My Pick to Win Superbowl XLV

This Monday's Superbowl game will be the first that I'm going to miss in the years that I have declared Superbowl Monday as an official holiday in my calendar.  Let us not discuss the WHY of it so let me just go straight to my declaration as to who will win Superbowl XLV:  The Greenbay Packers!

Yeah, yeah...I'm biased alright!  I am afterall a Greenbay Packer fan.  I'm a certified cheesehead that I wagered for a Starbucks Venti Caramel Macchiato with an officemate amidst Madden 11 forecast of a Steelers win.  The simulated Madden Superbowl game have correctly predicted the outcome of last 6 of the 7 Superbowls and has predicted a 24-20 Steelers win come Monday. 

Well, simulation is based on chances.  Mine's is based on the belief that the Packer defense will neutralize the running game of the Steelers and smother Big Ben with their pass rush defense.  Both teams are actually evenly matched on both sides of the field.  But at the end of it all, its the team who wants it more and whose side the the ball bounces will win. 

Greenbay have not won the Superbowl since the 1996 season and I believe this makes them the hungrier team.  I just hope the breaks of the game will bounce their side.  If they do win I'd guess it'll be at least by 7 points and with them getting the early score.

Go Packs!

Superbowl XLV: Forecast

One thing that adds to the spice of the NFL is that come playoff time all games are do or die.  Unlike other sporting events, there's no best of 3 or 5 or 7---it's lose and go home!  In this sense, statistics does not really matter in forecasting who will meet in the Superbowl.  The team who gets the better breaks win!

By default, the defending champion is expected to repeat, but then, there's only a handful of Superbowl streaks in NFL history.  So I guess this would be wishful thinking.  Look where the New Orleans Saints are right now?

We are now down to the NFC and AFC championship.  Pittsburg Steelers vs. New York Jets.  Chicago Bears vs. Greenbay Packers. 

The Jets won in 22-17 during their regular season match up with the Steelers.  While the Packers and the Bears split their two game meeting in tightly contested battles. My fearless forecast is:  Pittsburg Steelers vs. Greenbay Packers.  Why?  Because it's a fearless forecast; meaning, I don't give a rat's ass what anyone else has to say!  Nahhh, just pulling your leg there!  Of course, I want to be entertained come Superbowl day and the Steelers and the Packers would be a better match up.  Other than that, I'm a Packers fan so that one's a given.  However, I do have this palpitating urge to cheer for the Jets just to give credit to Rex Ryan's effort in bringing his team this far.

Superbowl XLIII: Defense vs Offense

The Steelers is predominantly a running team riding on running back Willie Parker to lead the charge! Offensively, the Steelers are not potent ranking a measly 22nd in total offense. Their bread and butter however is their formidable defence being ranked number 1 and 2 in terms of passing and rushing during the regular season, respectively. This being said, 7/8 times in Superbowl history that a top ranked defensive team has won the Lombardi trophy!

On the other hand, the Cardinals is a passing team relying heavily on Kurt Warner's arms. They rank 2nd in passing offense and 4th in total offense during the regular season. However, Cardinal's Achilles heel is their defense which ranks 19th in the league.

This is a classic DEFENSE vs OFFENSE game!

In order to win, The Cardinals must do the following:

1. The offensive line needs to make sure that Warner gets his time in the pocket.

2. James needs to step up his running game.

3. The Cardinal defense must contain Willie Parker.

Since I'm not rooting for the Steelers---I guess they just have to lay down and die!