Packers Quarterback Aaron Rodgers put himself in the group of elite QB’s in the NFL and out of the shadow of Brett Farve by leading the Green Bay Packers to victory in Super Bowl XLV. Rodgers completed 24 of 39 passes for 304 yards and 3 touchdowns, earning himself MVP of the game.
The Packers used four wide receivers most of the game, spreading out the Steelers defense and exposing their weaknesses in coverage. Troy Polamalu, the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year was a no factor in the game due to Green Bay forcing him to play in space and in 2 deep coverage. Packers WR’s Greg Jennings(4 catches 64 yards 2 TD’s) and Jordy Nelson(9 catches 140 yards 1 TD) torched the Steelers secondary all game, as the Packers led the game 21-10 at the half.
The Steelers came out after the half with a 77 yard drive that ended with an 8 yard TD run by RB Rashard Mendenhall, making the score 21-17. After stopping the Packers on their offensive series,the Steelers had the momentum and seemed to be driving down the field on their way to taking the lead. But Mendenhall was clobbered by Packers LB Clay Matthews and fumbled the ball which was recovered by the Packers.
Te Packers scored the game clinching points on a laser from Aaron Rodgers to Greg Jennings for a 8yard touchdown. The Steelers scored a TD with 7:34 left on a 25 yard TD pass from Big Ben to WR Mike Wallace, and then converted the to point conversion bringing the score to 28-25. Mason Crosby added a field goal giving the Packers a 31-25 lead. Big Ben had has opportunity to lead the Steelers to victory, but the Packers defense clamped down and made the stop, giving them the Super Bowl victory.