*I think the most basic analysis of the game would be that Aaron Rodgers was more accurate than Ben Roethlisberger. Neither QB was really pressured all that much, and both teams were able to move the ball, but Rodgers was more accurate while Roethlisberger misfired on occasion. His INT to Collins was a big play, and he forced a pass that Bush intercepted.
*The turf was in terrible shape. I don't know why, maybe it was the recent cold weather, but players were slipping and getting hurt all game. Field goal kicking was a nightmare. On one play, Jordy Nelson fell to the turf and his sock got completely shredded. Were they playing on broken glass?
*I think the big play in the game was Clay Matthews' hit on Mendenhall that caused the fumble. The Steelers appeared primed to take the lead on that drive, but the Packers took the ball away and eventually scored themselves.
*Both Rodgers and Roethlisberger made some really aggressive throws. Rodgers TD pass to Jennings could have been picked off by a couple Steelers, and Roethlisberger's TD to Wallace was thrown despite a safety sitting on top of the play.
*As much as it pains me to say it, I think the Packers outcoached the Steelers. Their WR sets forced Polamalu into coverage, which didn't allow Polamalu the freedom to roam around and wreak havoc. Also, the Packers would split Starks or Jackson wide to James Harrison's side, which forced Harrison into coverage. I thought the Steelers should have blitzed Harrison on every down and moved him around so that the Packers couldn't isolate him in coverage. Very weird that the Steelers didn't adjust.
*Troy Aikman defending the phantom facemask call on Eric Crabtree by saying Crabtree grabbed the Steeler player "in the facemask area" was pathetic.
*I was glad the Steelers came back and made a game of it, but after Crosby kicked the last FG, the camera showed Roethlisberger on the sideline with Charlie Batch and the coaches, and no one displayed any confidence. They all looked like they wanted to be anywhere else but Dallas. The subsequent two-minute drill left much to be desired. The penalty on the kickoff hurt, but it took Pittsburgh an entire minute just to get to the 25-yard line. Not good.
*The turf was in terrible shape. I don't know why, maybe it was the recent cold weather, but players were slipping and getting hurt all game. Field goal kicking was a nightmare. On one play, Jordy Nelson fell to the turf and his sock got completely shredded. Were they playing on broken glass?
*I think the big play in the game was Clay Matthews' hit on Mendenhall that caused the fumble. The Steelers appeared primed to take the lead on that drive, but the Packers took the ball away and eventually scored themselves.
*Both Rodgers and Roethlisberger made some really aggressive throws. Rodgers TD pass to Jennings could have been picked off by a couple Steelers, and Roethlisberger's TD to Wallace was thrown despite a safety sitting on top of the play.
*As much as it pains me to say it, I think the Packers outcoached the Steelers. Their WR sets forced Polamalu into coverage, which didn't allow Polamalu the freedom to roam around and wreak havoc. Also, the Packers would split Starks or Jackson wide to James Harrison's side, which forced Harrison into coverage. I thought the Steelers should have blitzed Harrison on every down and moved him around so that the Packers couldn't isolate him in coverage. Very weird that the Steelers didn't adjust.
*Troy Aikman defending the phantom facemask call on Eric Crabtree by saying Crabtree grabbed the Steeler player "in the facemask area" was pathetic.
*I was glad the Steelers came back and made a game of it, but after Crosby kicked the last FG, the camera showed Roethlisberger on the sideline with Charlie Batch and the coaches, and no one displayed any confidence. They all looked like they wanted to be anywhere else but Dallas. The subsequent two-minute drill left much to be desired. The penalty on the kickoff hurt, but it took Pittsburgh an entire minute just to get to the 25-yard line. Not good.
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