Super Bowl will be old school: Packers vs. Steelers
You've got to like a football game when one of the game's biggest stars is a nose tackle. B.J. Raji's interception and touchdown return was the difference for Green Bay.
In an era of dizzying X-and-O game plans, climate-controlled stadiums and pyrotechnic halftime shows, what could be better than this?
Packers vs. Steelers. Two franchises that conjure images of bruised bodies and blue toes. Two franchises that are like running, banging, grunting history books, one born in 1919, the other in 1933.
One franchise is owned by the Rooney family, the other by 111,968 stockholders. Together, they’ve combined for 18 league championships, 44 Hall of Famers and two fan bases that unofficially hold all records for beer consumption.
Cue the grainy film and the voice of John Facenda. Green Bay and Pittsburgh will play in the Super Bowl in two weeks. The only unfortunate thing is it will take place in Dallas at Jerry Jones’ $1.3 billion Football Stadium and Go-Go Club, which has a retractable roof and a thermostat and a blur of martini bars.
Some frozen field in North Dakota, wood bleachers and a line of kegs would be more appropriate.
The Packers defeated the Chicago Bears 21-14 for the NFC championship. The Steelers, after a late-game mini-meltdown, held on to beat the New York Jets 24-19 for the AFC title. Although these are two of the most successful franchises in NFL history, it will be the first time they’ll meet for the league championship.
You may not think of this Green Bay team as a “Green Bay” team. The Packers are led by a strong-armed quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, who went to Cal-Berkeley.
But they were led Sunday by their defense. Green Bay’s two biggest plays of the day: Rodgers’ tackle of Chicago’s Brian Urlacher at midfield following a third-quarter interception, which probably saved a touchdown; a fourth-quarter interception by the nose tackle B.J. Raji, whose 337-pounds of thundering blubber shook the earth with a fourth-quarter interception and 18-yard return for a touchdown that made it 21-7.
The Steelers' defense held the Jets to 70 yards rushing, including only 16 yards on nine carries by LaDainian Tomlinson.
One year after the first Super Bowl between two dome stadium teams — New Orleans vs. Indianapolis – this year’s finale will be played between two outdoor teams that have dealt with the elements. Outdoor teams from cold-weather cities generally have overcome more adversity than indoor teams.
Falcons owner Arthur Blank wants an outdoor stadium. Who knows – maybe rain and chill would toughen his team up for future Januarys. Couldn’t hurt. Imagine if the Falcons last week were even as tough as Chicago was Sunday.
The Bears trailed Green Bay 14-0 early in the second quarter and looked on the verge of being blown out. But their defense held the Packers’ offense scoreless the rest of the game – six punts, two interceptions – and mounted an improbable rally behind Caleb Hanie, an undrafted, third-string quarterback out of Colorado State. Hanie came into the game after Jay Cutler injured his knee and backup Todd Collins flopped. He wasn’t always accurate but he showed what we already knew – the NFL postseason is less about finesse than it is survival. He led two Chicago touchdown drives but threw a pick-six to Raji, which turned out to be the difference.
If Falcons’ fans are looking for a small measure of solace, there’s this: The last three times they have been in the playoffs, they’ve lost to teams that reached the Super Bowl: Green Bay last week, Arizona in the conference semifinals in 2008 and Philadelphia in the NFC title game in 2004.
Rodgers’ dominance at the outset looked similar to last week’s 48-21 game in the Georgia Dome. On Green Bay’s opening drive, he completed all four of his passes for 76 yards and finished it off with a one-yard touchdown run. But he went only 13 for 26 for 168 yards with two interceptions the rest of the game. The Packers intercepted Hanie and Cutler three times and held Chicago to one third-down conversion. They won with defense.
Offense got the Packers to the playoffs. But defense got them to the Super Bowl. Defense always has been the engine that drives the Steelers.
It should be perfect old-school theater.
By Jeff Schultz
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Previous posts:
– Atlanta Spirit lied to us about Thrashers? Go figure
– NCAA has lost sight of mission, needs to end ‘oversigning’
– Part I: A word about ‘oversigning’ (and revisiting Saban’s dance)
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165 comments Add your comment
Freddie's Falcon
January 24th, 2011
12:09 pm
Hey Bears Fan – you should give that finger to Jay Cutlery. Dude, is weak and a quitter.
