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STATS NFL Game Notes
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Green Bay Packers
Sunday, February 6, 2011 – Super Bowl 45
As much as the 2010 regular season produced some unpredictable results in the NFL, the
2010 postseason has truly been impossible to predict. Visiting teams and lower seeds
have won regularly, and point totals are the highest in a postseason in years.
NFL League-Wide Numbers, 2010 Postseason






Road Teams: 6-4 record
T-most road wins ever in a playoff season (2005)
#6 seeds are 5-1
GB: 2nd #6 seed to reach Super Bowl (2005 Pit)
49.4 combined points per game
Highest-scoring postseason since 2002
Of the 42 teams who have gone into the playoffs as No. 6 seeds since 1990, 40 did not
reach the Super Bowl. This season’s Packers and the Steelers of five years ago are the
two who defied logic and reached the league’s ultimate game.
NFL’s #6 Seeds, 1990-2010
-----
26 lost in wild-card round
11 lost in divisional round
3 lost in conference championship game
2 reached Super Bowl – 2005 Pit (won) & 2010 GB
The 2005 Steelers and 2010 Packers are the only teams ever to defeat the No. 1, No. 2
and No. 3 seeds in their own conference en route to the Super Bowl.
With a 10-6 regular-season record, the Packers are the fifth team to win 10 games or
fewer in a 16-game season, then go on to the Super Bowl. Three of those five matched up
with the Steelers for the Lombardi Trophy.
Teams w/10 or Fewer Reg-Season Wins Who Reached Super Bowl
(16-game seasons only; SB result listed)
1979
1988
2007
2008
2010
LA Rams
49ers
Giants
Cardinals
Packers
9-7
10-6
10-6
9-7
10-6
(lost
(beat
(beat
(lost
(will
to Pit)
Cin)
NE)
to Pit)
face Pit)
Copyright 2011 STATS LLC
STATS NFL Game Notes
Page 2
Similarly, only three teams – including the 2010 Packers – have reached the Super Bowl
after starting their season 8-6. On each occasion the opponent has been the team from
Pittsburgh.
Teams Reaching Super Bowl After Starting 8-6
1979 LA Rams
2008 Cardinals
2010 Packers
Started
8-6
8-6
8-6
Finished
9-7
9-7
10-6
SB Result
Lost to Pit
Lost to Pit
Will Face Pit
The Steelers, conversely, enter the Super Bowl in a somewhat familiar position as the
AFC’s No. 2 seed. They’ve now reached the Super Bowl on four of the five occasions on
which they’ve been in that position.
Steelers as #2 Seed in Postseason (seeding began in 1975)
1979
1995
1997
2008
2010
–
–
–
–
–
Won Super Bowl 14
Lost Super Bowl 30
Lost AFC Championship game
Won Super Bowl 43
Reached Super Bowl 45
The Steelers have now reached the Super Bowl in four different decades; only the
Raiders can also make the claim.
Teams Reaching Super Bowl in 4 Different Decades
Steelers:
Raiders:
1970s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s
1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 2000s
The Packers will join a group of teams that have gone to the ultimate game in three
different decades.
For just the fourth time in the last three decades, neither conference’s top seed will play
in the Super Bowl. Both the Packers and Steelers have played in such a Super Bowl
previously.
1981-2010 Seasons – Super Bowls With No #1 Seed
1992
1997
2008
2010
(SB
(SB
(SB
(SB
27):
32):
43):
45):
#2
#4
#2
#2
Dal
Den
Pit
Pit
def
def
def
vs.
#4
#2
#4
#6
Buf
GB
Arz
GB
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STATS NFL Game Notes
Page 3
The Steelers, who joined the NFL in 1933, will be the newer franchise taking part in
Super Bowl 45. The game will match two of the oldest franchises in the NFL.
Oldest NFL Franchises – Listed by 1st Season
(listed by team’s current team name)
1920
1921
1925
1930
1932
1933
–
–
–
–
–
–
Bears & Cardinals
Packers
Giants
Lions
Redskins
Eagles & Steelers
All-time, no franchise has won more league titles than Green Bay. And no team has won
the Super Bowl more than the Steelers.
Most NFL Championships – All-Time
(includes Super Bowls, and pre-SB era, AFL & NFL titles)
Packers
Bears
Giants
12
9
7
Most Super Bowls Won – All-Time
Steelers
49ers
Cowboys
5 teams with
6
5
5
3 (incl. Packers)
Both teams rank among the all-time leaders in postseason games won.
