February 3rd, 2011 Thursday
Could Super Sunday Be a Repeat?
A Look Back at Last Year
The Packers passing offense was explosive in the December 2009 meeting against the Steelers led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers. In a game where their running game was pretty much non-existent (60 yards and 22 came Rodgers) it was Rodgers who provided the spark the Packers would need. Against the Steelers secondary the Packer’s signal caller completed 26 of 48 passes for 383 yards in the air and he accounted for four scores; three pass, one run.
Rodgers was complimented with some great talent in the passing game with players like Greg Jennings, Jermichael Finley, Donald Driver, and Jordy Nelson. Jennings led the group with five grabs for a buck-eighteen and a score. Driver was also effective with three grabs for 76 yards while Nelson caught four balls for another 71 yards. Finley was big in the last seasons’ contest, but with him out in this year’s clash, the Packers could be looking for players like Nelson and James Jones (2 catches, 36 yards, one touchdown in the 2009 matchup) to step up.
On the Steeler’s side, it was quarterback Ben Roethlisberger who provided the most memorable performance completing 29 of 46 passes for more than 500 yards. Like his counterpart, Big Ben operated without much of a run game (65 total rushing yards), but he got plenty of help from his friends as he passed for 503 yards against the Packers.
Big Ben’s biggest asset against the Packers was his trusty old companion wide receiver Hines Ward (7 receptions, 126 yards receiving). Wide receiver Mike Wallace was also the team’s most effective weapon with the long ball catching two passes for 79 yards and two touchdowns; he could be huge impact player on Sunday. The Steelers tight end Heath Miller was also big last season against the Pack posting a career high 118 yards receiving with seven receptions. Santonio Holmes (now with the Jets) also grabbed three passes for 77 yards, so the Steelers will be looking to one of their rookies (Emmanuel Sanders and Aaron Brown) to pick up the slack.
While this 37-36 shootout between the Packers and Steelers featured plenty of offense, there was some evidence of defense displayed by the Packers who sacked Big Ben five times. Surprisingly with 94 passes thrown and a total of 131 offensive plays called there were no turnovers in the game.
Sunday will likely not turn out to be exactly like the matchup we witnessed in 2009, but it certainly has all the makings of a great one.
Keep Your Eye On
David’s Daily Digest
More Fantasy Notes
More Fantasy Notes
Could Super Sunday Be a Repeat?
A Look Back at Last Year
The Packers passing offense was explosive in the December 2009 meeting against the Steelers led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers. In a game where their running game was pretty much non-existent (60 yards and 22 came Rodgers) it was Rodgers who provided the spark the Packers would need. Against the Steelers secondary the Packer’s signal caller completed 26 of 48 passes for 383 yards in the air and he accounted for four scores; three pass, one run.
Rodgers was complimented with some great talent in the passing game with players like Greg Jennings, Jermichael Finley, Donald Driver, and Jordy Nelson. Jennings led the group with five grabs for a buck-eighteen and a score. Driver was also effective with three grabs for 76 yards while Nelson caught four balls for another 71 yards. Finley was big in the last seasons’ contest, but with him out in this year’s clash, the Packers could be looking for players like Nelson and James Jones (2 catches, 36 yards, one touchdown in the 2009 matchup) to step up.
On the Steeler’s side, it was quarterback Ben Roethlisberger who provided the most memorable performance completing 29 of 46 passes for more than 500 yards. Like his counterpart, Big Ben operated without much of a run game (65 total rushing yards), but he got plenty of help from his friends as he passed for 503 yards against the Packers.
Big Ben’s biggest asset against the Packers was his trusty old companion wide receiver Hines Ward (7 receptions, 126 yards receiving). Wide receiver Mike Wallace was also the team’s most effective weapon with the long ball catching two passes for 79 yards and two touchdowns; he could be huge impact player on Sunday. The Steelers tight end Heath Miller was also big last season against the Pack posting a career high 118 yards receiving with seven receptions. Santonio Holmes (now with the Jets) also grabbed three passes for 77 yards, so the Steelers will be looking to one of their rookies (Emmanuel Sanders and Aaron Brown) to pick up the slack.
While this 37-36 shootout between the Packers and Steelers featured plenty of offense, there was some evidence of defense displayed by the Packers who sacked Big Ben five times. Surprisingly with 94 passes thrown and a total of 131 offensive plays called there were no turnovers in the game.
Sunday will likely not turn out to be exactly like the matchup we witnessed in 2009, but it certainly has all the makings of a great one.
Keep Your Eye On
A couple of notable points to keep in mind, although both team struggled on the ground, there were three rushing touchdowns scored; running backs James Starks (Packers) and Rashard Mendenhall (Steelers) should definitely see a couple of chances at the goal-line on Sunday.
The Steelers pass defense struggled through the post season gainst opposing tight ends allowing 11 receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown. The Packers tight end Andrew Quarless has been quiet throughout the playoffs, but has a chance to make a difference on the big stage.
Heath Miller has not made much noise in the post season, and while you can’t forget his big game last season against the Pack, you must note the Packer’s secondary has been stifling against opposing tight ends in the playoffs; six catches for 62 yards in three games.
By David Ortega
The Steelers pass defense struggled through the post season gainst opposing tight ends allowing 11 receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown. The Packers tight end Andrew Quarless has been quiet throughout the playoffs, but has a chance to make a difference on the big stage.
Heath Miller has not made much noise in the post season, and while you can’t forget his big game last season against the Pack, you must note the Packer’s secondary has been stifling against opposing tight ends in the playoffs; six catches for 62 yards in three games.
By David Ortega
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