Packers vs Steelers Super Bowl QB Edition: Who has the edge?
By Dominique Wise on January 24, 2011
"Brettcha can't do it like me"
The Facts: Both the Packers and Steelers feature two of the best young premier starting quarterbacks in the NFL. The Packers have Aaron Rogers and the Steelers have Ben Roethlisberger. Roethlisberger has already won 2 Super Bowls (XL, XLIII) at the young age of 28 and Aaron Rodgers is searching for his first Super Bowl ring.
Aaron Rodgers, Matt Flynn, Graham Harrell: Aaron Rodgers was drafted in the first round (24th overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Packers. Rodgers didn’t start until the 2008 season because the legendary Brett Farve was the Packers starting QB, but Rodgers became the full time when Brett Farve announced he was retiring in March of 2008. Rodgers 2008 season made Packers fans forget all about Brett Farve as he threw for 4,038 yards with 28 touchdowns and13 interceptions with a QB rate of 93.8. Rodgers 2009 season was his best season of his career where he threw for 4,434 yards, 30 touchdowns, 7 interceptions anda QB rate of 103.2. Rodgers had a solid 2010 season in which he threw for 3,922 yards with 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions and a QB rate of 101.2.
What a draft steal, getting Rodgers in he mid 20's of the first round!
Matt Flynn was drafted by the Packers in the 7th round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Flynn started in Week 15 of the 2010 season in a game against the Patriots because of an injury to Aaron Rodgers. Flynn completed 24 of 37 passes for 251 yards and three touchdowns in the Packers’ 31-27 loss.
Graham Harrell is undraftedquarterback out of Texas Tech. Harrell was promoted off the practice squad when Aaron Rodgers was ruled out for the Week 15 game in New England.
Ben Roethlisberger, Byron Leftwich, Charlie Batch: Ben Roethlisberger was drafted in by the Steelers in the first round (11th overall) in the 2004 NFL Draft and played college football at Miami University. Roethlisberger has had a marvelous career where he has passed for 22,502 yards with 144 touchdowns and 86 interceptions. Roethlisberger had a good 2010 season despite being suspended for the first four games of the season. He threw for 3,200 yards with 17 touchdowns nd 5 interceptions.
"2 Super Bowl trophies and working on a third and i am still only 28 year old, life is great!"
Byron Leftwich is a solid former first round backup. Leftwich was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars seventh overall in the 2003 NFL Draft and played college football at Marshall. Leftwich played sparingly this past 2010 season.
Charlie Batch is a savvyveteran who was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 1998 NFL Draft. Batch played college football at Eastern Michigan. Batch played in 3 games this past season andstarted twice where he threw for 352 yards with 3 touchdowns and 3 interceptions.
The Edge: So who has the edge at quarterback in this upcoming Super Bowl? Well right now no one is hotter than Aaron Rodgers in this postseason he has thrown for 6 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Rodgers excels and plays his best on turf (just ask the Falcons defense) and this Super Bowl will be played on turf. Rodgers has a quick release which is crucial when playing a blitzing defense. I like this match-up for Rodgers against the Steelers secondary which is their achilles heel. Roethlisberger will play a good game and performs his best on the big stage but in this game I have to go with Rodgers at quarterback, sorry Big Ben.
