Key Super Bowl matchups
Here are some key matchups that may determine Sunday's Super Bowl: Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall vs. Packers NT B.J. Raji Mendenhall has done a nice job of taking some of the offensive heat off Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, rushing for 167 yards and three touchdowns and an average of 3.6 yards per carry in
Here are some key matchups that may determine Sunday's Super Bowl:
Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall vs. Packers NT B.J. Raji
Mendenhall has done a nice job of taking some of the offensive heat off Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, rushing for 167 yards and three touchdowns and an average of 3.6 yards per carry in just two playoff games. But he has not come up against anyone as effective as Raji. The 6-foot-2, 340-pound Raji has been compared to a grand piano and made his mark this season by clogging up rushing lanes and spitting out running backs.
Packers LOLB Clay Matthews vs. Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger
With 131/2 sacks during the regular season and 31/2 in the playoffs, Matthews and his long blonde hair are a nightmare come true for opposing quarterbacks. He effectively ended Kevin Kolb's career as the Eagles starter in Week 1 and returned his only interception during the season 62 yards for a touchdown. The mobile Roethlisberger, going for his third Super Bowl victory, is as clutch as they get in big games, but beating Matthews and the favored Pack could be his greatest achievement.
Steelers WR Mike Wallace vs. Packers LCB Charles Woodson
The lightning-fast Wallace is known jokingly as "One Trick" by his teammates because he does one thing so well: runs by defenders and catches passes. His 26 catches of 20-plus yards this season were the most in the NFL, and his average of 21 yards per catch was the best among regular receivers. He was double-teamed by the Ravens and Jets, so his playoff numbers are down. Woodson, a 13-year veteran, had a career-high 92 tackles this season and is just killing time until he goes into the Hall of Fame.
Packers QB Aaron Rodgers vs. Steelers SS Troy Polamalu
How do these numbers grab you? Rodgers has six touchdowns, two interceptions, a 109.2 rating and a 71 percent completion rate in three playoff games. He has led the Pack to five straight victories, three on the road, and runs nearly as well as he passes. Polamalu is a young Woodson. Tough, fast, and with a knack for finding the ball, the defensive player of the year with the flowing black hair had seven interceptions this season and makes plays in every corner of the field. Good luck not watching him on every Steelers defensive play.
Steelers ROLB James Harrison vs. Packers RB James Starks
Nobody on the planet plays harder than Harrison, who led the league in fines this season for dangerous hits. He also had 101/2 sacks, but, other than for his ferocious hitting, may be best known for returning an interception 100 yards in Super Bowl XLIII against the Cardinals. The rookie Starks has 263 yards on 70 carries in the playoffs, including 123 against the Eagles. He needs to occupy Harrison just enough to set up Rodgers' passing game.