goal that was missed 52 yards out by kicker Shaun Sweisham. With everything but the score working in Pittsburgh's favor, a huge shift of momentum would be felt when Packers linebacker Clay Mathews forced a fumble on Mendenhall, recovered by Green Bay. The Packers would eventually capitalize a few plays later, as Jennings found an opening in the right corner of the end-zone, making it 28-17.
Roethlisberger countered with a touchdown pass of his own, capped off by a successful 2-point conversion, throwing ahead of the speedy Mike Wallace, bringing them within a FG. With a chance to put the game away for good, Rodgers began marching down field, but was unable to put Dick Lebeau's defense out of its misery, and was held in the red-zone. With a decision to go for it or not, Mike McCarthy was forced to bring in the field-goal unit, as Mason Crosby split the uprights 23-yards out to make it a 6-point game. With two Super Bowl victories already under his belt, the game was anything but over for Roethlisberger, who was given the opportunity to lead his team on a game-winning drive, as the two-minute warning approached. With the fate of a record seventh Super Bowl title lying in the hands of their Pro Bowl Quarterback, a comeback would've made for a storybook ending. But that didn't happen.
With just under two minutes remaining and 87 yards to go, Roethlisberger's chance of staging a comeback similar to the one he led Pittsburgh on two seasons ago against the Cardinals, ended after he failed to get his team past midfield and turning the ball over on downs. With Aaron Rodgers kneeling the ball as the final seconds ticked off the clock, Big Ben had his first taste of Super Bowl defeat, while Green Bay's QB had his first taste of triumph as the Packers captured their fourth Super Bowl title. Rodgers who threw a number of window tight passes, displayed superb accuracy which resulted in 304 yards and 3 touchdowns on 24-of-39 passing earning him MVP honors, something not even Rodgers' mentor Brett Favre was able to accomplish in his celebrated career.
Noteworthy: With his outstanding performance and helping Green Bay top Pittsburgh 31-25, Rodgers became only the 3rd QB in NFL history to throw for over 300 yards with at least 3 touchdowns and no interceptions, joining the elite class of Steve Young and Joe Montana. Both of whom he grew up idolizing as a child and fan of the San Francisco 49ers.
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