Matty no ice
January 24th, 2011
12:10 pm
Football was meant to be played outdoors, END of story! Especially in warm weather areas like Dallas & Atlanta, this is pro football, not ballet, man up guys or find a new line of work, Mr. Blank is right on, lets go outdoors & in the “burbs, not downtown where you have to be packin!
The Emperor's New Clothes
January 24th, 2011
12:18 pm
I agree football should be played outdoors in the elements, especially here in the south. But it should also be played downtown, not in the burbs. If you put the stadium in Duluth, for example, how are folks living in McDonough going to feel about that? ALL ROADS lead to downtown. Man up and drive down here.
Bears Fan
January 24th, 2011
12:28 pm
“you should give that finger to Jay Cutlery.”
Unlike fair weather douche bag fans like you, I give players the benefit of the doubt. At least we didn’t get destroyed like you gals did.
“Dude, is weak and a quitter.”
Hmmmmm, we lost 21-14. What did the Falcons lose by?
Matty ice my a$$.
Bears Fan
January 24th, 2011
12:30 pm
“Must be a frustrated Falcon with terminal digititis. ”
Hey Fudge Packer, not sure if you know this or not, but my handle reads BEARS FAN.
Also, TN SUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCKS!!!!!!
WAR DAMN EAGLE!
NFL
January 24th, 2011
12:30 pm
Willie Wood……………………………………
Volvo Dad
January 24th, 2011
12:32 pm
Will the new stadium be configured for soccer? I sure hope the World Cup comes to Atlanta. Soccer is the best sport ever.
PackerVol
January 24th, 2011
12:41 pm
Bears Fan
Let’s keep this an SECret but my Vol Daughter recently married a rabid Dawg (yes, I’ve had to confess my failure as a parent) and I told him that GB “G” was as close as I’ll get to the Dawg counterfeit (royalties or not) ….. da’ Bears will rally. George “Papa Bear” Halas (”Father” of the NFL)and his 324 career wins and 6 NFL championships beats even Lombardi’s 5. Why they don’t call it the “Halas Trophy” I’ll never know.
There’s always next year…. and the next, etc….. LOL (Lovie’s Offensive Luxury) would be to cut Cutler before the MRI and put on permanently disabled list. Your #3 QB looked like the man of the future. At least he has more tons intensity than Jay’s “dead pan” robotics.
yo mama
January 24th, 2011
12:46 pm
ok, so who let the crack head in here on this blog? FYI Conservative HC the falcons have never had a coach to post back to back to back winning seasons. Do you think that changing the culture of a franchise happens overnight? if you want that, become a Saints fan. They are a one dimension team, meaning take brees out of the equation, and they are the Aints. Conservative HC we are building a team. we are young, but the team is winning because of a winning culture brought to the team. You can’t always have it your way, this isnt burger king, its the NFL. Think of the Jets, would you knock them because they cant win the big game? Is Rex a coach who cant win the big one? Hell no, they are building that team too, more thru trades and free agency than atlanta. So, we have to make adjustments. Ryan just posted a great season, and as a team, we lost the mojo sometime in December. We are as close to being a solid franchise as we have ever been. Lay off that pipe dude, you are babbling right now. be realistic folks.
Bears Fan
January 24th, 2011
12:50 pm
PackerVol
Your John Smoltz QB look alike is going to get destroyed by that Steeler defense. Yeah, you guys might have more Super Bowl wins than us (2 more), but after the SB, you’ll be wishing that Cutler didn’t go down.
Oh, and the Vols SUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WAR DAMN EAGLE!
PackerVol (aka "FudgePacker" to the unenlightened)
January 24th, 2011
12:59 pm
Pardon me Jerkwad, I didn’t mean to offend your digital sensitivities or your Windy City Teddy Bears.
Should have known you’d be a Plainsman.
Last SEC and National Championship you’ll see for another 50 years.
Wait, I get it….. you’re PO’d because the Steelers are playin’ in the real Iron Bowl.
Outta’ here. Got to pick up my Super Bowl tickets from UPS.
Pack your own fudge Battle Chicken.
