January 25th, 2011 Tuesday
Tuesday’s Football Notes
Packers Complete the Road Trifecta
The Packers stormed into the windy city on Sunday having won their previous two post season matchups on the road and looking for the trifecta sweep. It was not a pretty win for Green Bay , but Aaron Rodgers and the Packers managed to hold off the Bears late second half rally. The win was secured largely due to the play of the game, a 18 yard interception and return for a touchdown by the Packers defensive lineman B.J. Raji. This was the second time in about a month that the Packers had defeated the Bears and now they will face the Steelers on Super Bowl Sunday. The Cheesehead road warriors have now ran off five straight wins, defeating the Bears twice, the Giants, Falcons, and Eagles. A win on Super Sunday would complete what has been a remarkable run for Rodgers and company; one that actually started some three plus seasons ago on September 8th, 2008 when Rodgers first took the snap under center as the Packers new starting quarterback.
Roethlisberger Gets Knocked Around But Not Down
The Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was knocked around pretty good on Sunday against the Jets defense. In the early moments of the first quarter Big Ben took a hard shot in the thigh area from Jets lineback Calvin Pace. He came up limping pretty noticeably and it had to be an early concern for the Steelers coaching staff; part of Ben’s effectiveness is his mobility and ability to stretch the play. Sunday’s matchup with the Jets was anything, but pretty with both defenses makes plays to keep this contest close. It was the Steelers defense early with a sack, forced fumble and return for a touchdown dictating action, but in the second half the Jets defense seemed to stiffen up, coming up with two picks and forcing a safety mid-way through the 4th quarter. Big Ben took his licks, but despite the early injury he continued to play well enough to pick up needed first downs, chew clock, and in the game’s most critical moment make the play of the game with a short pass to rookie wide receiver Aaron Brown to gain the needed first down to run out the clock. Big Ben’s injury did not appear to be serious as he was able to play the rest of the game with no visible setbacks. With two weeks the Steelers quarterback should be healthy and ready to evade the Packers pass rush on Super Sunday; evade it as well as anyone can be expected.
This Could Be a Rematch for the Ages
The Steelers and the Packers; why does that sound so sweet and what is so familiar and enticing about this matchup anyway? Maybe it’s because we have seen this act once before and with the second act set to take place on the world’s largest stage how can we not anticipate greatest beyond imagination. Two historic franchises with a winning culture and nine Super Bowl trophies combined, how can anyone expect anything less than a spectacular Super-ridiculous matchup on Super Bowl Sunday? What makes this matchup so surreal, for most of the football world that follows this game with dedication and passion, we have already seen these two Goliaths battle once before and the result; one of the greatest games played in recent history. Last year the Packers and Steelers lined up on Heinz Field and did battle like two gladiators fighting for a kingdom and locked in a death-match. It was no-holds barred as these two squared off throwing hay-makers one after another. Both teams would total over 70 points and rack up 973 net yards of offense, with the final play in regulation deciding the outcome. Needless to say, the Steelers prevailed 37-36 on Big Ben’s 19 yard touchdown pass to Mike Wallace (the extra point was necessary to secure the win). It was a matchup for the ages that has gone down in the history books (and one you can catch on the NFL Network) as one of the greatest games ever played and in less than two weeks, these two teams get to do it again for the largest prize; the Lombardi Trophy. Get ready for Super Sunday, it should be a great one!
By David Ortega
The Packers stormed into the windy city on Sunday having won their previous two post season matchups on the road and looking for the trifecta sweep. It was not a pretty win for Green Bay , but Aaron Rodgers and the Packers managed to hold off the Bears late second half rally. The win was secured largely due to the play of the game, a 18 yard interception and return for a touchdown by the Packers defensive lineman B.J. Raji. This was the second time in about a month that the Packers had defeated the Bears and now they will face the Steelers on Super Bowl Sunday. The Cheesehead road warriors have now ran off five straight wins, defeating the Bears twice, the Giants, Falcons, and Eagles. A win on Super Sunday would complete what has been a remarkable run for Rodgers and company; one that actually started some three plus seasons ago on September 8th, 2008 when Rodgers first took the snap under center as the Packers new starting quarterback.
Roethlisberger Gets Knocked Around But Not Down
The Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was knocked around pretty good on Sunday against the Jets defense. In the early moments of the first quarter Big Ben took a hard shot in the thigh area from Jets lineback Calvin Pace. He came up limping pretty noticeably and it had to be an early concern for the Steelers coaching staff; part of Ben’s effectiveness is his mobility and ability to stretch the play. Sunday’s matchup with the Jets was anything, but pretty with both defenses makes plays to keep this contest close. It was the Steelers defense early with a sack, forced fumble and return for a touchdown dictating action, but in the second half the Jets defense seemed to stiffen up, coming up with two picks and forcing a safety mid-way through the 4th quarter. Big Ben took his licks, but despite the early injury he continued to play well enough to pick up needed first downs, chew clock, and in the game’s most critical moment make the play of the game with a short pass to rookie wide receiver Aaron Brown to gain the needed first down to run out the clock. Big Ben’s injury did not appear to be serious as he was able to play the rest of the game with no visible setbacks. With two weeks the Steelers quarterback should be healthy and ready to evade the Packers pass rush on Super Sunday; evade it as well as anyone can be expected.
This Could Be a Rematch for the Ages
The Steelers and the Packers; why does that sound so sweet and what is so familiar and enticing about this matchup anyway? Maybe it’s because we have seen this act once before and with the second act set to take place on the world’s largest stage how can we not anticipate greatest beyond imagination. Two historic franchises with a winning culture and nine Super Bowl trophies combined, how can anyone expect anything less than a spectacular Super-ridiculous matchup on Super Bowl Sunday? What makes this matchup so surreal, for most of the football world that follows this game with dedication and passion, we have already seen these two Goliaths battle once before and the result; one of the greatest games played in recent history. Last year the Packers and Steelers lined up on Heinz Field and did battle like two gladiators fighting for a kingdom and locked in a death-match. It was no-holds barred as these two squared off throwing hay-makers one after another. Both teams would total over 70 points and rack up 973 net yards of offense, with the final play in regulation deciding the outcome. Needless to say, the Steelers prevailed 37-36 on Big Ben’s 19 yard touchdown pass to Mike Wallace (the extra point was necessary to secure the win). It was a matchup for the ages that has gone down in the history books (and one you can catch on the NFL Network) as one of the greatest games ever played and in less than two weeks, these two teams get to do it again for the largest prize; the Lombardi Trophy. Get ready for Super Sunday, it should be a great one!
By David Ortega
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