Most Postseason Games Won – All-Time
Steelers
Cowboys
Packers
49ers
Raiders
33
33
25
25
25
The Steelers will tie the Cowboys for the most Super Bowl appearances all-time with
eight.
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STATS NFL Game Notes
Page 4
With Pittsburgh having won six Super Bowls and Green Bay three, an unprecedented
nine Super Bowl wins will be on the field in SB 45.
Most Previous SB Wins by Teams Playing in Super Bowl
9
8
Pit 6, GB 3 (SB 45, 2010 season)
Dal 4, Pit 4 (SB 30, 1995 season)
As far as the current rosters of the Steelers and Packers go, there is a huge disparity in
Super Bowl experience.
Super Bowl Experience – Pit & GB Current 53-Man Rosters
Steelers
Packers
SBs Played
38
2 *
SBs Won
38
0
* Ryan Pickett lost SB 36 (’01 season) w/StL; Charles
Woodson lost SB 37 (’02 season) w/Oak
All 38 games of that Pittsburgh Super Bowl experience came with the Steelers, in the
team’s last two SB appearances.
Steelers’ Current Roster – SB Games Played
-- 13 players played in SB 40 and SB 43 (2005 & 2008 seasons)
-- 2 players played in SB 40 only
-- 10 players played in SB 43 only
The rivalry between the Steelers and Packers dates back 77 years, to the Steelers’
inaugural season of 1933. Over the years, the head-to-head matchups have been
dominated in long stretches by one team or the other.
Steelers vs. Packers Head-to-Head Wins
(all games in regular season)
1933-1946:
1947-1954:
1957-1970:
1975-2009:
---------TOTAL
9-0 GB
6-1 Pit
6-1 GB
7-2 Pit
-------18-14 GB
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STATS NFL Game Notes
Page 5
It’s a good bet that the most exciting of the first 32 matchups between the two storied
franchises was the most recent one – a thrilling 37-36 Pittsburgh win at Heinz Field in
Week 15 2009.
Steelers 37, Packers 36 – December 20, 2009 @ Pittsburgh










4 lead changes in final 8:00
Roethlisberger 19-yd TD pass to Wallace with 0:00 remaining
Roethlisberger 503 pass yds (198 in 4th qtr)
Steelers’ only 500-yd passing game all-time
Rodgers 383 pass yds
3 pass TD, 1 rush TD
886 pass yds by Roethlisberger/Rodgers combined
4th most ever by opposing QBs
Ward 126 rec yds, Miller & Jennings 118 yds each
Wallace – 2 rec, both TD (60 & 19 yds)
The game is one of only four all-time in which both QBs threw for 350 or more yards
with three-plus TD passes and no interceptions. And, Green Bay’s 36 points are the most
the Steelers have ever allowed in a win.
Steelers All-Time – Most Points Allowed in a Win
12/20/09 – Won vs. GB, 37-36
10/07/79 – Won vs. Cle, 51-35
A win for Mike McCarthy and Green Bay over the Steelers would make the Packers the
third franchise to win the Super Bowl under three different head coaches. The Steelers
are already on the list.
Franchises Winning SB Under 3 Different Head Coaches
Dal: Landry (SB 6 & 12), Johnson (SB 27 & 28), Switzer (SB 30)
Pit: Noll (SB 9, 10, 13, 14), Cowher (SB 40), Tomlin (SB 43)
 Packers: Lombardi won SB 1 & 2, Holmgren won SB 31
It doesn’t hurt the storylines that McCarthy is a Pittsburgh native. He’ll become just the
fourth head coach in a Super Bowl to face a team from his home state.
SBs All-Time – Coaches Facing Teams From Their Home State
Coach, Team
John Madden, 1976 Oak
Dick Vermeil, 1980 Phi
George Seifert, 1994 SF
Mike McCarthy, 2010 GB
SB/Opp
SB 11 vs.
SB 15 vs.
SB 29 vs.
SB 45 vs.
Min
Oak
SD
Pit
Copyright 2011 STATS LLC
Birthplace
Austin, MN
Calistoga, CA
San Francisco, CA
Pittsburgh, PA
STATS NFL Game Notes
Page 6
This will be just the fifth occasion ever on which the head coach in a Super Bowl has yet
to turn 40. It will be the third time that the coaching youngster is a Steeler, and the second
time that his name is Mike Tomlin.
