The Trend Of Unknown Heroes Will Continue In Super Bowl XLV

A theme synonymous with the Super Bowl is best explained with a quote about a box of chocolate made popular by the movie “Forrest Gump”: you never know what you’re gonna get.

Unpredictability comes at the start of the week of the big game. Teams fly in early to the location of the game and get side tracked with media day, extreme exposure by fans and analysts, and events thrown all over the city in their honor. Not to mention the endless preparation needed to get tickets for friends and family, and the diversion of being the center of attention for two whole weeks.

That topic of unpredictability then carries over to the actual game. While certain Hall of Famers have made big imprints during the football championship, it’s usually players that people know little about that make historic impact plays.

Unknowns like David Tyree and his helmet catch (Super Bowl XLII), Mike Jones and his one yard line tackle at the last second (XXXIV), or Don Beebe slapping the ball out of the hand of showboating Leon Lett as he was about to score a touchdown on a fumble recovery.(XXVII) remain the repeated stories told years later in regards to those games.

With the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburg Steelers facing off in Super Bowl XLV, one team will likely have a player that no one knows about who will create a new chapter in football’s championship record book. Both teams have standout players that were key to their success, but to win a title, it’ll be about which team will have the undercover hero.

Here are some players to look out for during the last Sunday of the NFL season:

James Starks – RB – Green Bay Packers

After surprising everyone in the wild card game with his first 100-yard running game, especially the Philadelphia Eagles, it looked as if the Packers finally found an option for their run game with James Starks. The next two playoff games featured a heavy dose of handoffs for the young rookie (20 carries or more), but he was unable to reach the century mark for yardage in either contest.

With the focus of Green Bay shinning down upon Aaron Rodgers, it could be possible that Pittsburg may over look the former sixth round running back. That means lots of deep coverage and less men in the box to contend with the spread, heavy passing offense the Packers like to go with.

If that becomes the focus of the game for Mike McCarthy’s offense and the Steelers do indeed drop coverage, expect holes to open up for the University of Buffalo tailback. A couple of big runs and scores could be on the horizon for Starks, and maybe an MVP for the Super Bowl if he can step up as the secret weapon during the title game.

Antonio Brown – WR – Pittsburg Steelers

This rookie has already made a small name for himself with game clinching catches late in the fourth quarter of both playoff games, but don’t expect Antonio Brown to be a focal point for the Packers’ defensive game plan.

With only two receptions in the first twelve weeks of the season, the former Central Michigan wideout has been involved with the regular offense in the last third of the season with multiple catches in each of the last five games. He would have his best game of the year against the Ravens in the second round of the playoffs with three catches for 75 yards.

It’s easy to overlook the 2010 sixth round selection of the Steelers when there are more established weapons like Hines Ward, Heath Miller, and Mike Wallace. If the Packers set their attention to stopping these three options, Ben Roethlisberger will most likely see number 84 open on many passing plays.

Ryan Clark – FS – Pittsburg Steelers

While Troy Polamalu creeps around the line and in the middle of the field to stalk his opposition prior to making the big play, it is their free safety Ryan Clark who sits in behind the high octane strong safety as the last line of defense.

As one of the most underrated and overlooked players on this impressive Steelers defense, this nine-year player relishes in the fact that his safety counter part gets all the attention. This allows Clark to make surprise plays like the interception and forced fumble he had against the Ravens in the second round of the playoffs.

Rodgers will definitely have to keep his eyes open for wherever Polamalu maybe lurking, but he should be just as aware of where Clark will be if he hopes to make his efficient offense run well during the Super Bowl.

A.J. Hawk – LB – Green Bay Packers

While Clark has a chance to come up big because of the attention to Polamalu, a player on the Packers defense will also have a similar chance to come up big due to the focus his teammate occupies.

A.J. Hawk plays the left middle linebacker position for Green Bay, but it is left outside linebacker, Clay Matthews, that offenses plan away from. Matthews has been influential in the playoffs with 3.5 sacks and a fumble recovery, while Hawk hasn’t created a big play at all this post season (a non-tackle statistic).

For this reason alone, the Ohio State alum is due for a breakout game.

As a key component for Green Bay’s defense during the regular season, it is unusual for Hawk to remain quiet for four straight contests. With this Super Bowl game being the fourth in the post season, he should be bounce back to have a big game.

The Steelers will also play like most other offenses do and will pay close attention to Matthews, meaning they will run everything through the middle or to the right side. The player that will clean up because of this game plan will be the middle linebacker, Hawk.

