MY SUPER BOWL PREDICTION
BY: Steve Ferguson, OTSL Analyst

Here's my prediction as to who will win the Super Bowl between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers and why?

To me this the Super Bowl has a chance to be the most competitive Super Bowl we may see for a long time. Sure the Giants-Patriots Super Bowl was a great one as was the Colts-Saints one last year.

But here's why this one could be decided at the gun!

In other words this one has a chance to be a historically tremendous game with everything football fans want to see.

Here's why:

*Both teams are excellent defensively (No. #1 versus No. #2)

Pittsburgh has Polamalu, the X-factor on defense who can rip an opposing QB's soul out with his all-around ability and mobility not to mention his uncanny timing and vision to intercept passes and disrupt an offense. Add the intimidating presence of James Harrison and Lamarr Woodley with the savvy of James Farrior and this is a dangerous defense.

Green Bay has Clay Matthews who is a great pass rusher and sack-artist. Add B.J. Raji to the mix, a nose tackle with speed to make great plays and a secondary lead by the venerable Charles Woodson and the speedy cover corners who can tackle very well and this defense is almost as tough to deal with.

*Both teams have extremely mobile quarterbacks who make plays with their legs and throw very accurately on the run. In other words both of them can make incredible plays and find receivers when least expected. Ben Roethlisberger, the 6'5" 245 behemoth Pittsburgh QB who is as strong and tough as Paul Bunyan with legs like tree trunks and a relentless, never-say-die attitude to make plays and escape the pocket. He seems to always come up with a huge play at the right time.

Aaron Rodgers, the coolest customer under pressure in the NFL at the quarterback position for the Green Bay Packers with a laser for a throwing arm and speed to escape from anyone. He, too makes amazing decisions with lightning quick precision and incredible decisiveness. Only Michael Vick has better ability to escape the rush than him!

*Both teams have terrific wide receivers:

*Pittsburgh is led by Hines Ward. Physical, tough and sometimes even dirty but when you add his tenacity and uncanny ability to make big plays and his competitiveness it spells winner. Add Mike Wallace who's nickname should be 60 seconds because it seems that's all he needs to break away and burn you deep as a defender. Don't forget Heath Miller, Roethlisberger's favorite target with his sure hands, strength and speed and this is a dangerous group.

Green Bay doesn't have slouches at this position either. Donald Driver can rival Hines Ward and he's hungry for a championship NOW. They've got James Jones and a couple of other speed demons who make big plays too and they can't be underestimated.

Now in the secondary this is where Green Bay has the edge. If Pittsburgh can't pressure Rogers he may have a field day throwing against this secondary. They can be had and they are usually guilty of interference, holding and generally don't tackle very well. .

Pittsburgh has the edge at the running back spot with Rashard Mendenhall. He has bludgeoned and gashed up everyone including the Jets for almost 130 yards. James Starks of the Packers may be an x-factor (just ask the Atlanta Falcons) but I believe the Steelers will stop him because he won't surprise them the way he did Atlanta. Besides Pittsburgh is great at shutting a running game down (Just ask the Jets the first half of last Sunday's game.).

Who will win? I believe it comes down DIck Labow versus Don Capers.

Because this is Dick Labow's last game and he has been the teacher to Capers who is the student I believe Pittsburgh will win a one or two point game. I believe this game will come down to the last possession much like the Pittsburgh-Arizona Super Bowl.

Pittsburgh's experience will probably offset Green Bay's enthusiasm to win the big game. After all it is hard to go against a team that's won 6 Super Bowls and will be going for their third one in 6 years versus a team that hasn't been to the big dance in a while. If Aaron Rodgers had been there just once before to the Super Bowl I'd go with the Pack.

But with that being said the final score will probably wind up being:

Pittsburgh: 26...........Green Bay 24

Rodgers will have a chance to make his legacy in Green Bay. Unfortunately for the Cheese Heads this is the wrong opponent to try this with. He will have his day but this Sunday probably won't be it despite his best efforts.

Roethlisberger will win his 3rd Super Bowl and get in the conversation of future Hall of Fame quarterbacks with Brady and Manning despite all of his off-the-field transgressions.