Pittsburgh Steelers' James Harrison (92) pressures Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers during the second half of the NFL football Super Bowl XLV game Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Green Bay wide receiver Greg Jennings may never pursue a career in journalism, but he summarised the events of Superbowl 45 quicker and simpler then anyone who is paid to do so: “It’s a great day to be great”.
Hardly a revolutionary statement but on a day where the Green Bay faithful witnessed the Lombardi Trophy return home to Lambeau Field for the first time since 1997, those few words best encapsulated what the Packers had just achieved.
Moments before, the game was in the balance as Ben Roethlisberger looked to drive the length of the field in the final two minutes, only to fail on a fourth down conversion.
The Packers, who are the second youngest team in the NFL, certainly did not show their inexperience early on, jumping out to a 14-0 lead before Pittsburgh kicker Shaun Suisham put points on the board for the Steelers.
It was a rare highlight for the former Cowboy who will be remembered on the night for his wayward attempt at a 52 yard field goal that would have put his side in striking range. Since 2005, Suisham has played in eight teams (twice for Dallas and Pittsburgh) and continually let himself down with poor performances. Superbowl 45 may have been the final hurdle the 29 year old will have to face.
Suisham was not the only one to have a negative impact on the match, Christina Aguilera’s botching of the American national anthem and the half time performance by the Black Eyed Peas ensuring the Steelers kicker would not walk alone.
The American anthem can be sung in various octaves and dramatised to the full extent of the word; Christina Aguilera’s rendition of The Star Spangled Banner was overdone in all departments, but that was the least of her worries.
As the high notes were bellowed around Texas, she fumbled the lyrics in a way that let Rashard Mendenhall off the hook. An entire line was skipped and the lyrics “What so proudly we watched at the twilight’s last gleaming” were repeated in place of them.
Not the best way to sell America’s patriotism to the one billion people that had conveniently tuned in just moments before. You think it would pay to know the words upon being selected to do the honours.
Super Bowl half time shows have traditionally offered acclaimed musicians the chance to perform each year, so when the Black Eyed Peas were announced as the 2011 headline act it was hard to not be already disappointed.
Fergie was happy to lap up her 15 minutes of fame, but for arguments sake I would suggest the appearance did nothing but discourage fans from attending their live concerts. Being aided by an electronic synthesizer hardly defines talent. If anything, the high school dancers propped with LED lighted outfits and some impressive moves stole the show away from the glamour queen and her boys.
Fellow frizzy haired star Saul Hudson, better know by his stage name of “Slash”, also struggled to play a role in his duet with the Black Eyed Peas front runner. Fergie’s version of Sweet Child of Mine wasn’t a scratch on what Axl Rose produced some 23 years ago. The NFL just wasn’t ready for a Fergalicious performance, than again, who was?
Where the singing was lacklustre at best, the game itself held Superbowl 45 afloat and away from the swarm of media that were ready to take aim.
Aaron Rodgers managed to fabricate an offensive dictatorship that kept the Steelers defence in line for the greater part of the evening. Minus Charles Woodson, who was forced out of the game with a shoulder injury, the Packers defence held its own, forcing three turnovers on the night.
Pre-match analysis highlighted the need for either sides defence to break up the offensive powerhouses that were Aaron Rodgers and Ben Roethlisberger.
In recording two interceptions, including a 37 yard return for a Touchdown by safety Nick Collins, and a forced fumble by Pro Bowl line backer Clay Matthews, the Packers were well on their way to victory.
Trailing 21-3 before the half, the Steelers capped off a long drive with a touchdown throw to the ever reliable Hines Ward who found room in the corner of the end-zone.
On their ensuing possession, the Steelers made easy work of a short field, setting up a four point ball game on the back of a Rashard Mendenhall rushing touchdown.
Any Packers fan that had settled into complacency had to be shaken with apprehension as Steelers continue to draw closer.
As both defences continued to lock horns, it was becoming aware that the Pittsburgh defence was unable to compliment the upbeat offense. Troy Polamalu was deemed by many to be the key player from a defensive standpoint after being recognised as the game’s ‘Defensive Player of The Year’.
The story did not bode so well on the day for Polamalu, who could only manage three tackles in a role that kept the play maker attached to floating receivers instead of his preferred “loose man” position.
The Packers kept the ball away from Polamalu throughout the night, and you must think Mike McCarthy had words with his quarterback before he stepped on the field.
Whether strategy played a part in Polamalu’s limited impact or if luck was just everywhere Troy wasn’t, the Packers isolated a major threat that had the potential to gatecrash their Super Bowl party.
As one superstar failed to shine, the other made his mark in a big way on the game. Clay Matthews was scouted as Green Bays answer to Troy Polamalu, and the bustling outside line backer stamped his mark on the game at a time where his team needed some reassuring.
With the Steelers on the verge of taking the lead, Matthews was able to dislodge the ball from the grasps of Rashard Mendenhall, presenting teammate and fellow line backer Desmond Bishop, with the easiest of fumble recoveries. Mendenhall, who only allowed for two fumbles on the season (two more in postseason), was unable to maintain control of the ball on the Steelers defensive 36 yard line, gifting Rodgers his third touchdown pass of the match.
“Pack” was already engraved on the Vince Lombardi Trophy and when Roethlisberger’s 4th down pass to Mike Wallace was broken up, “ers” found its place to crown a Superbowl champion.
Rodgers ended the match having completed 24/39 for 304 with 3 touchdowns, allowing him to be presented with the Superbowl MVP award.
Much can be said about the performance of both sides throughout the contest. The style of football was hardly free flowing, and defensively the Steelers did not show up with their highly regarded and respected “A-team”.
With this in mind, Superbowl 45 gave us a contest, a game fought in all areas of the pitch with big gains, losses and hits which every supporter wants from their footballing experience. There was no surprise onside kick or Eli Manning to David Tyree type moment, but Superbowl 45 showcased two well drilled franchises with the will and the wisdom to perform at the highest level.
Vince Lombardi can rest easy now the famous Trophy is back where he wants it, Lambeau Field.
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