Youngest Super Bowl Head Coaches – All-Time (age in years & days)
Coach, Team
Mike Tomlin, 2008 Pit
Bill Cowher, 1995 Pit
Mike Tomlin, 2010 Pit
Don Shula, 1968 Bal Colts
Jon Gruden, 2002 TB
SB/Opp
SB 43 vs. Arz (won)
SB 30 vs. Dal (lost)
SB 45 vs. GB
SB 3 vs. NYJ (lost)
SB 37 vs. Oak (won)
Age
36, 323
38, 265
38, 328
39, 8
39, 162
Thus Tomlin has a chance to win his second Super Bowl at a younger age than any other
head coach has won a first Lombardi Trophy.
Tomlin will finish his fourth NFL season with 48 or 49 wins, including postseason. Only
one coach in history has put together more victories in his first four years.
Most Coaching Wins in 1st 4 Seasons of Career – Reg & Post
George Seifert, 1989-1992 SF
Mike Tomlin, 2007-2010 Pit
Chuck Knox, 1973-1976 LA Rams
Joe Gibbs, 1981-1984 Wsh
Bill Cowher, 1992-1995 Pit
57
48 (entering SB 45)
47
47
46
The Super Bowl will be just the fourth ever – and the first in 28 years – to feature the
NFL’s top two teams in regular-season scoring defense.
SBs All-Time Matching #1 and #2 Reg-Season Scoring Defenses
SB
SB
SB
SB
4 (1969)
8 (1973)
17 (1982)
45 (2010)
#1 Scoring Def
Vikings
Dolphins
Redskins
Steelers
#2 Scoring Def
Chiefs
Vikings
Dolphins
Packers
Winner
KC, 23-7
Mia, 24-7
Wsh, 27-17
???
There are several defensive categories in which both teams were impressive in the regular
year.
Steelers & Packers – 2010 Reg-Season Defensive Ranks
Opp Points/Gm
Opp Total Yds/Gm
Opp Passer Rating
Sacks
1st
2nd
2nd
1st
Pit
(14.5)
(276.8)
(73.1)
(48)
2nd
5th
1st
t-2nd
Copyright 2011 STATS LLC
GB
(15.0)
(309.1)
(67.2)
(47)
STATS NFL Game Notes
Page 7
There’s been more good defense from both Pittsburgh and Green Bay in the postseason –
and thus large ball-control advantages for both teams.
Pit & GB in 2010 Postseason – Own vs Opp Differentials
(2 games for Pit, 3 for GB)
Total Plays
Total Yards
1st Downs
3rd-Down Pct
TOP/Gm
Pit
+23
+135
+15
+13.5
+9:08
GB
+21
+260
+21
+25.0
+9:36
Both teams have won two close games in this postseason, and both have come up with
critical defensive stops to secure those wins.
Steelers & Packers – Key Defensive Stands This Postseason
Pit - 2 stops on 4th down
-- Div vs. Bal: Houshmandzadeh dropped pass w/1:03 remaining
-- AFC Title Gm vs. NYJ: Stopped Tomlinson at 1-yard line w/7:44
remaining
GB – 2 INT in final 0:40 of 4th qtr, leading by 7 or fewer
-- Wild Card @ Phi: T.Williams INT vs. Vick in end zone
-- NFC Title Gm @ Chi: Shields INT vs. Hanie at GB 12-yd line
For the Packers’ defense in the team’s three playoffs games, some of its numbers are in
line with what the team did during the regular season. The rush defense, a weak point for
GB all year, has been surprisingly effective.
Packers’ Defense, 2010 – Regular Season vs. Playoffs
Reg Season (NFL rank)
Opp Points/Gm
15.0 (2nd)
Opp Passer Rating
67.2 (1st)
Sacks/Game
2.9 (t-2nd)
Takeaways/Gm
2.0 (6th)
Opp Yards/Rush
4.7 (28th)
Opp Rush Yds/Gm
114.9 (18th)
Playoffs
17.0
64.0
3.3 (10 total)
2.7 (8 total)
3.5
69.7
In the regular season, Green Bay allowed 23 rushes of 15 yards or more. In the
postseason, the Packers have not allowed a single rush of at least 15 yards, in 59
opponent attempts. Dom Capers’ defense has held all three postseason opponents under
90 rush yards, after Green Bay held only three of 16 opponents under 90 rushing yards in
the regular season.
