Super Bowl XLVI Prediction

The time has finally come. Only two teams are still standing after a most amazing, dramatic, heart-rending...exciting, thrilling season in recent memory. And now, we have a Super Bowl rematch between two teams that played one of the most exciting Super Bowls in recent memory four years ago. Of course, many differences exist between Super Bowl XLVI and Super Bowl XLII, but the main storylines of each game will undoubtedly be at the position that has remained the same in both games. Eli Manning is leading a hot road-warriors Giants team (again), and trying to solidify his claim of being an elite quarterback in the process. The fact that Eli has already made it to 2 big games is quite astounding. In the meantime, Tom Brady is trying to reach a higher level of greatness that only few quarterbacks share: the winner of four Super Bowls. Brady can surely thrust himself into the likes of Joe Montana, Terry Bradshaw, Roger Staubach, and John Elway. Either way, both teams will be striving for that goal of being the best of the best and crushing their newly formed rival. This ain't Yankees-Red Sox, but it sure is starting to feel that bitter.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

The Pats come into this game with a quarterback on the pedestal of NFL greatness. Tom Brady leads his motley crew once again into the Super Bowl. It's stunning that Brady has managed to lead this team year after year into the playoffs, despite a constantly rotating roster (says something about those other AFC East teams...). Belichick-Brady may be a coach-quarterback duo that will live on for years to come in New England after they are done. A Super Bowl victory now could cement their legacy and prove that Super Bowl XLII was a flop; a minor hiccup in a historic decade of dominance. But enough gushing about Brady. What does he have to work with? Well, the running game has been off and on throughout the season, at best. Backs like Danny Woodhead, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, and Stevan Ridley can certainly carry the load, but their efficiency is mostly in the redzone, close to the goal line. In the air is where the magic happens. The Patriots have an unassuming combo of tight ends that are really just versatile receivers. Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski can snatch the ball out of the air as well as anyone, and provide good exploitations for the Pats' passing game between the hashmarks. Wideouts Deion Branch and Wes Welker are also threats on the outside, while contributors like Julian Edelman and Matthew Slater can provide more mix-and-match combinations both short and deep. The O-line for the Pats have been shaky at times, but the return of Sebastian Vollmer should certainly help. Key "injuries" on the offensive front include Matt Light and Rob Gronkowski, who both serve vital roles in this offense. Light's health will be extremely valuable considering the pass rush by the Giants' D-line.

On defense, this team has managed to find meaning in their line, led by the athletic, gut-busting Vince Wilfork. The linebackers have also stepped up as of late, led by former Gator Brandon Spikes in the middle. Overall, this defense is solid. The only question about it is the secondary. The corners for the Patriots have been up and down throughout the season, but have come on late to form a respectable bunch. Devin McCourty, Patrick Chung, and company can all be playmakers, while players like James Ihedigbo and (snicker) Julian Edelman can be counted on for support. What should be particularly intriguing is the play of Devin McCourty, who can roam the field as good as anyone and catch up to the play. For this team to stay in the game, they must rely on their defensive unit to stop Brandon Jacobs and company on the ground, and the elusive Eli Manning and his merrymen of receivers in the air. If the Patriots defense can step up in the biggest game of their lives, the offense will handle the rest.

Special teams-wise, the Pats still rely on ol' Stephen Gostkowski, who has successfully replaced Adam Vinatieri. Zoltan Mesko continues to reliably handle punting duties, while Woodhead and Edelman are the returners.


NEW YORK GIANTS

The kings of New York return to the Super Bowl in quest of a title against an old foe. If New York can get the win, Tom Coughlin could be right up there with Bill Parcells as one of the greatest Giants coaches to ever live. And then if that's not a question of legacy, just look at who's under center. Eli Manning is only 31, but has tremendously rebounded from his tumultuous past. Once cast behind his brother Peyton and father Archie, "Little Bro" now has the chance to create his own chapter in Giants history. Of course, Manning is not alone on his quest. His receivers should get just as much play, despite Manning's effectiveness in the pocket. Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz, and Mario Manningham all bring great hands, tremendous speed, and excellent route running to the table. With no true safety blankets underneath, Manning can exploit long passes on many plays. Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw can still ground and pound, but the instability of the offensive line may cause the running game to experience a few problems.

