This week, as we look forward to Super Bowl XLV, we will look at each team’s offensive and defensive units and what they need to do to be successful as they appear on the biggest gridiron stage in the world! Today, we examine Pittsburgh’s offense, including its strengths, the challenges it has faced and the keys to holding off a very talented Green Bay defense. While Pittsburgh is known for its defensive prowess, like the lore of the Steel Curtain, offensively the Steelers must have a big day if they want to walk away with their 7th Super Bowl title.
Ben Roethlisberger is the face of Pittsburgh’s offense. With 2 Super Bowl rings and an impressive record in post season play, he is a critical component to the Steelers’ success. While he may not have the accuracy and poise of Peyton Manning, Big Ben can make the clutch plays needed to pull off a win. He has grit and determination that does not quit and it is those attributes that have brought the Steelers to Super Bowl XLV.
Big Ben’s 6’5” 240 pound frame has been essential this season. His size and strength make it difficult for defenders to bring him down. But Roethlisberger has faced a great deal of pressure since the offensive line has been plagued with injuries all season. Right tackle Willie Colon was injured in July and missed the entire season. Right guard Trai Essex missed 4 games early in the season, left tackle Max Starks was out Week 9 and left guard Chris Kemoeatu missed a game with an ankle injury as well. Rookie center Maurkice Pouncey, the Steelers’ first round draft pick last year, is the latest misfortune to affect the O-line. Pouncey suffered an ankle injury in the AFC Championship game and it is unlikely he will play on Sunday.
If Pouncey does indeed miss the Super Bowl, it means that right tackle Flozell Adams will be the only offensive line player to have started every game this season. Adams is a veteran who played for the Cowboys the past 12 seasons before being released by them this year. This is his first Super Bowl appearance and as he returns to play for the Lombardi Trophy in Cowboys Stadium, we can’t help but wonder if Jerry Jones regrets his decision to let him go.
The adversity that the Steelers’ offensive line has lived with this season would have caused many teams to fail. Injuries forced some O-lineman to play positions they had never played before. Despite these challenges and Roethlisberger’s 4 game suspension early in the season, the Steelers found a way to win. Against the Packers, they will have to be able to run the ball, which could prove to be especially difficult if Pouncey is out. But in last week’s AFC Championship game, the O-line played what was arguably its best game yet. Rashard Mendenhall rushed for 121 yards in that game, but more importantly he consistently gets the tough, short yardage when most needed. In post-season play, the Steelers have scored on all 6 of their first and goal situations and Mendenhall scored 3 of those TDs.
When Mendenhall isn’t being asked to grind out some yardage, Big Ben will go to the air. Roethlisberger will no doubt be pressured by Dom Capers’ defense. Big Ben has the ability to escape pressure, but the Packers will be relentless with their very talented defensive unit, including linebacker Clay Matthews and defensive tackle B.J. Raji.
With a strong pass rush from the Packers, the key for Big Ben will be to get rid of the ball quickly. He has the ability to make quick passes, especially on crucial third downs, that can prove deadly to blitzing defenses. Roethlisberger’s downfield targets include veteran Hines Ward, who was the Super Bowl MVP in 2005. However, look for the younger players in the receiving corps, like Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown to play bigger roles in Sunday’s game.
As a rookie, Wallace caught the game winning TD in a 2009 game against the Packers, just as the clock expired. This season he led Pittsburgh with over 1200 yards and 10 TDs. In the post season, rookie receiver Brown has been more of a factor, as Wallace has been drawing double coverage.
The Steelers face an intimidating defense on Sunday orchestrated by Capers who is simply a master at disguising his schemes. Pittsburgh’s offense will face a daunting challenge trying to read and contain the defense, but they can triumph if their offensive line plays well. While Pittsburgh’s O-line is often criticized, it has scraped and scratched its way to success amid much adversity. For the Steelers to win, the O-line MUST contain the Packers so that Roethlisberger is not constantly shedding off defenders all day long. If they can step up as they did in the AFC Championship game, the running game can be established and it will allow Pittsburgh to control the clock. A running game will also force more Packers to the line of scrimmage and open up Big Ben’s passing game. While Roethlisberger may indeed be the face of the Steelers offense, on Sunday it will be the O-line that determines whether they win or lose.