Prognostication

Superbowl XLV is only a few days away now.  The big story this week has been the weather.  Really??  The game is indoors.  Both teams are practicing indoors.  Why is the weather a factor?  It's a factor because of all the media and having to deal with it.  Dan Patrick broadcasting in a make-shift man cave with a stocking cap and breath smoke.  Mike and Mike broadcasting in their winter coats.  The weather is a story because it's an inconvenience for the media.  In a few years when the Superbowl is in Giants Stadium, we can talk about the weather, but it's not a factor now so let's drop it.  Another story blown out of proportion was the story about Roethlisberger taking his linemen out for a meal.  Why was this a big deal?  It is a superbowl tradition for him to treat his linemen to a meal and some fun.  No one was hurt, no rules or laws were broken, they were back before curfew, so why is this an issue?  Maybe if it were on Friday or Saturday night I could see it being a problem, but on a Tuesday??  Tony Dungy said this morning that when the Colts went, he gave his team Monday night off.  He told them they could do anything they want, no curfew as long as they didn't get in trouble with the law.  He didn't see any problem with it, apparently Mike Tomlin didn't have a problem with it, so it's not a big deal.
We found out more information in the Jay Cutler story yesterday.  A source inside the Bears organization told the Sun-Times that the coaches planned on playing the second half with-OUT Cutler because of his sprained MCL.  He convinced the coaches to let him try a pain shot and play in the second half.  If he were a quitter like he's being made out to be, he'd have come out of that locker room in street clothes instead of playing another series in the second half.
My next question is, Why are the Steelers 2 1/2 point dogs in the Superbowl??  Really??  They have been tougher teams on their way to the big game.  They were the second seed in the AFC while Green Bay was a six seed.  Everyone is talking about how great the Packers are.  How they are a team of destiny.  How they are the best team in the NFL.  Green Bay is not the great amazing team that everyone is saying they are.  If they were this team, they would be higher than a #6 seed.  Look at the facts.  Pittsburgh beat a VERY talented and equal team, in dominating fashion.  They followed that with a convincing win over the AFC's hottest team.  They Packers beat a struggling Eagles team with a quarterback who was just humbled.  Then they beat a very overrated Falcons team and a temperamental Bears team.  The Chiefs are overrated because they didn't play anyone this season.  Well, the Packers are overrated in the playoffs because they didn't play anyone.  The Chiefs could get to the superbowl with that schedule.
I am happy for Aaron Rodgers and his success.  There has been no "legend hangover" in Green Bay.  Some teams are still having "legend hangover."  The Broncos are still trying to replace Elway, the Dolphins trying to replace Marino, the Bills trying to replace Kelly, and the 49ers replacing Steve Young to name a few.  Some have found their replacements but not without some growing pains.  The Cowboys found Romo (i'm still not convinced he's that good) the Colts found Manning, the Chargers found Rivers, the Jets found Sanchez, the Giants found the younger Manning, and of course, the Steelers found Roethlisberger.   The Favre to Rodgers transition was a little awkward, but it never affected the Packers on the field.  Rodgers stepped in where Favre left off, gained the support of Packer Nation immediately, and in only a few years brought the Packers back to the Superbowl.
But I expect the Packers to have the same amount of success that the Chiefs had in the playoffs.  Between their lack of competition leading up to the game, the Steelers experience in this game, and the Packers lack of a running game, I can't see them winning this game.  It is supposed to be a defensive battle.  Those kinda games are usually very high scoring and I think this will be the same kind of game and I think the Steelers win a shootout.  The score will make it seem closer than it really is.
Go Steelers!!