Of course, the story of this Giants team is the hot, tough D. Justin Tuck and Jason Pierre-Paul are the bookends up front, with Chris Canty and Osi Umenyiora providing excellent support pressure. The Giants rely on the linebacking duties of Chase Blackburn, Michael Boley, and Mathias Kiwanuka, who are not only good in run stopping abilities, but also thrive on the pass coverage. Of course, the Giants secondary provides support on the backside with Corey Webster, Antrel Rolle, Kenny Philips, and Aaron Ross (and a slew of reliable backups). The Giants' flaw on their defense is probably the hole between the linebackers and the safeties, which the Packers and 49ers managed to exploit (unfortunately sloppy play from those teams resulted in more outside routes). The Giants will have to watch Tom Brady and company carefully, especially the tight ends who can easily chew up yardage between the hashmarks.

On special teams, the Giants have kicker Lawrence Tynes and punter Steve Weatherford. Tynes may have a weak leg, but he is still one of the more clutch kickers in the league today. Weatherford doesn't have much control of his punts sometimes, but he can still kick bombs. The returners are a carousel of Jerrel Jernigan, Will Blackmon, Aaron Ross, and Devin Thomas. After the NFC Championship Game, it will be interesting to see how the Giants attack and perform on punt return duties.

PREDICTION:
NEW ENGLAND 27, NEW YORK 24
Overall this is a very tough, physical matchup. Both teams have solid offenses and rising defenses. Like everyone else, I think this one will come down to a few key special teams plays. The Giants may be the hottest team right now, but something tells me to not forget about Tom Brady. Whoever jumps out to a big early lead will win, as these defenses will definitely get tired. And in that case, the offense with more firepower will win. The Pats have just enough to pull this one out, but the Giants surely won't take it easy. Either way, the tagline of Super Bowl XLII still resonates loudly, begging the question: "Who Wants It More?"

The Dallas Experiment: Assessing the Damage

In the midst of being sued in a class action lawsuit for the 400 fans who were displaced at Super Bowl XLV, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has admitted full responsibility for the ticket fiasco that caused a large number of fans to be relocated or lose their seats during the biggest game of the year. The NFL has offered compensation to these fans, including multiple options that vary from a future Super Bowl ticket of their choosing to a full refund and limited covered expenses. The new Cowboys Stadium, one of the holiest cathedrals in pro football, was often criticized throughout Super Bowl week, due to the unfortunate winter ice storm that caused confusion around the stadium, as well as the temporary seating assignments that caused hundreds of fans to miss watching the game from a seat they paid for. In many aspects, the Super Bowl experience in Dallas was tainted from the multiple failures the NFL and Cowboys did not take into account. Some even speculate that the disappointing Cowboys season (after much preseason hype) translated to a disappointing presentation by the Cowboys organization on Super Bowl Sunday.

In turn, several venues still vie for the chance to host the coveted Super Bowl L, a momentous milestone that celebrates fifty years of Super Bowl history in the NFL. Obviously, Jerry Jones and Co. would like the Super Bowl to return to Cowboys Stadium, in part to make up for the "accident" the ruined Super Bowl XLV. But do the Cowboys deserve to host one of the NFL's biggest anniversary games? It remains to be seen. Can Jerry Jones do right and fix up the problems that plagued this year's game? Obvious other candidates would include the usual stadiums in Miami, Tampa Bay, and New Orleans, with facilities already established and enshrined in Super Bowl lore. Other possibilities include relatively newer facilities like Houston's Reliant Stadium or Atlanta's new stadium (if it's built in time). One intriguing possibility, however, is the Los Angeles Coliseum. Site of the first ever NFL-AFL Championship (Super Bowl I), the stadium has a lot of historic value in the fact that the game would return to the stadium for the first time since Super Bowl VII (or more recently, the 1993 season, when the Raiders left for Oakland). The Coliseum, although not quite built to host an NFL team year-round, could be a viable venue to host the big game in 5 years. Many other options remain available, but the most recent Super Bowl experience could certainly diminish the chances of the big game returning to The House That Jerry Built anytime soon.

Pack win Super Bowl; Rodgers MVP

The Green Bay Packers won their 4th Super Bowl title earlier today, beating the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25, and culminating an impressive postseason showing for the 14-6 Packers. Although the Steelers managed to hold their own for the entire game, Pittsburgh proved to be no match for the explosive Packers offense, who did not manage to lose the lead for the entire game (although they came very close numerous times). Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw for 304 yards, 3 TDs and no INTs, earning the game's MVP.  Both teams lost many key players in the first half, including CB Charles Woodson and Sam Shields, and WR Donald Driver and Emmanuel Sanders. The Super Bowl was a well played and closely matched contest, with both teams managing to perform after rocky starts. The Steelers come off their second ever Super Bowl loss, but their record 8th Super Bowl appearance.

