Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Super Bowl XLV - Quarterbacks

Aaron Rodgers (GB) vs. Ben Roethlisberger (Pit)

These are undoubtedly 2 of the best QBs the NFL has to offer. Roethlisberger is in search of his 3rd Super Bowl win in just his 7th season. Rodgers is making his 1st Super Bowl appearance, but has risen to the top of the QB echelon in just a few seasons since taking over Green Bay's offense. The likes of Tom Brady and Peyton Manning are always the 1st ones mentioned when speaking of the best QBs in the league. Drew Brees threw his name into the hat after his marvelous Super Bowl run in 2009. Roethlisberger and Rodgers certainly belong in this category. It should be fun to watch them compete on February 6th.

Aaron Rodgers has been terrific this entire season. He passed for 3,922 yards and 28 TD during the regular season while throwing just 11 picks. These impressive numbers got even better through the first 2 rounds of the playoffs. In wins at Philadelphia and Atlanta he threw for 546 yards, 6 TD, and 0 INT. Last week the Bears were able to slow the air attack some, but Rodgers rushed for a TD in leading the Pack to their 1st Super Bowl in 14 years. The man can do it all. He is 6'2, 225 pounds with a strong arm and possesses pin-point accuracy. He is a helluva leader and will be looking for a Steve Young in Super Bowl XXIX moment that makes Cheeseheads all around finally stop yearning for the Brett Favre days once and for all.

Ben Roethlisberger is built like a brick house. He is 6'5, 245 pounds and virtually impossible to bring down with just 1 man. Roethlisberger brings intangibles to the field that makes the Steelers as formidable as they are. Everyone knows that Big Ben's season got off to a rocky start. After a night out with college women in Milledgeville, Georgia, caused Roethlisberger to be accused of sexual assault for the 2nd time - he became the 1st QB suspended by Roger Goodell for personal conduct. Despite missing the the initial 4 weeks of the season, Roethlisbereger never missed a beat. From day 1, Big Ben was determined to silence his critics. It resulted in 3,200 yards and 17 TD in 12 games. He has continued to position himself as 1 of the best playoff QBs of all time. He looks to join Terry Bradshaw, Joe Montana, Troy Aikman, and Tom Brady as the only QBs in NFL history to lead their team to 3 Super Bowl victories.

This one is difficult to decide which team has the advantage here. Roethlisberger is great at what he does. He extends plays and makes clutch throws when asked to. The truth is, the Steelers don't ask him to do all that much else. Rodgers on the other hand carries the weight of this offense on his shoulders. If this was a question of who is the better passer, I would take Rodgers all day. But the question is which team has the advantage at QB. Although it is a slight advantage, I will take the intangibles that Big Ben brings. His experience in high pressure games and ability to perform in the clutch are immeasurable by any statistic - other than 3 Super Bowls in 7 years.

Advantage - Pittsburgh

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