National Football League

Vote: Who will be Super Bowl XLV MVP?

Published Jan. 27, 2011 9:48 p.m. ET

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The Super Bowl XLV (FOX pregame at 2 p.m. ET, kickoff at 6:29) is rapidly approaching. We take a quick look at some of the leading contenders for Super Bowl MVP.

Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers: He's achieved elite quarterback status in his sixth season. Absent a consistent running game, Rodgers threw for almost 4,000 yards in the regular season. The Packers can't score without brilliance from Rodgers.

Clay Matthews: The linebacker pounded quarterbacks all season on his way to 13.5 sacks. Much has been made about the Packers' secondary and rightly so, but Matthews' pass rushing makes its job a lot easier. The second-year player can dominate a game and with the injuries to the Steelers' offensive line, he could be in line for a big night.

Greg Jennings: Jennings tied his career high this season with 12 touchdown receptions. He enters the Super Bowl in fine form, catching eight passes in both the divisional round win over the Falcons and the conference title victory against the Bears.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Troy Polamalu: He's perhaps the best safety in football and his seven interceptions in 14 regular-season games help back that up. His impact is felt in stopping the run too as he's normally throwing his body in on every running play. On a defense of stars, he shines the brightest.

Ben Roethlisberger: Can you believe he could win his third Super Bowl before turning 29? However, he has never been game MVP. Big Ben came back from a four-game suspension to throw 17 touchdowns and only five interceptions. In a tight game, Roethlisberger has shown the uncanny ability to find improbable ways to win.

Rashard Mendenhall: He's perhaps the forgotten man in the Steelers offensive attack. He quietly ran for almost 1,300 yards in the regular season and then dominated the Jets in the AFC Championship Game, running for 121 yards and a touchdown. With the Steelers' renewed focus on the ground (Mendenhall has carried the ball 20 and 27 times the past two games), he makes an interesting choice for Super XLV MVP.