Gambler's Corner Roundup

It is time for the allthingpigskin Super Bowl prediction.  Although, I did go 3 for 3 in my first weekend of making picks, I can not promise you anything.  The Packers are giving 2.5 points this Sunday and despite the Steelers being more experienced in this role and usually coming up big in these games and Aaron Rodgers not coming up big in these games, I am going to put my money on the Green Bay Packers.  I feel strange doing it, but there are two main reasons.  The first, which I have mentioned in an earlier post, is that Maurkice Pouncey will be out against one of the best defenses in the league, which will essentially kill the Steelers ability to run.  Second the Steeler secondary will not be able to stick around with the Green Bay receivers, plain and simple.  I don't expect to see the Packers run more the ball on more than 12 downs.  The most running will be done by Aaron Rodgers, who will probably throw for about 265 yards and 2 touchdown but also run for another 45 yards and a score.  Those runs will be big ones most likely, too.  Roethlisberger does usually come up big and I think Polamalu is a top 5 player in the league, but the stars aren't aligning for me on this one.  Take the Packers giving the points in this one.

Troy Polamalu Wins Defensive Player of the Year?

Defensive Player of the year,
Troy Polamalu of the
Pittsburgh Steelers

I am conflicted over this, as much as I love this guy and realize how much he does for his team, I am not sure if I would give him the award this season.  He is definitely the most important difference maker on defense as I have never seen a team lose a guy on defense and their team plays as if they lost their starting quarterback.  In fact, I will go a step further as Ben Roethlisberger missed the first four games this year and they went 3-1 losing a tight game to Baltimore 17-14.  When Polamalu didn't play this year, they went 1-1 and in years past it was a lot worse.  There were a few games this year when he made game saving plays, which I have discussed in the past, especially at the biggest moments of the season.  The Steelers are back in the Super Bowl again.  He was one of the leaders in interceptions, even though, he spends a ton of time around the line of scrimmage to help stop the run or blitz off the edge to add pressure.  Is there more that he could have done though?  No, not really.  This guy is insanely good and deserves the award I was just messing around, nobody impacts a team on the defensive side of the ball like this guy does.  Case closed.