Sean Higgs
10* Pittsburgh Steelers +2.5
5* Under 45
Playing on the Steelers here. Now, first off. I have to say these are two teams that I can't stand. That being said, in my NFL previews this August I had GB winning their division, while I had the Steelers struggling to be a .500 team. GB is playing in the Supe, which does not suprise me. Well, maybe a little since they lost their RB early in the year, and so many players going down on IR. As much of a stud as Aaron Rodgers is, the defense is what makes this team excellent. I am not going to toot the Packers horn here. Let's get right to Pittsburgh. As I said earlier, I thought this team would 7-9 this year. Starting withought Big Ben, I had no faith in their QBs to 'not lose' and let the defense do its thing. HC Mike Tomlin is some leader. Lets keep it real. This will be a stiff test. I played against the Steelers in both of those last 2 Super Bowls. I can't believe we are catching points here. This is all about perception. Like the Jets who we had outright over the Pats, the public is all warm and tingly over Aaron Rodgers. The Bears, even down to their 3rd string QB were thisclose to winning that game. It's tough going on the road and winning vs elite teams. Now the Steelers have been home for their last 2 wins. Lackluster wins to boot. They didn't show up the first half vs Baltimore, and didn't show up the second half vs the Jets. But the 60 minutes they did show up, they really laid some punishing defense on their opponents. This MUST be the game that the GB rush attack, or lack of it, comes back to bite them in the ass. Pitt secondary is one of those bend don't break units, but they seem to make big plays when they need them. Steelers will be in the GB backfield all night long. They just generate too much pressure. On the offensive side of the ball, we have Big Ben gunning for his 3rd ring. Where the hell is this guys respect? I know he has had off-field issues, but after he wins this game, he is tied w/ Brady with 3 rings. I think thats pretty impressive. He, like his coach, and this entire Steelers team, is just workman-like. They do it ugly. They are gritty. They do the little things, week in and week out, that make them winners. Big Ben has been here twice. It is time he gets his MVP. Steelers have the experience and the hunger to get it done here in Dallas. 10* PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Prop bets
Over 3.5 FG +155
Yes- Both teams make FG of 33 yards or more +145
Total Passing Yards Aaron Rodgers UNDER 275.5 +105
Will Hines Ward score a TD YES +160
Ben Burns
10* Green Bay Packers
I rode Drew Brees and the Saints to the Superbowl. This year, I'm riding Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. Everyone knew the Packers were a really good team. However, given the path that they had to take to get here, most didn't expect them to get this far. I wasn't one of them - as I've believed in this team from the beginning. In the "Wildcard Round," the Packers had to play at Philadelphia. With the Eagles having enjoyed such a strong year and given Michael Vick's popularity and exceptional season, the Eagles were a popular choice. In my writeup for that game, one of my many comments was that "I'll take Aaron Rodgers over Michael Vick." Of course, Green Bay would go on to earn the victory. I've continued to rave about Rodgers - although by now, he's no longer exactly "flying under the radar." The Packers' QB is currently "in a major zone." He gets the ball out quickly and accurately, makes great decisions and is willing to take off and beat opposing defenses with his feet. When Rodgers does make a mistake, which hasn't happened often in these playoffs, he's generally quick to redeem himself and/or to do everything in his power to help fix the problem. Last week's interception against the Bears was an excellent example of that. After being picked, Rodgers didn't even hang his head for a second. Rather, he tracked down Brian Urlacher and tackled him in the open field - very likely saving a touchdown. Rodgers is also extremely "tough." Time after time again, he picks himself up and shakes off a big hit. Rodgers has now clearly established himself among the top quarterbacks in the game. Yet, he knows that until he wins the Superbowl, there will still always be Packer fans who rank him below Brett Favre. He knows that this is his chance to fully emerge from Favre's long shadow, once and for all. Of course, the Packers are about a lot more than Aaron Rodgers and the offense. The defense is also outstanding. In fact, the Packers allowed the fewest points in the entire NFC. They were completely dominant on that side of the ball at Chicago two weeks ago - a game that easily could have been more one-sided. It was only fitting that the defense "sealed the deal" scoring the winning touchdown on an interception return and then closing things out with another INT to snuff out the Bears' final drive. I'll admit, I didn't play on the Packers in their second playoff game at Atlanta. I didn't go against them either though. Rather, I easily won a big play with the 'over' in that game. (I had also won with the 'under' when the same teams met in the reg. season.) I didn't want to play against the Packers - but I also felt the 'over' offered even better value. As many of you know, I came back with a big play on Green Bay again in the Championship game. The Packers jumped all over the Bears and never looked back. (Ok, it got a little tense at the end!) Once again, winning away from Green Bay proved to be no problem. That's victories at Philadelphia, Atlanta and Chicago, the three top division winners (Seattle was the other) in the NFC. One of the big reasons that I rode the Saints in last year's playoffs is because I had a great deal of respect for their coaching staff. That's one of the reasons why I've been riding the Packers this year. I really like BOTH their offensive and defensive play-calling and feel the tandem of McCarthey and Capers is among the very best in the game. Of course, the Steelers possess many of the same characteristics that the Packers do and I also have a ton of respect for them. (I also won with them in the Championship Rd.) They've got an extremely tough quarterback. Rothlisberger is an excellent leader and, like Rodgers, can beat teams with both his arm and his legs. Obviously, "Big Ben" knows how to win. The Steelers also have a terrific defense and they're also well-coached. Pittsburgh backers are likely argue that the Steelers' "big game" experience will give them an advantage. After all, they've been here before, winning in both 2006 and 2009. I don't expect that to be as "big a deal" as many will make it out to be though. In fact, one could argue that the Packers will be "hungrier," as they haven't won one in the "Rodgers era." Rothlisberger didn't seem to be bothered by it too much against the Jets and I've already acknowledged he's an extremely tough QB. However, one thing I noticed was that he took a hard knee to the thigh. That isn't likely to get much notice, however those type of things can take a long time to recover properly and tend to tighten up more after the game, particularly as it was so cold. While I don't expect this to be a major issue, if if it even slows down Rothlisberger slightly and/or makes him think twice about running for a split second, it could have an effect. Despite playing at home, the Steelers were somewhat fortunate to beat Baltimore, as they were on the verge of defeat and had to rally back. Then, in control against the Jets, they let New York come back and make things interesting. While the Packers allowed the Bears to do the same, they destroyed the Falcons - at the Georgia Dome - where visiting teams nearly never win. While I respect the Steelers, I feel the Packers are currently playing at an even higher level and peaking at the perfect time. Rodgers steps out of Favre's shadow permanently and the Pack cover the small number along the way.
Jim Feist
20* Platinum - Steelers / Packers Over
10* Inner Circle - Pittsburgh Steelers
Silky Sullivan
Pittsburgh Steelers
Swami
Team Total - Packers Under 24
Erin Rynning
Jordy Nelson Over 39.5 Yards Receiving
GB Packers Over 2.5 Sacks
Mendenhall Over Starks Rush/and/Receiving yards -32.5
Jennings Over Wallace to score a touchdown first
Mike Lineback
Teaser: Steelers +10 & Over 38
Game Day Sports
2* Pittsburgh Steelers
Seabass
200* PITT / GB UNDER 45
100* 7 Point Teaser GB + 4 & UNDER 52
Heinz Ward UNDER 45 yards
Heath Miller UNDER 39 yards
FG's made OVER 3
will there be defensive or special teams score* YES +145
which quarter will score the most 4th + 200
will there be OT* yes + 800
Scott Spreitzer
Green Bay Packers