Jon
January 24th, 2011
12:59 pm
Should be a good game. I’ve got the Packers in warm weather. Recap at:
http://www.sportswithjon.blogspot.com
PackerVol
January 24th, 2011
1:03 pm
yo mamma
I think he passed the pipe to the Bears Fan (grammatically, wouldn’t that be Bears’ Fan) Hmmm…ask Cutler, he’s the Vandy grad.
Who Will Win The Super Bowl? Pundits’ Early Predictions | DAILYSPORTS NEWS TRENDS
January 24th, 2011
1:05 pm
[...] could be better than this? Packers vs. Steelers,” says Jeff Schultz in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. With two historic franchises facing off in the Super Bowl, old-timey fans should be bracing for a [...]
Greg
January 24th, 2011
1:06 pm
Congrats Packers and Steelers!
The Sham
January 24th, 2011
1:07 pm
@Schultz: “bruised bodies and blue toes…” – CLASSIC! Great job Jeff!
Being a Falcons and Vikes fan, it pains me to say it – Go Packers! I just can’t root for the rapist!
Conservative HC
January 24th, 2011
1:08 pm
yo mama, you’re the only one who seem to take my comments personally. No need to try and insult me calling me a crack head.
I guess me and a few folks on this blog are the only ones that see the coaching–or lack of it–is what’s causing this team the majority of problems. The other has been Dimitroff’s hit and miss drafts.
I could care less about having won three years in a row. Whoop di do! That’s what the HC and his staff gets paid for. Is it our fault that the Smith’s consistently kept losers in charge of this team for the majority of its existence?
Fact remains, Smitty is a conservative head coach. Goal is to score early and sit on the lead. Wants to be politically correct and not run the score up on his peers. What a wuss! You might enjoy that style of play, but it always catches up with you sooner or later. Ask Reeves or Schottenheimer if their stubborn ways didn’t cost them their jobs.
Personally, I think Smitty is a nice guy who just may be too loyal to his staff. Now someone is going to be held accountable come next year and this same thing continues–let’s just hope he takes control before one of his coordinators takes him down.
P.S. Learn to have a discussion without insulting others. Grow up. After all, this is a blog full of other’s opinions.
Bears Fan
January 24th, 2011
1:10 pm
“Last SEC and National Championship you’ll see for another 50 years. ”
Gotta love TN fans. You guys haven’t been relevant since the 90s. Sucks for you.
Bears Fan
January 24th, 2011
1:12 pm
“ok, so who let the crack head in here on this blog? ”
Atlanta leads the nation in crack and meth addicts. Just sayin….
When’s the last time Atlanta had a relevant sports team? Oh yeah, the 95 Braves.
BTW, I’m a HUGE Braves fan.
Bears Fan
January 24th, 2011
1:13 pm
“I think he passed the pipe to the Bears Fan (grammatically, wouldn’t that be Bears’ Fan) Hmmm…ask Cutler, he’s the Vandy grad.”
Says the guy known as “PackerVol.”
Bears Fan
January 24th, 2011
1:15 pm
“Last SEC and National Championship you’ll see for another 50 years. ”
Uh……..our last SEC Championship came in 2004 when we beat TN. I seem to remember Auburn beating TN twice in the same year.
Oh, and TN hasn’t beaten Auburn since the 90s. Keep on talking, rocky top!
NFL
January 24th, 2011
1:47 pm
Donny Anderson………………………………………………
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 24th, 2011
1:49 pm
@JSS
I don’t know why they get so upset – I love Matt “CHOKE” Ryan, just like they loved Vick when he was here
Its not my fault CHOKE is a JOKE and will never be anything more than an over hyped, overrated, never going to win a playoff game LOSER
I could care less if he is a nice guy – its about on the field performance
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 24th, 2011
1:53 pm
Arthur Blank it is time to end the CHOKE experiment.
It didn’t work, just be a man and admit you screwed up.
The longer you refuse to accept reality, and stick with CHOKE the Joke, the more quality franchise quarterbacks will be drafted by other teams.
So you lost 72 million dollars and received no ROI (Return Of Investment), just write it off as a huge bumbling mistake.
