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.

Mendenhall in Big Trouble if Pouncey can't go

Will Rodgers be celebrating in
two weeks, we wonder

Rashard Mendenhall, coming off one of the biggest games of his career could be in a world of hurt if his center Maurkice Pouncey can't go in the Super Bowl.  BJ Raji is a monster that will eat up any backup center in the NFL.  This will now lead to spending one of your guards on an every down double team to stop Raji, which will leave a very good Green Bay Packer defense with a huge advantage.  This makes the Packers a clear favorite in this game.  The x factor will be Aaron Rodgers, who in my eyes historically does not win these big games and even with a good size lead he comes out with a flat second half, leaving his defense to do the dirty work, which have been more than up to the task.  Problem is you have Ben Roethlisberger on the other side, who has a lot of experience in big games and is a proven winner.  It should be a good game nonetheless.