Super Bowl Soup

There are tons of storylines floating around in the buildup to the Super Bowl. Let's look at what matters, and what is just media fodder.

Twitter-Gate

First of all, if it involves Twitter, it should not be in any way shape or form related to Watergate.  Second of all, it wasn't a story to begin with.  If you actually read what Nick Barnett and Aaron Rodgers said, it really wasn't all that abrasive.  Nobody said anything all that inflammatory, and the whole team picture thing got resolved anyway.  Plus, Rodgers was the one to lobby for the players on IR to be in the photo.  If twitter is going to derail your team, you'll never make it to the Super Bowl.  So now you see the backbone of an ESPN storyline: smoke and mirrors.

Relevance Meter: Zero

Maurkice Pouncey's Injury

The latest is that Mike Tomlin won't rule him out, but with two major ankle injuries, he likely won't play.  Even if he does, he won't be near 100%.  That means that Doug Legursky will be snapping the ball, calling the line signals, and attempting to handle BJ Raji every play.  Legursky wasn't drafted, was previously cut, and then re-signed by the Steelers.  He is not a guy the Steelers should want the field on Super Sunday, but that's the reality they will–in all probability–face.  Instead of the Pro Bowler Pouncey, the Steelers must start the journeyman Legursky at one of the most pivotal positions on the field.  The fact that the Steelers already have offensive line issues and that the Packers are so strong across their front seven really makes the Pouncey injury devastating.

Relevance Meter: Game-Altering

The Experience Issue

The Steelers simply know this Super Bowl environment better than the Packers, but how much does that matter?  I think the Packers' inexperience may give them a little added anxiety in the buildup to the game, but this is a team that has played some very big games in the last two years.  Last year's matchups against Brett favre's Vikings were some of the most watched football games in history.  Over the past three weeks the Packers won at Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Chicago, with each game's meaning amplified in successive weeks.  Once the ball is kicked and guys start hitting, it will feel natural to the both teams because they're football players and this is what they do.

Relevance Meter: Minor Mental Edge for the Steelers

The Bye Week

Both teams benefit from the bye week, but I think it could have a negative impact for the Packers.  I know they've played one more game than Pittsburgh and need the extra week of rest, but I also think the more time the Packers have to build this game up in their minds, the worse it might be for them.  The Steelers' whole roster (virtually) has been to the Super Bowl at least once, whereas almost no Packers have been there.  The Steelers will have their routine and know exactly how to minimize the distractions and maximize their preparation time.  The Steelers' older defense is probably also enjoying this rest, though I think Clay Matthews, Rodgers, Donald Driver, Charles Woodson, and Chad Clifton will benefit from some down time too.  Rodgers is also renowned for being extremely diligent in his preparation, so the extra week may help him be very sharp.

Relevance Meter: It helps the Steelers a bit in the experience department.

Troy Polamalu wins the Defensive Player of the Year Award

...And Matthews came in second.  Matthews is a man that feeds on disrespect and others doubting him.   Matthews' dad coached him in high school and didn't start him.  He rode the bench at USC for the better part of three years before getting his opportunity.  Then coming into the NFL, other USC linebackers, Brian Cushing and Rey Maualuga, got more press and attention.  Matthews just continues to feed on the what people think he can't do, and with an extra week to rest his jets, he should be ready to go out there, and, as he says, "Prey like an animal."

Relevance Meter: You wouldn't like Clay when he's angry.

--from Adam