ARLINGTON, Texas — It’s said that everything is bigger in Texas, and Super Bowl XLV, which will be played in the biggest stadium in the NFL, has the potential to be the biggest and best spectacle this game has seen.
It features two of the most tradition-rich franchises in the sport in the Steelers, who are vying for their record seventh Super Bowl title, and the Packers, whose iconic former coach Vince Lombardi has the game’s trophy named after him.
Quarterbacks Ben Roethlisberger and Aaron Rodgers are stars, and both teams have defensive playmakers who can blow up the game in Troy Polamalu and Clay Matthews Jr.
Here’s how The Post sees the game breaking down:
STEELERS PASS OFFENSE vs. PACKERS PASS DEFENSE
Though Ben Roethlisberger doesn’t win many style points, he wins a lot of games because he has the gift of making the big play at the right time. Roethlisberger, who already has won two Super Bowls, has some dangerous targets in Mike Wallace (10 TDs) and tough veteran Hines Ward, a former Super Bowl MVP. Roethlisberger likes to throw to TE Heath Miller, and he’s unafraid to tuck the ball and run. The Packers must find a way to contend with his scrambling ability and strength in the pocket. They will counter with a formidable secondary that includes veteran CB Charles Woodson and young CB Tramon Williams, who led the team with six INTs in the regular season and has three more in the postseason. The emergence of CB Sam Shields, who has two INTs in the playoffs, allows Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers to move Woodson to nickel and be creative with him in blitz packages. Safety Nick Collins also is a playmaker on the back end, but he’s vulnerable to giving up the big play when he takes chances and bad angles. Edge: Steelers
PACKERS PASS OFFENSE vs. STEELERS PASS DEFENSE
Aaron Rodgers has been unstoppable in the postseason (66-of-93, 71 percent, 790 yards, six TDs, two INTs, 109.2 rating in three games). WR Greg Jennings, who has 17 catches for 239 yards in the postseason, is his favorite target. Keep an eye on WR Donald Driver, who missed Thursday’s and Friday’s practices with a “tweaked” quadriceps. The Packers are relatively deep at receiver, though, with Jordy Nelson and James Jones. Rodgers also is a threat to run the ball. The Steelers’ defensive backfield is led by safety Troy Polamalu, the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year who had seven INTs this season. Ike Taylor is the team’s best cover corner. CB Ryan McFadden and safety Ryan Clark could be vulnerable. Edge: Packers
STEELERS RUN OFFENSE vs. PACKERS RUN DEFENSE
Rashard Mendenhall is a grinder who averaged just 3.9 yards per attempt in getting 1,273 yards this season, but he ripped through the Jets in the AFC title game to the tune of 121 yards. He finishes off his runs very well and will test the interior of the Green Bay defense, led by linebackers A.J. Hawk and Desmond Bishop plus the run-plugging prowess of the hard-to-move B.J. Raji. The Packers do not dominate in this area, allowing 114.9 yards per game, but when they grab early leads, as they have in the playoffs, it brings that number way down.
Edge: Packers
PACKERS RUN OFFENSE vs. STEELERS RUN DEFENSE
Rookie James Starks had 101 rushing yards in the regular season and has 263 yards in the playoffs to somewhat balance out the Green Bay attack. Starks has a nice combination of size and quickness but no one runs much, if at all, on Pittsburgh. With three linebackers — Lawrence Timmons, James Farrior and James Harrison — all topping 100 tackles, the Steelers are virtually impenetrable on the ground, allowing 62.8 yards per game during the season and 52.5 yards in the postseason. For Packers to move it, they will have to spread ’em out and run out of shotgun.
Edge: Steelers
SPECIAL TEAMS
Williams is a solid punt returner for the Packers but their kickoff return game with Nelson and the speedy Shields is fairly ordinary. Antonio Brown has handled both jobs for the Steelers, and he’s got an 89-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Rookie Emmanuel Sanders is now the main factor on kickoffs, averaging 25 yards. Injuries have cut into the Packers’ depth and hurt on coverage units. Edge: Steelers
KICKING GAME
Kicker Shaun Suisham, who joined the Steelers in midseason, was 14-of-15 on field goals in the regular season and 2-of-3 in the postseason. Steelers punter Jeremy Kapinos was just OK in the regular season, averaging 41.1 yards gross and 32.3 yards net, but has stepped up his game in the playoffs, averaging 46.4 yards gross and 35 yards net. Packers kicker Mason Crosby was 22-of-28 in the regular season on field goals and is 2-of-3 in the playoffs. Packers punter Tim Masthay averaged 43.9 yards gross and 37.6 yards net in the regular season and 40 and 33.9 in the postseason. Edge: Even
INTANGIBLES
Super Bowl experience could be the most significant factor in the game, considering how much more than Steelers have than the Packers. The Steelers have 14 starters who have won a Super Bowl, 10 players with two rings and 25 players who have played in at least one Super Bowl. The Packers have two players on their roster with Super Bowl experience — Woodson and defensive end Ryan Pickett — and both played on losing teams. Edge: Steelers
COACHING
Mike Tomlin already is the youngest coach to win a Super Bowl. His team plays with intensity and emotion, Tomlin’s two greatest attributes. Mike McCarthy is a wonderful play-caller, has put together a high-octane passing attack and has a team that plays with great togetherness. Take your pick with Pittsburgh’s Dick LeBeau and the Packers’ Capers, two of the best defensive coordinators in the league and masterminds of the 3-4 front and zone blitz.
Edge: Steelers
PAUL’S PREDICTION
Hard to imagine one team surging too far in front of the other. Despite the top two scoring defenses in the NFL, these quarterbacks won’t be held down forever because they are both too talented. Rodgers has a slight edge in personnel and the superior offensive line.
Packers, 27-23
CANNIZZARO’S CALL
Though both teams have terrific defenses, the high emotions that go with the Super Bowl sometimes lead to unlikely high-scoring games. Both offenses will rip off big plays, but in the end Roethlisberger’s uncanny ability to perform at his best in the clutch will be the difference.
Steelers, 34-27