Year in and year out it has been said over and over that defense wins championship. This year is no different as Super Bowl 45 has two great defenses and both defenses rely heavily on the linebacking core as both play 3-4 type of defenses.
Defensive line- The edge here is easily given to the Green Bay Packers. BJ Raji is no doubt the best defensive lineman in the game and he is only in his second year. Can you say future Hall of Famer? Cullen Jenkins is a good complement to Raji as he is able to close quickly to the quarterback. For the Steelers Casey Hampton plays the nose tackle spot and he is a gritty veteran and is a great plugger for the A gap. If Hampton or Ziggy Hood can get pressure on Rodgers and throw his timing off then that will help out the secondary.
EDGE- Packers
Linebackers- This is a little tougher to predict who has the edge here. While the Packers have the best linebacking duo in A.J. Hawk and Clay Matthews, there might not be a better group of linebackers than the Steelers Lamar Woodley, James Farrior, Lawrence Timmons, and James Harrison. If James Farrior was grouped with a Bart Scott or Adalius Thomas it would be a little easier to choose. The linebackers for both defense is what sets the tone for each defense with their hard hits on the opposing quarterback. Desmond Bishop and Erik Walden are the wildcards and if they play up to the level of a Timmons or Woodley then the Packers would have the edge but I cant just see that; therefore; The edge is a toss-up.
EDGE- Toss-up
Secondary- The Steelers have the defensive player of the year in Troy Polomolu playing safety while the Packers have the best corner, Charles Woodson. The thing with Polomolu is that he plays everywhere and doesnt just line up at safety. He could be three to fifteen yards off the ball when it is snapped...and good luck trying to stop him. As for the rest of each unit, the Packers got a nice surprise in Charlie Peprah and Tramon Williams this season as both of them have upped their level of play this year. The Steelers other secondary has been tested in the Super Bowl and with Ryan Clark and Ike Taylor leading the charge ill take the Steelers secondary over the Packers.
EDGE- Steelers
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