Super Bowl XLV Prediction

I won't beat around the bush -- I hate both the Steelers and Packers.  I still have some lingering resentment over the Packers win against the Patriots in Super Bowl XXI.  And the Steelers, well, they're just obnoxious.

Alas, this is the matchup for the Super Bowl this year.  I think it should be a good game.  Both teams present matchup problems for each other.

The Packers aren't a great running team, and the Steelers are air-tight against the run.  If the Steelers pass rush can get to Packer QB Aaron Rodgers, it could spell trouble for Green Bay.

On the other hand, the Steelers are banged up.  Center Maurice Pouncey is out.  Taking his place will be Jeff Lagursky, who has four career starts, none at center.  Green Bay has a fearsome pass rush too, and they could be in Ben Roesthlisberger's face all day.  The Packers also have great cover corner who could shut down Hines Ward, Mike Wallace & Co., which would make the Green Bay pass rush that much more effective.

I can see this game going either way.  I can see the Steelers defense dominating, and watching Aaron Rodgers going to the sideline after bloodied and battered after every possession, and I can see the Packer defense dominating and watching Roesthlisberger wear that douchebag look on his face all evening as he throws two or three untimely interceptions.

But I have to pick one.  I hate the Packers less than I hate the Steelers (the fact that the Patriots have won three Super Bowls since their loss to the Packers probably contributes to the pain over Super Bowl XXI abiding to some extent). 

And the Steelers won Super Bowl XL as a #6 seed.  So, it'd be only appropriate if they received payback from the #6-seed Packers.

The last time these two teams played, in 2009, the Steelers won 37-36 when Roethlisberger completed a Steeler-record 500-yard passing day by throwing a TD pass on the final play. It could be just as exciting a finish today.

But with a different result.  Packers 24, Steelers 19