Super Bowl Prediction

In Super Bowl XLV, the 6^th seeded Green Bay Packers will go head-to-head with the #2 seeded Pittsburgh Steelers. The Packers are only the second 6^th seed in history to ever make it to the Super Bowl while the Steelers are only two seasons removed from being the world champs. Led by two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and a shutdown defense, the Steelers head to the big game with loads of confidence. The Packers are a team mixed with play-making veterans and youngsters who are eager to pull off the big upset in Dallas. So who’s going to be holding the Lombardi trophy at days end? The Packers offense sputtered in their last game against the Bears and it was their defense led by Charles Woodson and Clay Matthews that held the Bears offense in check. If the Pack hopes to win this game, their offense led by Rodgers must be spectacular. James Starks and Brandon Jackson must also provide sparks in the running game so the offense will not become one-dimensional. Green Bay has perhaps the most talented receiving corps in the game today but they will be challenged heavily by the Steelers defense. The Black and Yellow are led by an array of highly talented stars on defense including names such as James Harrison, Lamarr Woodley, Brett Kiesel and their heart and soul, Troy Polamalu. Throw into the mix Big Ben and his Super Bowl escapades and the Steelers seem to be the odds on choice. The most prolific matchup will be between the Packers offense and the Steelers defense, however the most crucial showdown will be whether the Packers D can stifle Big Ben and Rashard Mendenhall as they did the Bears two weeks ago. This matchup beckons back to Super Bowl XLIII in which the Steelers squeaked out a win against the offensive-minded Arizona Cardinals. Can they pull it off again? Lets take a closer look at the position comparisons for the teams.

QUARTERBACK: PUSH

This battle comes to Big Ben’s experience vs. the pure talent of Aaron Rodgers. Roethlisberger has already been there and done that with his two Super Bowl wins while Rodgers has been nothing less than sensational since taking over the starting gig in Green Bay. Ben is no slouch but in terms of straight ability, Rodgers has the edge. However experience in the big game is also incredibly crucial. These two advantages for each QB cancel each other out and leave this matchup a tie.

RUNNINGBACKS: STEELERS

Rashard Mendenhall is a workhorse stud of a running back that can take the ball on all snaps for the Pittsburgh offense. Green Bay sports a tandem in the backfield of James Starks, Brandon Jackson and John Kuhn. Mendenhall had more yards rushing (1273) than all three of the Packers backs combined. Green Bay has lacked stability at this position the entire season since losing 2009 leading rusher Ryan Grant early on. Clear advantage Steelers.

WIDE RECEIVERS: PACKERS
Both quarterbacks will have plenty of weapons to work with in this game on the outside. Pittsburgh stars Hines Ward and Mike Wallace cancel out Pro Bowler Greg Jennings and Donald Driver. The real competition will be between the third and fourth receivers, Emmanuel Sanders and Antwaan Randle-El for the Steelers and James Jones and Jordy Nelson for the Pack. Nelson and Jones are both highly talented guys that could easily be starters on other teams. Randle-El is a veteran and former college quarterback that could be used for trick plays while Sanders is a rookie who hasn’t done a whole lot this season. The Packers unit is just more complete and deep giving them the edge.

OFFENSIVE LINE: SLIGHT ADVANTAGE PACKERS

Neither of these the units for either team has been stellar this season. The Packers line has improved as of late but struggled two weeks ago against the Bears leading to some big hits on Rodgers. The Steelers may be without Pro Bowl Center Maurkice Pouncey, which would leave a huge gap in the center of the line. The game may come down to which of these units can perform against their respective pass rushes.

DEFENSIVE LINE: PUSH

The Steelers have experience on their side with veterans Casey Hampton and Brett Keisel, while the Pack have quickly blooming youngster BJ Raji and veteran Cullen Jenkins on the line. The Packers line will most likely be tested more with Pittsburgh’s focus on the run game and using Rashard Mendenhall.

LINEBACKERS: SLIGHT ADVANTAGE STEELERS

The Steelers have a spectacular group of linebackers led by heavy-hitter James Harrison. Lawrence Timmons, James Farrior and Lamarr Woodley are also highly talented and have played in the Super Bowl prior. The Packers sport one of the league’s best pass rushers in Casey Matthews and have solid complement in A.J. Hawk. The injury to Nick Barnett detracts from the talent of the Packers unit and so the advantage must go to the experience and immense talent of the Steelers.

