Super Bowl Picks – Roethlisberger, Rodgers Ready To Put On A Show At Super Bowl XLV
Anybody that knows anything about football will tell you that the game has progressed so much so over the years that the quarterback position is undoubtedly the most critical for any legitimate contender. A quick glance at the Super Bowl betting winning teams from over the past decade will feature names such as Tom Brady, Drew Brees, and Peyton Manning. One of the names that sticks out on that list is Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who is one of two signal callers along with Brady that have won multiple titles over that span. Roethlisberger will have the chance to match the Patriots’ franchise player with a third ring in Super Bowl XLV, when he goes up against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. Here is a look at the matchup:
Ben Roethlisberger – Pittsburgh Steelers
For as much negativity as the Steelers’ franchise quarterback has endured for his actions off the field, he has been too good on it for the terrible towel wavers not to appreciate his presence. To think that owner Art Rooney III and Pittsburgh management actually thought about trading him before the season is surprising, especially considering that he already has the highest passer rating of any Steelers’ quarterback in the postseason. The 2004 AP Rookie of the Year is 10-2 in postseason action including a perfect 2-0 in the Super Bowl, and his ability to step up his game in crucial moments has not gone unnoticed. Roethlisberger’s game-winning touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes in the final drive of the 2009 Super Bowl win over the Arizona Cardinals is the stuff of legend, and the intangibles he boasts have made a big difference when it is all on the line. Roethlisberger’s massive frame and ability to scramble and buy time for his receivers has proved crucial, and his calm and poise under duress has separated him from many other great quarterbacks.
Aaron Rodgers – Green Bay Packers
When the Packers took Aaron Rodgers in the first round of the 2005 NFL draft, they felt that they had found the potential successor to the legendary Brett Favre. Rodgers can live up to that expectation by leading Green Bay to a win in Super Bowl XLV, which would match him with No. 4 for rings with one. Rodgers has elevated his performance in the postseason, setting an NFL record with 10 touchdowns through his first three playoff games, and although he struggled in the NFC Championship game against the Chicago Bears, he has already shown he can take his game to the next sports betting level. With a stable of wide receivers as good as any in the league, the former California quarterback has found the perfect balance spreading the ball, and is now one more big performance away from achieving his ultimate goal.
Comparison & Pick
As good as Rodgers has been, Roethlisberger has done too much in the postseason to ignore, and that will give the edge to Pittsburgh in this category. Confident, poised, and with the experience to deal with the pressure, Big Ben has been one of the best postseason performers of all-time. Rodgers has some of the same qualities as Roethlisberger, but for now the experience and ability to perform in the clutch gives the Steelers’ quarterback the football betting edge.
Edge: Roethlisberger
