If I had to guess now, Super Bowl XLV between the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers will be remembered for one of two things -- quarterbacks or defense. Both have elite quarterbacks in Aaron Rodgers and Ben Roethlisberger and both have arguably the two best defenses in the NFL.
Super Bowl XLV: Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay Packers Defenses Should Be Familiar
And the interesting part of it all is that they’re very similar defenses. Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers and Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau worked together in Pittsburgh during the 1990s so they’re familiar with what each is trying to do.
The Steelers have been doing it for 40 years and, while the Packers aren’t on their level yet historically, there are plenty of similarities between these two teams in 2010, as Steve Wyche of NFL.com notes.
The intrigue now is that the Packers are built in the same mold as Pittsburgh and generating similar results. Green Bay was fifth this season in total defense (309.1 yards per game), fifth in passing defense (194.2 yards per game) and second in scoring defense (15.0 points per game). They forced 32 regular-season turnovers to Pittsburgh's 35. In the postseason, Green Bay has generated eight turnovers (six interceptions) to four for Pittsburgh.
Defensive geeks should love this game. After understanding a little more about the history of each defense and their coordinator, I’d venture to say this game will be remembered for defense.
Check out Behind The Steel Curtain and Acme Packing Company for more on the game.
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