Super Bowl XLV Champs are…

Well it’s almost game time.  After looking at the teams during the week, I think that that both teams are pretty equal.  Here is why:

1.     Strong traditions – Green Bay has the most NFL Championships, Pittsburgh has the most Super Bowls. 

2.     Coach Mikes - Both coaches overcame major obstacles this season.  Steelers Head Coach, Mike Tomlin got through the first quarter of the season without his starting quarterback.  Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy loss several players to injuries, he is on his fourth starting right outside linebacker of the season.

3.     Quarterbacks – Both Aaron Rodgers and Ben Roethlisberger can throw and have a few options.

4.     Solid defenses – The top three players in the 2010 Defensive Player of the Year contest is on one of the teams playing in the Super Bowl.

So who am I giving the edge to?  

The Green Bay Packers.

I am giving the Packers the edge because of defense, primarily the secondary.  The Steelers’ defense has Safety, Troy Polamalu, in its secondary, but he is it.  This is the reason that the Jets took over the second half of the AFC title game and almost tied the game.  They could not stop Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes.  They will have difficulty against Greg Jennings.  Meanwhile, the Packers’ secondary has Charles Woodson, Sam Shields and Tramon Williams.  Hines Ward is a skilled, veteran receiver, but he and his teammates will not get past the Packers trio of defensive backs.  Plus, now with Maurkice Pouncey out of the Super Bowl, the Packers should be able to run better. and

I am predicting that the Green Bay Packers will take the trophy named in honor of its legendary coach Vince Lombardi to Green Bay for the first time since 1997.

Enjoy the game!

Ciao!

Heels & Helmets®

What a year!

Dallas Stadium is set, the commercials are sold out, North Texas is ready to party and now we have our teams.  Yes, Super Bowl XLV is on!  Congratulations to the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers who won their conferences and earned a trip to Dallas.  Green Bay won all of their playoff games on the road and beat the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship game to reach the Super Bowl.  Pittsburgh stopped the New York Jets from coming back to take the AFC title and get their third trip in six years to the Super Bowl. 

Championship Sunday started off lackluster.  Both games came down to defenses holding off come back victories.  Green Bay dominated the Bears in a very cold Soldier Field.  At half-time they were up, 14 – 0.  Neither team scored in the third quarter.  All of sudden Chicago came alive in the final quarter of the game and scored touchdowns – twice.  This put them behind by only one touchdown.  It was too late.  With their starting quarterback, Jay Cutler, on the sidelines STANDING with a hurt knee, there was nothing they could do against Green Bay’s defense.  (Not questioning if Cutler was really hurt, but he was STANDING and it was the CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.)  Even Green Bay’s quarterback, Aaron Rodgers got a tackle!

Pretty much the same thing happened in Heinz Field where Pittsburgh hosted the New York Jets.  Steeler Nation was fired up and the team kept the flame going.  The defense did not let the Jets run and stopped them from scoring a touchdown when they were within three yards from the goal line.  The Jets started their come back right before half-time by getting on the board with a field goal.  After that, the Steelers never scored again.  The Jets took over in the second half of the game.  They scored two touchdowns and got a safety.  It seemed as if they were going to stun a team with another come back victory the way they did so many times during the regular season.  However, this time; time ran out.  New York Jets Head Coach, Rex Ryan, comes close again but doesn’t get to the Big Game.  Instead, Mike Tomlin is going to his second Super Bowl as a head coach in just four years.

Last year after Championship Sunday, Heels & Helmets, began with the goal of being a resource to help ladies join the conversation when men discuss football.  (It’s our birthday!)  In the past year, we have written about the game, conducted workshops to explain football and hosted events to raise awareness and funds for organizations supporting women and youth.  Our posts have ranged from game recaps and predictions to new NFL rules.  We have also provided insight to player trades and the college recruiting process.  It has been an exciting year!  We’re just getting started.   So stay connected to know everything that is coming up.

As we kick-off our second year, we want to review the basics to get ready for Super Bowl XLV.  Read posts on the line of scrimmage, offense, defense, special teams, game strategies and playing time to freshen up on your knowledge.  Oh, don’t forget the new overtime rule for playoffs.  Next week we are doing a week-long special for Super Bowl.  We will write every day and break down the strengths and weaknesses of each of our Super Bowl teams, Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers.  You will be able to compare and make your prediction for the winner of Super Bowl XLV. 

Thank you for following.  We hope that we have helped you join the conversation at the office and surprise your sweetie. ;)  We look forward to another exciting year!

Ciao! 

Heels & Helmets®

Ahhh… NFL football!

Yes, NFL football is finally here!  OK, not really.  It is just the preseason.  Which basically means four weeks of scrimmages for teams to evaluate what players learned in training camp and how they apply it in a game setting to narrow down their roster and select starters.  You will not see the starters making the big hits that you will see during the regular season in fear of injuries before the season starts.  However, after six long months of not watching one down of football, just seeing the teams in full uniforms on the field creates some excitement for football fans.

Winning in the preseason does not necessarily indicate what a team will do in a real game.  Just look at the Detroit Lions who went undefeated during the 2008 preseason, but ended the regular season 0 – 16.  Nevertheless, it does provide a glimpse of what your team is capable of doing, where the weaknesses are, and most importantly gives you an opportunity to see players in action before drafting players for your fantasy football team.

After the first full weekend of preseason games, I was most impressed with the depth at quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Pittsburgh is going to be without Big Roethlisberger for the first part of the regular season.  Since he was slapped with his suspension, everyone has wondered who would take the snaps at the beginning of the season.  While it appears as if Byron Leftwich would get the starting job, he struggled over the weekend against Detroit.  But, no worries for Steeler Nation because Dennis Dixon stepped in and completed 6 of 7 passes and led the offense to three touchdowns after starting deep in their own territory.  They were playing the Lions and it is the preseason, so Steelers fans do not need to book flights Dallas (host for Super Bowl 2011), but they should feel comfortable with whoever Head Coach Mike Tomlin has fill in for Big Ben for a few weeks. 

Tonight the New York teams (Giants and Jets) will faceoff in the New Meadowlands Stadium at 8 p.m.  I selected the New York Jets to win it all this year.  Watching them return their starters and add veterans like LaDainian Tomlinson (running back) and Antonio Cromartie (cornerback) to their roster, I believe that they will get past the Indianapolis Colts this year, represent the AFC in the Super Bowl and take home the Lombardi Trophy.   Now the preseason has started and their star cornerback, Darrelle Revis, does not have a contract and has not been to training camp.  Jets fans should not worry, but tonight will show how strong the defense is without Revis.  Watch the game on ESPN.

OK, it’s time to get ready for the Heels & Helmets Fantasy Football League Draft on September 6 online at noon!  Go back and review the responsibilities of the positions on offense, defense, and special teams and catch a couple of preseason games to examine the players.  This will be your team!  You’re the boss.  Who will you pick?

Ciao! 

Heels & Helmets