My suggestion to you – Never again trust a guy with a messed up haircut, making personnel decisions for you again
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 24th, 2011
2:01 pm
Finally
January 24th, 2011
10:49 am
Packers against Eagles – 5 point win, came down to last 40 seconds
Packers against Falcons – 27 point win, over before 4th quarter even starts
Packers against Bears – 7 point win, Bears with the ball playing to tie in regulation, comes down to last 34 seconds
One of these wins is not like the other ones
One of these wins just doesnt belong
One of these wins is not like the other ones
Can you tell me which one by the time I finish my song?
____________________________________________________
Hold on a second…. I know this one…….Wait its coming to me………..
Can I get a definition please?
Ackshun
January 24th, 2011
2:14 pm
Ok I had it with this consolation prize crap. The Green Bay Packers were a very beatable team when they came to the dome, we just didn’t do it. And the nail in the coffin was the pick 6 Matt tossed just before halftime. It provides me with no comfort that they went to the Superbowl because to me all it means is that if we had just played the game we the way we had been for 17 weeks we would have gone to Dallas. And save the Matt Ryan is inexperienced crap. Mark Sanchez has been in the league 2 years and gone to the AFC championship game in each of them. I am tired of looking on the bright side I WANT A G*D* RING!!
JSS
January 24th, 2011
2:14 pm
I guess Ledbetter finally stepped over the line with the people who inhibit the “Falcons Blog Protective Bunker.” If he keeps that up, they’ll feed him cyanide and set him on fire…
They’re over there patting themselves on the back for Grimes being elevated to the Pro Bowl roster. Grimes is one of my favorite members of that team. Still, Woodson and Shields have bigger fish to fry.
Funny, these are the same people who cry about the Pro Bowl being a “popularity contest” when it comes to the accomplish on the resume of other players…
JSS
January 24th, 2011
2:16 pm
“that accomplishment”
JASon
January 24th, 2011
2:22 pm
Yay. I can’t wait to see the f-ing steelers again.
Packer's Punter
January 24th, 2011
2:39 pm
Hello,
Thanks to that week off when we played the Falcons I was in tip top shape last night. Once again, thank you Falcons for the weekend off. It was sooooo relaxing and I had a great time in the ATL.
Your Friend,
The Packer’s Punter
JSS
January 24th, 2011
2:41 pm
Somebody has “multiple blogger user name personality disorder.” You can put lipstick on a “BugKiller comment” but it is still just a load of crap!
JSS
January 24th, 2011
2:46 pm
@ Jeff Schultz…
“MRI confirms Jay Cutler has a torn MCL. Still awaiting MRI confirming that he’s a rockhead.”
There’s not enough nuclear power this side of the sun to get that image! That is the stuff of science fiction!
I see
January 24th, 2011
2:47 pm
somebody else has a blog too frequently disorder. perhaps they should get out more.
NFL
January 24th, 2011
2:51 pm
Jim Taylor……………………………………………………….
justafan
January 24th, 2011
2:54 pm
#12 in the picture looks like…John Smoltze.
gdawginkalamazoo
January 24th, 2011
2:59 pm
My favorite play was the pick six by the fat lineman. Those ALWAYS crack me up. He was holding the ball out at the 10 yard line rumbling into the endzone. Looked like a damned elephant holding a peanut.
hbcuclassics
January 24th, 2011
3:09 pm
2011 HBCU Draft Board – WRs (1-5)
1. Raymond Webber 6′2, 218 WR Ark-PB
AP/FCS All-American, Walter Payton Award Finalist
led NCAA 101 rec. 1,429yds 10TDs 129.9ypg.
only receiver w/ more receptions is Jerry Rice.
Coach: Monte Coleman (don’t be stupid on this one)
2. Ricardo Lockette, 6′3, 199 WR/KR FVSU
2009 DII 200 Meter Champion
23 rec./232 yds. 4.39-4.41/40yd. dash
Mentor: Terrence Mathis – track guy
3. Ronnie Childs 6′2 195 WR Albany State
BASN All-American, All-SIAC, SIAC Champ 11-1
45 rec./ 22ypc./12TDs – (all he does is catch TDs)
4. Jeremy Franklin 6′3, 199 WR/KR JC Smith
3x All-CIAA, JC Smith All-time leading receiver
55 rec/823 yds/5 TDs – fierce, beats up DBs.
