Green Bay Packers linebacker #52 Clay Matthews III Oh well, so much for expert predictions and intimidating names. Turns out that winning Super Bowl XLV was determined by defense all right, but it was the so-called weaker defense of the Green Bay Packers that struck the deciding blows in this up and down championship game.
The Packers defense forced three turnovers by the Steelers offense, two of those being interceptions of Ben Rothlisberger passes. On both interceptions Big Ben was being pressured by the "weaker" Green Bay defense. The other turnover was caused by Packers linebacker Clay Matthews, who accomplished winning an NFL title for three generations of Matthews that played professional football but never brought home a championship.
Mendenhall FumbleClay's fumble-causing hit on Steeler RB Rashard Mendenhall at the Packers 35-yard-line was crucial in that it took the second half momentum away from the resurging Steelers who were down by only 4pts and marching toward a possible go ahead score.
Sure, Super Bowl MVP QB Aaron Rogers played with precision passing in hitting starting receiver Greg Jennings for two touchdowns while backup receiver Jordy Nelson had a career day hauling in nine passes for 140 yards and a touchdown. But it was this "weaker" Packers defense, missing star cornerback Charles Woodson and a slew of other parts, who get my vote for MVP.
The fact that the Mendenhall fumble came just as I was collecting $$$$'s for my third quarter football pool numbers (GB 1 Pitt 7) may have influenced my opinion of the importance of that play. Either way, the proof of Defense Winning Championships is definitely in the pudding, and the Green Bay Packers looked like kids who'd had their fill of chocolate pudding as they hoisted the Vince Lombardi trophy this night in Dallas.
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