The way the Super Bowl unfolds is the same each year. On one side, there are the superstars that rise to the occasion to play to their usual standards. Then, there are those headliners who never meet the expectations they usually showcase all season long. In the end though, the team that raises the Vince Lombardi trophy usually comprises of the most important plays by the most obscure of players.

Even though it’s hard to determine what you are going to get come Sunday, having that historic, unsung hero on your side tends to lead to something sweeter than chocolate: a championship.

The Intruiging Possibilities For Super Bowl XLV

Just how intriguing can this year’s Super Bowl be? Let’s now look at what are some of the match ups and scenarios that could be possibilities after the AFC/NFC championship games end:

Green Bay Packers vs Pittsburgh Steelers

Two historic franchises could frame the ultimate David and Goliath-type of match up if they have their way in their conference finals.

The Steelers would be the out-right favorite as the stronger team on both sides of the ball that could brew up headaches for the Packers coaching staff. Pittsburgh is a team that has seen it all, done it all, and facing a potent Green Bay offense will not scare their defense.

After playing through two road games though, the Packers could surely enhance their confidence going into the Super Bowl if they could knock off the Bears in Chicago.

Key Match Up: Aaron Rodgers arm vs Troy Polamalu’s Defensive Instincts

Chicago Bears vs Pittsburgh Steelers

If you are a fan of old school football, bone-crunching tackles, and an all out war between two sides, pray that this will be the two teams that come out of championship week successful.

Both teams have strong beliefs that they have the best defense in the league; but can you blame them? They both play in divisions that require top notch, smash mouth hitters on the defensive side of the ball. Toughness is the identity both defenses wear on their sleeves like tattoos.

Yet, despite having the ability to stop their opposition from scoring, putting up points will be more of a problem for both squads. Both are capable of making plays on offense, but that will be a more difficult task to accomplish against the other’s defense. So if you like high scoring and big offensive plays, you better hope this isn’t how the Super Bowl ends up when the dust clears on championship weekend.

Key Match Up: Chicago’s Offense vs Pittsburgh’s Offense

Chicago Bears vs New York Jets

This is quite an intriguing match up for teams whose offenses are like old, rundown cars: sometimes they have trouble starting and often end up stalling towards the end of the ride.

While the Jets defense is not on an elite level as the Bears or Steelers are, their resume during this post season run says otherwise. If you can contain a Colts and Patriots offense (led by Peyton Manning and Tom Brady) from scoring more than your offense that is questionable in terms of when it will show up, then you should have that swagger of feeling elite. Yet, both New England and Indianapolis don’t have defenses like the Bears do.

The key on both sides will be special teams, as each have weapons that can make big splashes in the return game (Devin Hester for Chicago and Antonio Cromartie for New York). Field position will be the ultimate key in a game where both offenses need as much help as possible.

Key Match Up: Chicago Bears Special Teams vs New York Jets Special Teams

Green Bay Packers vs New York Jets

Who wouldn’t want to see these two storied franchises, who combined to win the first three Super Bowls ever played, go up against each other for a title for the first time ever?

This match up would have the most common playing field in terms of talents and strength if these historic teams were to face off against each other. Both have young quarterbacks that are looking to prove they belong in the discussion as elite talents. Their offenses are similar in that they are stronger at one facet of the game (Jets running game and Packers passing ability) than the other (Jets passing game and Packers rushing ability).

Both defenses are exceptional, especially against the pass, but it is the Jets that have the advantage on stopping the ground game than the Packers are. It would also be an intriguing match up on the sidelines with Ryan’s abrasive, boisterous personality against coach Mike McCarthy’s calm, serene demeanor.

Key Matchup: Packers Run Defense vs Jets Run Offense

Anyway you look at it, the potential battles that the Super Bowl may entail is exciting to imagine. Aside from the great match ups, this year’s game or winner could give a refreshing new look for one of the most watched sports events every year. Of the remaining teams, only the Pittsburgh and Chicago are also the only teams of the last four that have played in the game since 2000 (and only the Steelers have won a title since the turn of the new decade).

Intriguing…isn’t it?

An Unexpected Final Four For The 2011 NFL Playoffs

We are inching ever so close to Super Bowl 2011 and just trying to figure out who will play for the Vince Lombardi trophy is puzzling. The NFC and AFC Championship games will feature four teams who many had no belief would make it this far, let alone the playoffs.



Who could have ever seen this coming?