5. Larrone Moore 6′0, 185 WR/KR Delaware St.
25 rec. 450yds 4TDs, 18.8ypc – another track guy
2x Maryland 4A 100m champ, 55m Maryland State champ
4.29-4.36/ 40yd dash (has Deion-like speed)
http://www.hbcuclassics.com
dan
January 24th, 2011
3:16 pm
Jeff,
I think what this Super Bowl match up demonstrates is that for this year at least, smash mouth football wins. No Tom Brady, No Peyton Manning, no Drew Brees,no Mike Vick, no Matt Ryan. Just old school hit you in the mouth football. All four of the teams that got to the championship games had the ability to turn it on defensively when they needed to, whereas the teams that crapped out didn’t. And until my Falcons get some toughness in them, they will continue to have early exits in the playoffs.
JSS stands for...
January 24th, 2011
3:42 pm
…Juicy Stud Sucking.
Out of Town
January 24th, 2011
3:57 pm
Does Woodson’s towel say “National Football Conference Conference Champions”
JSS
January 24th, 2011
4:25 pm
JSS stands for…
January 24th, 2011
3:42 pm
“…Juicy Stud Sucking”
Nope, wrong again… But, keep on trying… Sooner or you’ll reach a point of “reality” and realize that you are “sociologically unbalanced!”
JSS & "CHOKE" real names and couple photo
January 24th, 2011
4:34 pm
http://gaylife.about.com/od/entertainment/ig/Couples.–PU/Gay-Couple-Bryan-an-Roger.htm
Finally
January 24th, 2011
4:43 pm
Choke, you don’t need a definition. One of those Packers wins in the playoffs was not like the other ones – one of those Packers wins was a blow-out. hmmmmmm, which one was it? The 5 point win over Philly? The 7 point win over Chicago? Or the 27 point win over Atlanta??
think about it! LOL
Finally
January 24th, 2011
4:44 pm
JSS you noticed too that the same people who were hollering the ProBowl was just a popularity contest are now so proudly pumping up the Falcons that made it? wonder why?
Still bitter
January 24th, 2011
4:49 pm
dang… must be nice to have a team that is playoff worthy and doesn’t embarrASS themselves when it REALLY matters.
gtag
January 24th, 2011
5:03 pm
Why are the Steelers always in the mix? They must have a great organization from the owner to the trainer and they seem to draft very good players.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 24th, 2011
5:08 pm
Ackshun
January 24th, 2011
2:14 pm
Ok I had it with this consolation prize crap. The Green Bay Packers were a very beatable team when they came to the dome, we just didn’t do it. And the nail in the coffin was the pick 6 Matt tossed just before halftime. It provides me with no comfort that they went to the Superbowl because to me all it means is that if we had just played the game we the way we had been for 17 weeks we would have gone to Dallas. And save the Matt Ryan is inexperienced crap. Mark Sanchez has been in the league 2 years and gone to the AFC championship game in each of them. I am tired of looking on the bright side I WANT A G*D* RING!!
__________________________________________________________
You are wasting your breath.
These delusional fans will defend CHOKE for many playoff winless years to come.
The odds are greater that you can find 3 Republicans that make sense.
Colin Powell is the only one
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 24th, 2011
5:19 pm
Finally
January 24th, 2011
4:43 pm
Choke, you don’t need a definition. One of those Packers wins in the playoffs was not like the other ones – one of those Packers wins was a blow-out. hmmmmmm, which one was it? The 5 point win over Philly? The 7 point win over Chicago? Or the 27 point win over Atlanta??
think about it! LOL
______________________________________________
Well I am not sure……….. can I phone a friend?……Can I use one of my lifelines?
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 24th, 2011
5:22 pm
Still bitter
January 24th, 2011
4:49 pm
dang… must be nice to have a team that is playoff worthy and doesn’t embarrASS themselves when it REALLY matters.
________________________________________
What is CHOKE and the Falcants for 200 Alex
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 24th, 2011
5:24 pm
gtag
January 24th, 2011
5:03 pm
Why are the Steelers always in the mix? They must have a great organization from the owner to the trainer and they seem to draft very good players.
_______________________________________________
In Dimitroff we trust