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STATS NFL Game Notes
Page 8
That Packers defense has returned interceptions for touchdowns in consecutive games.
Packers’ Defense – INT Returns for TD in Postseason
Last 2 Games:
Previous 23 Gms:
2 (T.Williams @ Atl, Raji @ Chi)
1 (Al Harris, 2003 Wild Card vs. Sea)
The last team to have more than two interception TD in a single postseason was the
Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who had four in the 2002 postseason.
Including the interception touchdowns by Tramon Williams and B.J. Raji, the Packers
have gotten touchdowns from nine different players this postseason – one away from
tying for the most by any team in a single playoff year.
Most TD Scorers in a Postseason Year – NFL All-Time
1940
1985
1992
1981
1982
2010
Bears
Patriots
Cowboys
49ers
Dolphins
Packers
10 (all in one game, NFL Championship Gm)
10
10
9
9
9
Four of the nine Packers who have scored postseason TD did not score any in the regular
season – Williams, Raji, Tom Crabtree and James Starks.
The Packers have held double-digit halftime leads in each of their three postseason
games, as they’ve owned the first 30 minutes of each game.
Packers’ 1st-Half Numbers, Own & Opp, 2010 Postseason
Points
Offensive TD
Total Yards
1st Downs
Passer Rating
GB
56
7
698
46
121.0
Opp
17
1
334
21
45.9
Conversely, the Packers have not been great after halftime in the playoffs.
Packers’ Numbers by Half, 2010 Postseason
Points
Point Diff
1st Downs
Total Yards
1st Half
56
+39
46
698
2nd Half
34
0
25
409
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STATS NFL Game Notes
Page 9
For the Steelers, the tradition of defense continues. In 2010 and over the past 10 years,
Pittsburgh has been as tough on defense as any team in the NFL.
Steelers’ Defensive Ranks – 2010 & Since 2001
Opp Points/Gm
Opp Total Yds/Gm
Opp Yards/Rush
Opp Passer Rating
Sacks
Since 2001
1st (17.2)
1st (278.8)
2nd (3.6)
4th (74.9)
1st (449)
2010
1st (14.5)
2nd (276.8)
1st (3.0)
2nd (73.1)
1st (48)
This year’s Steelers were simply the NFL’s fifth-best run-stopping team ever.
Fewest Rush Yards Allowed per Game – Reg Seasons All-Time
1942
1944
2000
2006
2010
Bears
Eagles
Ravens
Vikings
Steelers
47.2
55.8
60.6
61.6
62.8
The Steelers have not allowed a rush of 25 or more yards all season, in a total of 373
opponent attempts. Stretching back to last season, it’s 472 regular-season and
postseason runs vs. the Steelers without a gain of 25-plus yards; the last was by
Cleveland’s Joshua Cribbs on December 10, 2009 (37 yards).
The Steelers were almost done in by giveaway points in the first half of their divisional
playoff vs. Baltimore. In the six quarters since, Pittsburgh has been the team scoring off
turnovers.
Steelers – Takeaway Pts/Giveaway Pts, 2010 Postseason
st
1 Half vs. Bal
Last 6 Qtrs
Takeaway Pts
0
24
Giveaway Pts
14
0
It’s probably no accident that the two teams still standing were among the best in the
league in turnover differential in the regular season.
Best Turnover Differential, 2010 Regular Season
Patriots
Steelers
Falcons
Packers
+28
+17
+14
+10
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STATS NFL Game Notes
Page 10
It was very much in character when the Steelers outscored the Jets 17-3 in the second
quarter of the AFC Championship game. The Steelers were a dominant second-quarter
team all season.
Best Point Diff by Teams in Any Quarter, 2010 Reg Season
Steelers in 2nd Qtr
Falcons in 2nd Qtr
Saints in 1st Qtr
Chargers in 3rd Qtr
Packers in 3rd Qtr
+106 (148-42)
+93
+79
+76
+74
And while the Steelers are known for their defense, it’s worth noting that Pittsburgh has
scored at least 20 points in every playoff game the team has played since the ’02 season.