The NFC side will showcase the sixth seed Green Bay Packers, who stormed through Phildelphia and Atlanta, against their division rival and second seeded Chicago Bears, who dismantled Seattle with ease after a first round bye. The boastful New York Jets, who shocked both Indianapolis and New England in their house, will battle the enduring Pittsburgh Steelers, a team fresh off a hard fought victory over the Baltimore Ravens, for the AFC title game.



This is definitely a season where betting on the underdog could churn a hefty pay out. It is stunning to see a playoff picture with notable absences in the playoffs over the past few years (those usuals include New England, Indianapolis, New Orleans and Philadelphia). Even more surprising is how they were all shocked by teams most gave no chance to win.



How could these franchises be just one step away from the professional football title game when they were never in the discussion to reach this far at any point this season?



Let’s look at the 2010 journey for these four squads.





Chicago Bears





Prior to the start of the season: The Bears are like the old, historical pirates that people hear stories about: lost at sea with no compass to direct them, yet somehow they find their destination. It was only five years ago that this team made it to the Super Bowl, only to lose at the hands of Peyton Manning and his Colts. Since then, they have had only one winning season and no playoff appearances. It looked like it would be another season of watching from home with the Vikings loading up again and Green Bay looking ready to take the next step.



During the season: That outlook on the season was very much a skewed according to the Bears. With Cutler’s improvement and a defense that looked like the one from five years ago, the Bears appeared back to their winning ways. They started out hot, winning their first three and taking top billing over the NFC Central, but sputtered a bit as they entered their bye week losing three of four. They would recover to rip off five straight wins and they would lock up the division, as well as the second seed of the playoffs.





Green Bay Packers





Prior to the start of the season: For the cheese heads, it was all about taking down their rivals Minnesota Vikings and their former messiah Brett Favre after they watched him march the Vikes to the 2009 NFC Championship game. Aaron Rodgers finally got a taste of the playoffs in 2009, and he revived faith in an organization that he could begin a new chapter in the Packers history book.



During the season: The franchise and its fans rode that same hope as the Packers would go on to a 6-3 record to start the season. As the year progressed, it was obvious that the Vikings ship was sunk and the only barrier that stood between Green Bay and the division title were the Bears. They would remain neck and neck with Chicago after their bye week, but a Rodgers concussion quickly halted their chance to take over the division. They would win the last game of the season, luckily securing them the final spot in the playoffs.





Pittsburg Steelers





Prior to the season: After winning another title during the 2009 season, the Steelers looked ready to return back to the promise land. With QB Ben Roethlisberger still under center, and defensive beasts Troy Polamalu and James Harrison making big plays, it seemed inevitable. The Ravens would erase those happens after taking the last spot of the playoffs away from them. Then, prior to the start of this season, Roethlisberger was suspended for the first four games of the season and it looked like 2010 had a high probability of replicating the 2009 season.



During the season: Lucky for the Steelers, Dennis Dixon and Charlie Batch were able to keep the team afloat with three wins in the four games Roethlisberger was suspended for. After their bye week and Roethlisberger’s activation, the team continued floating higher and higher in the standings. They would go on to win nine of their last twelve games of the season and only trailed behind the Patriots for the best record in the AFC.





New York Jets





Prior to the season: If anyone selected the Jets as one of the participants in the AFC title game in 2009, then give yourself a round of applause. What the achieved that season was miraculous, despite the bellowing from their rambunctious leader Rex Ryan that this team was a Super Bowl contender. That success led to their own reality show, in which those same prophecies that Ryan had been loudly protesting became the moniker of the show. Despite the hype, most felt that his bantering was nothing more than hot air and that the team would not be able to duplicate their overachieving success from 2009.



During the season: Those J-E-T-S, Jets! Jets! Jets! would show off early that coach Ryan’s boldness was felt throughout his players. They would start the season 5-1 and looked to finally prove the naysayers wrong in that they were an elite team. Then, after winning four of their next five after their bye week, the Jets would stumble by losing back-to-back games and concerns were raised that QB Mark Sanchez may be starting to choke. They would go on to win two of their last three, eventually capturing the final playoff spot.



It’ll be interesting to see how the final two stages of the season play out and what scenarios will be brought up for the Super Bowl. Both conference championship games will be exciting when they are played out and will produce a participant for the NFL title that no one expected.



Unforeseen endings will most likely be the theme heading into the final game, just as it has been for the first two rounds of this year’s playoffs.