CORNERS: PACKERS
The Steelers have veterans Ike Taylor and Bryant McFadden anchoring the outside of the defense while the Pack counter with 2009 Defensive Player of the Year, Charles Woodson and youngster Tramon Williams. Williams has come on strong in the postseason with a crucial game-ending pick in the Wild Card round against the Eagles. Taylor and McFadden have both been on this stage before, however the sheer talent of Woodson and Williams is too much to ignore. Pack gets the point here.

SAFEITIES: STEELERS

Troy Polamalu. Enough said here. Just recently named the 2010 Defensive Player of the Year, Polamalu is a force to be reckoned with even if he isn’t at 100%. Polamalu at 50% would be good enough to start on the majority of teams in the NFL.

PREDICTION: PACKERS 24-17

Both teams sport tenacious defenses and explosive offenses. The possible loss of Maurkice Pouncey is huge as the Steelers line will be under pressure the entire afternoon. My feeling is that the pass rush will get to Big Ben causing him to make mistakes. The Packers offense will have to perform as they did against the Falcons if they hope to win. My guess is that they will and squeak this game out by a touchdown.

Super Bowl Prediction

With Super Bowl XLV only a mere couple of days away, the culmination of another exciting NFL season will come to a close. The Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers will face off in what is to be an epic battle of two stunning teams, with both having major implications on past and future legacies. Here’s an in-depth analysis at my prediction for Super Bowl XLV:

First, let’s look at the Steelers. The Steelers, with a steady defense and an agile offense, has been to the Super Bowl twice in the last 5 years (not including this year). They have won it both times, and developed an incredible resume in big playoff games. Ben Roethlisberger, the famous (or shall I say, infamous) quarterback of the Steelers seems to be the most dangerous player on the Pittsburgh offense. He can run, pass, and in general make a play. Of course, he has equally tantalizing weapons in his arsenal. Running back Rashard Mendenhall has turned into a workhorse for this team, replacing the vacancy left by Willie Parker and perhaps even Jerome “The Bus” Bettis. Mendenhall joins a list of receivers that include the speedy Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown along with vested veteran Hines Ward (Super Bowl XL MVP). Don’t forget about tight end Heath Miller, who may have a breakout game after an underperforming season. The offensive line must win the battle up front against the Packers’ imposing defensive front, without center Maurkice Pouncey. Outstanding right tackle Flozell Adams hasn’t lost a beat, and hopefully this offensive line will find some inspiration from the long time veteran.

The Steelers defense is still the same solid defense that was featured in Super Bowl XLIII. The only difference this time will be the possible loss of Aaron Smith at defensive end. The Steelers’ front line still remains strong with nose tackle Casey Hampton and defensive end Brett Keisel filling the load. Linebackers LaMarr Woodley, Lawrence Timmons, James Farrior, and James Harrison will be as intimidating as ever to the Packers’ quick underneath routes. The secondary features familiar faces in Ryan Clark, Ike Taylor, Bryant McFadden, and Troy Polamalu. Polamalu, the Defensive Player of the Year, will especially make it hard for Rodgers to find deep post routes open. Overall, this defense is solid and unique.

Special teams includes kicker Shaun Suisham and punter Jeremy Kapinos, with Antonio Brown returning kicks. Suisham has been impressive this year, playing in only 7 games but only missing one field goal and 0 PATs. Kapinos has done well in punting duties. Antonio Brown is a speed demon that can easily take one to the house. Overall, special teams should do their job, but could easily be the scapegoats in a Steelers loss.

Now on to the NFC team. The Packers are one of an increasing trend of wild card teams to make it to the big game in recent years. The Packers possess one of the NFL’s most potent offenses, with the prolific Aaron Rodgers at the controls of an attack that features a receiving combo of Greg Jennings and Donald Driver, with Jordy Nelson and James Jones to clean up. The biggest question this season has been at running back, but Green Bay’s prayers seem to have been answered in a three headed rushing attack lead by James Starks, John Kuhn, and Brandon Jackson. The Packers pretty much abandoned the tight end position after Jermichael Finley got injured early in the season, but Andrew Quarless and Donald Lee have filled in nicely. The offensive line will be looked upon to block against the pass rush but also open holes for the running game when needed. The Packers must be able to complement their pass attack with their running game in order to move the football with the clock in mind.

