Steelers Fanatic Breaks Down Super Bowl XLV

With the game that Pittsburghers say could be the Steelers’ “Stairway to Seven” just hours away, fans are chomping at the bit to see if our team can bring home a seventh Super Bowl title. 

Steelers fan and football fanatic Brandon Means, 26, a resident who prefers to be called B.H., guided us through the AFC Championship game versus the Jets. Now, he has the breakdown on Super Bowl XLV.

“The X-factor for the Steelers’ offense is that our backup center, Doug Legursky, is going to get his first start. Legursky versus B.J. Raji of the Packers is the matchup to watch because it can dictate the Steelers’ ability to move the ball,” Means said.

Maurkice Pouncey, Steelers center who normally starts, is suffering from a high-ankle sprain and will not be able to play.

When it comes to defense, Means said, “Green Bay is going to try to spread our defense with four or five wide receiver sets and it’s going to be up to James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley to keep pressure on Packers quarterback, Aaron Rodgers.”

Other keys to victory for each team according to Means are as follows:

Steelers:

• Team has to hit Rodgers early and often during the game. Players need to put pressure on him and basically knock him down in order to at least destroy him mentally.
• Ike Taylor must shut down Packers wide receiver, Greg Jennings.
• Players must protect Big Ben from Clay Matthews, the Packers linebacker (who wins the award for second best hair in the NFL after Troy Polamalu.)

Packers:

• Players need to keep Big Ben in their pocket: this means not letting him scramble or give him time for his Young Money Crew to open up.
• Players need to shut down the running game—no team can successfully run the ball like the Steelers.
• Aaron Rodgers must always have tabs on Troy Polamalu.

While each team has a decent shot at winning, Means is confident in another Steelers victory. 

“In light of the Santonio Holmes trade, the accusations against Ben Roethlisberger and James Harrison’s fines, the Steelers have been able to overcome a lot of adversity this season, showing what a strong team it is.  It’d be satisfying to see them hoisting a seventh Super Bowl trophy,” Means said.

Adding an MVP win for Roethlisberger or Harrison would elevate the victory to an even greater level, he said. 

Means’ final score prediction? Steelers 21 and Packers 19.

“Ultimately, whoever wins the turnover battle is going to win the game.”