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Eric Heiden  Joined: 9/24/2005 Posts: 2,902 Location: Hawaii  
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Who's your pick? I am going with the Steelers. Both teams scored early and often in the first halves of their respective conference championships to get to this point, and both were basically shut down in the second half as well. This will be a tough one to call to say the least!
Pittsburgh boasts the top ranked defense in the NFL this season, with them having the best rush defense and ranking second only to the Baltimore Ravens in pass defense. With Polamalu back in the mix their D will be strengthened even further and will be VERY dangerous. Their offense is reliant on their running game however and they will have a tough time against the Pack. Mendenhall and Mewelde Moore will have to work hard to get yards next week. In order to win this game I think Roethlisberger will need to be very accurate spread the ball around. Hines Ward and Heath Miller will be the usual suspects as their top possession receiver and receiving TE, however I'm looking for them to spread the field and look long for Mike Wallace who is their biggest playmaker on offense. He'll have a rough go at it being covered by either Charles Woodson or Tramon Williams, but I think Wallace is the key to the offense. If he can get open and make some big catches for long gains, it will open up the run game and they can win it.
Green Bay's defense ranked #3 overall in the NFL this season coming in just behind the Steelers in rushing defense at number 2. Their trio of linebackers AJ Hawk, Desmond Bishop and Clay Matthews have wrecked shop all year in helping stop the run game of opposing teams. Their offense has found new life in the playoffs with the emergence of James Starks. The rookie was injured for most of the year but has regained his health, and has rejuvanted the Green Bay running game. The Packers have many weapons on offense with BJackson and Starks running the ball, Pro Bowl WR Greg Jennings and long time Pack receiver Donald Driver. The run game has opened up their offense and Aaron Rodgers has flourished in the process. He's playing with a lot of confidence and it shows. He passes are quick and accurate and he's running the ball really well. I think if he has time and is able to step up in the pocket against the Pittsburgh rush he will give himself the best chance to lead the team to victory. If they don't allow him to get out of the pocket I think there will be problems.
My take on this game... I am leaning heavily towards taking the 2.5 points and backing Pittsburgh. Their defense is phenomenal and if they can put it together for all four quarters I see an outright win for the Steelers. I may make a play on the first half as well, but we shall see. I'm looking for input that could change my mind or strengthen my pick. Let me know what you all think of the game and which way you're betting!
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Nadia Comanesci  Joined: 8/4/2009 Posts: 489 Location: Swami- Town
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got the tip earlier in season from mate about Pittsburgh being right around the mark again... got on at a juicy $8.50 just before x mas. will be a cracker of a game but strongly agree with you Hammmer about taking Pittsburgh to win straight out not because i am already on them but their defense will strangle the Packers. Steelers to win and the unders on total game score. i got under 46.0 when the market came out but i see it into 44.0. GL all hey Hammer  cheers mate i have been tailing a few of your NBA winners for some tidy collects. your record stands up and betters the crooks who try to sell their tips. bloody great work keep it up mate 
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Arnold Palmer Joined: 9/24/2005 Posts: 14,563 Location: Indianapolis
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The Steelers at the odds you can get on the ML make them the best play here. I honestly though this would be much closer to even but the way the Packers dismantled 3 teams on the road to get here I can see why they are the favorites. Pittsburgh is a great defensive team and we saw that a good defensive team like my Bears could keep the big offense of Green Bay in check. The thing is, the Steelers have a more consistent offense than the Bears and will be able to move the ball on Green Bay. I honestly think it stays close but Pittsburgh pulls out the win. I'd take them on the ML over anything right now.  Pittsburgh vs. Green Bay - Money Line All bets are one unit ($50) unless otherwise noted.
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Zinedine Zidane  Joined: 11/3/2009 Posts: 3,438 Location: always coasting..
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Goooooo GB... wanted Driver for the first TD but will take it Nelson.. keep going downtown boys...  ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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Zinedine Zidane Joined: 11/3/2009 Posts: 3,438 Location: always coasting..
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whooh whooh...take that Roths... more...  ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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Barack Obama  Joined: 9/24/2005 Posts: 15,003 Location: Australia
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I've got a mate that's got a $3K win if the Steelers take this game, hoping for his sake they can come back here cos it'll be a nice collect!
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Zinedine Zidane Joined: 11/3/2009 Posts: 3,438 Location: always coasting..
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Bugger that Pete....sick of steelers winning... Jones drop was crucial... the Packer's defence is under some pressure now and they're not getting the amount of possession they had in the first half... when they do it's quality... keep those first tens going boys...  ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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Barack Obama Joined: 9/24/2005 Posts: 15,003 Location: Australia
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hahah I still hope my buddy wins his bet tho  same guy won a big multi bet on the NBA finals for about $4K as well
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Zinedine Zidane Joined: 11/3/2009 Posts: 3,438 Location: always coasting..
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give your buddy a shoulder to cry on Pete... My nails are non-existent... Never seen a team have so little possession but do so much with it... should be three MVP's...Rodgers,Mathews and AJ Hawke...great defence boys under tough coditions with that injury list...   glad the neanderthal didn't get another ring... ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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