The defense is stout as ever, featuring Ryan Pickett, B.J. Raji, and Cullen Jenkins up front, a mobile but strong group of linemen. In the middle stands an explosive linebacking core, especially on the left side with Clay Matthews and A.J. Hawk. Complementing Matthews and Hawk are the under observed but still talented Desmond Bishop and Erik Walden on the right side. The defensive backfield provides a safety blanket for the front seven, including the impressive tandem of Charles Woodson and Tramon Williams. Also in the back will be safeties Nick Collins and Charlie Peprah.

On special teams, the duo of Mason Crosby and Tim Masthay combine to make a consistent kicking attack. The returners don’t really matter, as long as they’re fast and have good hands (Sam Shields and Tramon Williams will be designated for those duties). The Packers offense should be able to make up whatever yards the returners can’t.

Overall, this will be an exciting Super Bowl featuring two very exciting and explosive teams. The Steelers may have a unit built on Super Bowl experience, but the Packers won’t be taking this game lightly. Both teams will want this one, but I’ve got a feeling the Steelers will want it more. The Packers will come out firing on all cylinders, but even a large lead early doesn’t mean the Packers are safe. The Steelers are excellent in adjustments made during the game, and the Steelers will undoubtedly win a defensive struggle up front. I predict both teams taking shots downfield, but the Steelers will have a better chance to win since they’ve had a knack for closing tight games.

PICK: PITTSBURGH OVER GREEN BAY, 30-24

A Look Back: Pittsburgh Super Bowl History

As you may know by now, the Pittsburgh Steelers will be facing off against the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XLV, set to begin at 6:30 ET on February 6, 2011. The game will feature two of football's most legendary franchises squaring off in the home of another legendary franchise in the Dallas Cowboys. Both the Steelers and the Packers have been to multiple Super Bowls before, and here we'll be taking a look at those Super Bowl moments for the Steelers.


SUPER BOWL IX
The Pittsburgh Steelers were a laughingstock for most of their early history, never making an appearance in the championship game until Super Bowl IX on January 12, 1975. The Steelers had a reputable defense known as the "Steel Curtain", anchored by the likes of L.C. Greenwood, "Mean" Joe Greene, Jack Ham, Jack Lambert, and Mel Blount. Their opponent, the Minnesota Vikings, had a solid defense of their own with Carl Eller, Alan Page, and Jim Marshall anchoring a defense simply known as the "Purple People Eaters". The game did turn out to be a defensive struggle, with both offenses going scoreless in the first half (however, the Steelers did get a safety in the second quarter when defensive end Dwight White tackled Minnesota quarterback Fran Tarkenton in the endzone).Pittsburgh never relinquished the lead, holding Minnesota's offense scoreless for the entire game (Minnesota did score on a blocked punt late in the 4th quarter but missed the PAT) and winning 16-6. Running back Franco Harris was named the game MVP for racking up a Super Bowl record 158 rushing yards and a touchdown.


SUPER BOWL X
In a widely popular contest between two of the most prestigious and legendary teams in the NFL,the Pittsburgh Steelers faced off against the Dallas Cowboys in a Super Bowl for the ages. Both teams featured well known players, from the quarterbacks (Terry Bradshaw and Roger Staubach) to the cornerbacks (Mel Blount and Mel Renfro) and everyone in between. The game was a back and forth battle between the two teams, highlighted by a miraculous diving catch by Pittsburgh receiver Lynn Swann (who won the game's MVP, becoming the first WR to do so). The Steelers eventually pulled away, and Dallas could not secure a last second comeback, losing 21-17 to the newest dynasty in the NFL. Fortunately, however, these two teams would provide one of the greatest rivalries in NFL history.


SUPER BOWL XIII
A year after the Cowboys beat Craig Morton's Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XII, the two teams of the 1970s faced off yet again in Super Bowl XIII. Pittsburgh and Dallas faced off once again in a rematch of the ages, with a fierce offensive shootout. Super Bowl MVP Terry Bradshaw passed for 318 yards and 4 touchdowns, with receiver John Stallworth catching two of those touchdowns. The game is perhaps most remembered for Dallas tight end Jackie Smith's drop in the endzone that would have tied the score late in the third quarter. A late Dallas comeback once again came up short, and the Steelers again beat the Cowboys, by the final score of 35-31.


