Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy is dunked with Gatorade by T.J. Lang after their 31-25 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL football Super Bowl XLV game Sunday, in Arlington. (DAVID J. PHILLIP/The Associated Press)
This year was the first time in 15 years that the number six seed Green Bay Packers had been to the Super Bowl.
The game took place Sunday in the new Dallas Cowboys stadium in Arlington. Despite being deprived of a Super Bowl title for such a lengthy time, after Sunday night’s win, the Packers now obtain their 13th title, making them the most successful team in NFL history.
Green Bay quarter back Aaron Rodgers was most definitely the star of Sunday night’s show down. He threw for 304 yards and three touchdowns. He had the potential for even more success if it hadn’t been for the receivers dropping pretty precise passes.
Rodgers however, got off to a slow start. Fans were beginning to think that such a production on the “big stage” maybe a little too much for Rogers without the experience of someone like ex Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre.
His loyal fans would not be disappointed though, as he completed three passes after a run from allstar receiver James Starks.
Starks had yet to start a game before the Packer’s first play-off game versus the Atlanta Falcons, but he definitely ignited a flame under his team Sunday night and really got the momentum going.
The first touchdown of the night was made by Jordy Nelson, thanks to a pass from Rodgers at the Steelers’ 29-yard line.
Pittsburgh’s first points of the game came from a field goal from Shaun Suisham from 33 yards. The score at half time was a low 10-6, the first in Super Bowl history.
The second half was full of lots of excitement, but the multiple turnovers really hurt the Steelers.
Statistically, the Steelers deserved the game with 15 first downs at Green Bay’s 9 and 296 yards compared to the Packer’s 21.
Aaron Rodgers had no interceptions and Steeler’s quarter-back Ben Roethlisberger had two, significantly hurting the Steelers.
At the break of the fourth quarter, the Packers had the lead but the game looked as if it could go either way. Green Bay quickly changed that, however, when linebacker Clay Matthews bursted through the line to capitalize on opponent Rashard Mendenahll, which forced a fumble and allowed the Packer’s to recover the ball.
This possession led Green Bay to a 28-17 lead.
The Steelers had definitely been in this position before, winning six of their last eight Super Bowl attempts. The Packer’s win gave them four Super Bowl titles, behind the Cowboy’s and the 49ers five and the Steelers six; but Green Bay has high hopes for the future.
The Packers have a strong team of talent and could be looking at potentially many more years of titles to come.
