Super Bowl XLV - Wide Receivers

Green Bay - Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, James Jones, Jordy Nelson, Andrew Quarless
Pittsburgh - Mike Wallace, Hines Ward, Emmanuel Sanders, Antonio Brown, Heath Miller

Each of the Super Bowl squads have very good receiving corps. There is only 1 Pro Bowler amongst both groups in Greg Jennings, but there are former Pro Bowlers and rising stars. Both teams are very capable of explosive plays in the passing game. Green Bay has gotten big performances from their receivers all season long, and don't expect the presence of Troy Polamalu to stop this. Pittsburgh has perhaps the game's best deep threat in Mike Wallace. This guy can fly. There should be many more sparks through the air than on the ground.

Green Bay's aerial attack is very dangerous. Greg Jennings has become 1 of the NFL's top receivers, and Donald Driver is as good as it comes as a No.2 target. James Jones has had a case of the "drops" at times this year, but he can certainly provide a big play or 2 as well. The Packers lost a fantastic weapon when TE Jermichael Finley went down with an injury. Aaron Rodgers has not utilized the tight ends all that often, but has tended to use Jordy Nelson as his safety valve. The Packers ranked 5th in the league in yards through the air. The versatility of their wide receivers gives Rodgers plenty of options.

The Steelers have changed their offensive personality in recent years. They still have the devastating defense, but the offense expects to get their big plays by passing the ball now. Mike Wallace is quickly becoming an elite receiver. He has become yet another diamond that this organization has found in the rough. As rumors swirl about his possible retirement, Hines Wards remains the NFL's best blocking WR and is still who Big Ben looks to when he needs to move the chains. Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown have been pleasant surprises and have made big plays throughout this Super Bowl run. Heath Miller is possibly Big Ben's favorite target at TE, and should play a huge role in this game.

This is a tough position to give 1 team or another the advantage. I will give a slight one to the Packers though. Their bunch is a little more versatile as well as explosive. Green Bay has a plethora of options. Because Rodgers has this luxury, he may not have to throw in Polamalu's direction very often. Pittsburgh has good receivers too, I just think Green Bay's are a little better.

Advantage - Green Bay