Packers Win Super Bowl XLV

Green Bay Wins

After 14 years without a Super Bowl and a whole lot of Brett Favre drama, the Lombardi Trophy has finally returned home to Green Bay. The Green Bay Packers beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25 in a game that came down to the last drive. Aaron Rodgers, the Super Bowl MVP, threw for 304 yards and 3 touchdowns despite some major drops by his receiving core. The Packers had to overcome some major injuries in the regular season in order to make it to the Super Bowl, so it was only fitting that they fight through more
injuries in order to win the Super Bowl. During the regular season RB Ryan Grant, TE Jermichael Finley, and LB Nick Barnett were lost for most of the season. During the Super Bowl CB Charles Woodson,WR Donald Driver, and CB Sam Shields all went down in the game, with only Shields returning. But the team continued to fight and maintain the lead that they held all game and now the state of Wisconsin has something to cheer for.

Earning His Belt

Credit has to be given to Packers’ QB Aaron Rodgers for how much he has gone through not only this season but throughout his time as a player in Green Bay. Rodgers had to go through all of the Brett Favre commotion as he patiently waited his turn to play. It isn’t easy replacing a legend, but Rodgers has done it with flying colors and has already matched Favre in Super Bowl rings. But even putting aside Favre, Rodgers had to play through a lot of problems this season. Losing his star running back, Ryan Grant, and red zone target, Jermichael Finley, to season ending injuries could have been enough of an excuse for other quarterbacks to fold, then one of his top recievers, Driver, missed the 2nd half of the Super Bowl. Despite not having a running game, Rodgers continued to throw very effectively as he put the offense on his back. In the Super Bowl they only ran the ball 11 times for 52 yards which means that Rodgers had the bulk of the load and he converted, earning the championship belt that he is known to  celebrate touchdowns with: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESYkXammpZ8

But nobody can forget to mention the squeeze that the Packers’ defense put on Ben Roethlisberger and Pittsburgh Steelers. Winning the turnover battle 3 to 0 can’t hurt in a Super Bowl, and bringing back a pick six doesn’t hurt either. Losing 2 of their best cornerbacks during the 1st half of the game didn’t slow down Clay Mathews, who forced a key fumble on Steelers’ RB Rashard Mendenhall, and the Packer offense as they continued to get to Roethlisberger and force him to hurry up his throws.

Celebrate on State

As I watched this game at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, I knew that if the Packers pulled out the win, there was only one place I could go in order to see a proper championship celebration. Once the clock hit zero and after watching a bit of the celebration on television, I put on my jacket and went outside to the place to be: State Street. Looking on, I saw people pouring out of bars and apartments, running to State Street in green jerseys and cheeseheads, yelling and screaming and jumping around as music blasted and on-lookers took pictures. Seeing everyone celebrate on State reminded me about how important this Packer team is to the entire state of Wisconsin and how involved the community is with the team. After all, who expects to have a successful franchise, in any sport, in Green Bay? But the fans have helped this team stay afloat and have remained loyal to the Packers and Rodgers since he replaced Favre 4 years ago. A celebration like this is something that you would have trouble finding anywhere else in the country because if there is one thing Sconnies can agree on, it’s the Packers.