Column: The Steel Curtain holds

Sunday’s showdown in Dallas between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers will be a test between two closely-matched teams.

The Packers are the favorite by 2.5 points, mainly due to the recent playoff wins by Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and company.

But don’t forget, this is the Steelers’ third Super Bowl appearance in five years. They won the first two and will try to make it three for three Sunday.

Both teams have solidified their place in football lore, winning a combined 17 NFL championships.

Some may say it’s the Hair Bowl (Troy Polamalu vs. Clay Matthews) or the Recession Bowl, but I think it’s going to be a defensive battle as the last three Defensive Players of the Year will be pitted against each other.

Here are my matchups by position and prediction for the game.

Quarterbacks
Both quarterbacks are very disciplined and accurate. Ben Roethlisberger is the proven winner versus Aaron Rodgers — the efficient quarterback. Both quarterbacks are regarded in the Top Five at their position in the NFL.
Advantage — Push

Running Backs
This might be a better matchup if Packers running back Ryan Grant was in the game, so his injury will hurt the Packers’ run game. Pittsburgh halfback Rashard Mendenhall is turning out to be the go-to guy for the Steelers and Mewelde Moore is a good complimentary running back to him. Green Bay running back James Starks is going to need the offensive line to create big holes so that he can create some sparks on the offensive front. Advantage — Steelers

Receivers
If you go down the list and compare the receivers, the Packers would have the advantage. At the tight end spot, the Steelers easily have the lead with Heath Miller as one of Roethlisberger’s safe choices. But it will come down to the star players (Greg Jennings vs. Mike Wallace), the supporting casts. Jennings has the advantage because Rodgers will throw it his way a lot Sunday. Advantage — Packers

Offensive Line
Injuries will hurt any team, even on the offensive line. The big fellas up front need to hold pressure off the quarterback and give him time to see holes in the defense. Steelers’ Maurkice Pouncey is injured and most likely won’t be playing. Chad Clifton is the anchor at the line for Green Bay and will use his 6-foot-5-inch, 320-pound size to block defenders and Rodgers from the blitz. Advantage — Packers

Defensive Line  
BJ Raji will bring the pressure to Roethlisberger, but the Steelers will have as tough a time keeping him back as the Bears did last week. Both run the 3-4 defense, but Raji and Ryan Pickett will do a good job of holding Mendenhall to long runs. Advantage — Packers

Linebackers
The Packers have one of the best linebackers in the league with Clay Matthews and a good sidekick in A.J. Hawk. But no one can deny the depth and experience in this Steelers core. James Harrison had a major play in the Steelers’ last Super Bowl, so don’t be surprised if we see another big play by one of the Big Four (Woodley, Farrior, Timmons and Harrison). Advantage — Steelers

Secondary
Charles Woodson brings experience to the Packers’ secondary and has really helped the young Tramon Williams develop. Troy Polamalu is the key to the Steelers’ secondary and although he is not 100 percent, his being on the field helps that Iron Curtain. Advantage — Steelers

Special Teams
The squads are evenly matched on special teams. But if the game came down to a field goal, you would probably rather have Green Bay kicker Mason Crosby on your team. Neither team has a game-changing returner like a Devin Hester or DeSean Jackson. Advantage — Push

Prediction
You look over who has the advantage and it is pretty much equal. But I see Roethlisberger as the quarterback who is reliable and will get it done. The Steelers’ defense will make major stops in the fourth quarter. A Shaun Suisham field goal will put it out of reach.
The Steelers will earn their seventh Lombardi Trophy.

Score: Steelers 31- Packers 21


E-mail: amsiegal@indiana.edu