Super Bowl Breakdown: Steelers have slight edge in dream matchup

Published Feb. 4, 2011 2:15 p.m. ET

foxsports

Feb. 4, 2011

It isn't history or experience that separates the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers enough to give either team a decided edge in Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium.

It's football -- football players making football plays -- that swings the pendulum slightly toward the Steelers.

This year's Super Bowl is a purist's dream matchup. It doesn't require any Texas-sized hype or hyperbole. You could play the game at a high school stadium on a Friday afternoon and it would be just as compelling.

Both teams play tough defense and are so evenly matched that there is no real favorite, even though the Packers are favored by 2.5 points in the betting line.

Ben Roethlisberger, the quarterback in a defensive end's body with a linebacker mentality, gives the Steelers their slight edge.

Roethlisberger made winning plays in his two previous Super Bowls, and he came through in the clutch in the two playoff games the Steelers won this year to reach his third Super Bowl in seven seasons.

I like Big Ben to come through again, and for the Steelers' defense to keep the Packers' passing game in check.

My Super Bowl XLV prediction: Steelers 23, Packers 16.

The quarterbacks -- Roethlisberger vs. Aaron Rodgers, the Packers young start -- represent only one of five key elements in the Fox Sports Detroit Breakdown. Running game, secondary, pass rush and offensive line are the others.

Here is the Breakdown for Super Bowl XLV:

Quarterbacks