SUPER BOWL XIV
The 1980 contest featured the Los Angeles Rams facing off against the mighty Pittsburgh dynasty. Although the Rams played tough (including a memorable performance by Rams DE Jack Youngblood, who played with a broken leg) and went into the 4th quarter with a 19-17 lead, the Steelers came back and defeated Los Angeles 31-19. Bradshaw was once again named the MVP for throwing 309 yards and 2 touchdowns.


SUPER BOWL XXX
Nearly 20 years after Pittsburgh and Dallas first met in Super Bowl X, they rekindled the rivalry in Super Bowl XXX. Dallas was destined to avenge its losing streak to the Steelers, and managed to build a strong offensive team in Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irvin, among others. The Steelers could not stop the Cowboys, and Pittsburgh lost their first (and to this date, only) Super Bowl, 27-17. Larry Brown, a relatively obscure Dallas cornerback who intercepted two Neil O'Donnell passes, was named the game's MVP.


SUPER BOWL XL
Super Bowl XL featured a matchup between the "old" Pittsburgh Steelers and the "new" Seattle Seahawks. Although the Seahawks had troubles of their own, the matchup was plagued by questionable calls that even the officials deemed inaccurate. Nevertheless, Pittsburgh once again came away with a victory, due to memorable plays like Antwaan Randle El's touchdown pass to MVP Hines Ward, and controversial ones like Ben Roethlisberger's 1 yard touchdown run late in the 2nd quarter.


SUPER BOWL XLIII
The Steelers once again faced an NFC West team for the crown, this time pitting against the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals offense provided a test for the Steelers defense, keeping the game close until late in the 4th quarter when Kurt Warner threw a 64 yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, giving Arizona the lead. In a drive for the ages, the Steelers managed to go 78 yards downfield, culminating in a beautiful touchdown grab by wide receiver Santonio Holmes, who was awarded the game's MVP.

A Look Back: Green Bay Super Bowl History

As you may know by now, the Green Bay Packers will be facing off against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV, set to begin at 6:30 ET on February 6, 2011. The game will feature two of football's most legendary franchises squaring off in the home of another legendary franchise in the Dallas Cowboys. Both the Packers and the Steelers have been to multiple Super Bowls before, and here we'll be taking a look at those Super Bowl moments, starting with the Packers.

SUPER BOWL I
Prior to Super Bowl I, the Packers had already been dominant in the National Football League, winning 9 NFL championships in all. The first ever Super Bowl was the culmination of a major battle between two rivaling professional football leagues in the NFL and AFL (American Football League). Compared to the already established NFL, the AFL was squandering "wannabe" league that challenged the NFL in everything from television audiences to players' contractual rights. The first Super Bowl (held after the merger of the leagues in 1966) featured the greatest franchises of each league at the time, in the Green Bay Packers of the NFL and the Kansas City Chiefs of the AFL. The Packers, featuring legendary players like Bart Starr, Ray Nitschke, and Jerry Kramer, along with legendary coach Vince Lombardi, kept the game close before pulling away in the second half and destroying the Chiefs 35-10. The Packers had won the Super Bowl I, and Bart Starr was named the MVP.

SUPER BOWL II
In 1968, the Packers once again represented the NFL in Super Bowl II, with the Oakland Raiders representing the AFL. Oakland had crushed its AFL opponents en route to their first Super Bowl berth. Many experts believed that although Oakland was tough and Green Bay wasn't as good as last year, Green Bay still had the edge due to their level of competition in the NFL. The experts were right as Green Bay scorched the Raiders from the very start, and never looked back. The final score was 33-14, sealing another victory for the NFL over the AFL. It wouldn't be until next year that the AFL would gain its first Super Bowl victory, and change the face of the two leagues forever.

SUPER BOWL XXXI
Fast forward about 30 years and we arrive at Super Bowl XXXI between the Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots. Green Bay featured some of the best players in the league, including a young quarterback named Brett Favre and a veteran defensive end in Reggie White. The Patriots were also respectable in their own right, with key players like Drew Bledsoe and Curtis Martin, along with coach Bill Parcells. Green Bay and New England kept it close, with running back Curtis Martin scoring a touchdown in the 3rd quarter that narrowed the Green Bay lead to 6. But Desmond Howard, a legendary return man in his own right, returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown, sealing a Green Bay win and their third Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl history.

SUPER BOWL XXXII
The Pack returned in force for Super Bowl XXXII, with Brett Favre winning his third consecutive NFL MVP award. Favre and the Pack were determined to become repeat champions, but it was not to be as John Elway and Terrell Davis narrowly escaped another Brett Favre miracle, clinching a 31-24 win.