Playoffs All-Time – Most Consecutive Games Scoring 20+ Pts
Steelers, 2002-2010 seasons
Cowboys, 1992-1996 seasons
Packers, 1995-2001 seasons
14 games (active streak)
12 games
11 games
The Steelers actually have several impressive postseason streaks going.
Steelers – Current Streaks in Postseason Games






Scored 20+ points in 14 straight games
longest streak all-time
Def: 28 straight games with a sack
2nd longest streak by any team since 1970 (NE 32 games)
Def: 12 straight games with 2+ sacks
t-2nd longest streak by any team since ’70 (Wsh 13 gms)
More recently, the Steelers have won five straight playoff games – thanks largely to their
takeaways.
Steelers’ Numbers, Own & Opp – Last 5 Playoff Games
Wins
Points/Gm
Rush Yds/Gm
Takeaways
 Points Off
Pit
5
28.0
102.4
12
41
Opp
0
20.8
45.2
6
14
Copyright 2011 STATS LLC
STATS NFL Game Notes
Page 11
The two starting quarterbacks for Super Bowl 45, Ben Roethlisberger and Aaron
Rodgers, boast some of the best numbers in league postseason history. Big Ben is one of
the top postseason winners, while Rodgers’ passing numbers are nearly off the charts.
Highest Career Postseason Win Pct, 1950-2010, Min 8 Starts
(34 QBs have made 8+ postseason starts since ’50)
Bart Starr
Ben Roethlisberger
Jim Plunkett
Johnny Unitas
Joe Theismann
.900
.833
.800
.750
.750
(9-1)
(10-2)
(8-2)
(6-2)
(6-2)
A.Rodgers Career Postseason Numbers, with All-Time Ranks
(ranks based on minimum 100 att; official minimum is 150 att)
Comp Pct
Yards/Att
TD Pct
Rating
69.6
8.99
7.4
113.0
2nd (Erik Kramer 70.0)
2nd (Jeff Hostetler 8.99)
1st
1st
Rodgers needs 15 more attempts to qualify among the official career leaders in
postseason percentage and ratio stats.
For what it’s worth, the two QBs have dramatically different levels of success when
facing the opposite conference. The passing numbers are similar – but the won-lost
records are not.
B.Roethlisberger & A.Rodgers – Career vs. Opposite Conference
(Roethlisberger numbers include Super Bowls)
Comp Pct
Yards/Att
TD/INT
Rating
W-L
Roethlisberger vs. NFC
60.9
8.26
34/20
91.7
21-6
Rodgers vs. AFC
58.4
7.63
18/7
90.2
5-6 (as starter)
Both QBs have taken a ton of punishment in the last three years.
Most Times Sacked, 2008-2010 Regular & Postseason
Ben Roethlisberger
Aaron Rodgers
Joe Flacco
Matt Cassel
David Garrard
144
125
121
118
117
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STATS NFL Game Notes
Page 12
It’s hard to fathom that Big Ben can get sacked as frequently as he does, yet he still wins
so many games.
B.Roethlisberger Numbers, 2008-2010, Reg & Post
Times Sacked:
Wins:
Win Pct:
144 – most in NFL
35 – t-3rd most in NFL
.729 – highest in NFL (min 15 starts)
Both Roethlisberger and Rodgers won their conference championship games despite
putting up less-than-stellar passing stats.
B.Roethlisberger & A.Rodgers – Rating in 2010 Conf Title Game
35.5 – 5th lowest in any career win *
55.4 – lowest in any career win *
Roethlisberger:
Rodgers:
* regular season or playoffs
It wasn’t the first time Big Ben won a big game despite not playing well. It was a similar
script that he followed in Super Bowl 40 vs. Seattle.
Lowest Passer Rating by Winning QB – Conf Title Games/Super Bowls
(Super Bowl era; starting QBs with minimum 15 attempts)
Ron Jaworski, Phi, 1980 NFC Title Gm vs. Dal
David Woodley, Mia, 1982 AFC Title Gm vs. NYJ
Ben Roethlisberger, Pit, SB 40 vs. Sea (2005)
Jim Kelly, Buf, 1991 AFC Title Gm vs. Den
Ben Roethlisberger, Pit, 2010 AFC Title Gm vs. NYJ
12.3
15.5
22.6
31.6
35.5
Roethlisberger helped make up for his subpar day throwing the ball with two critical runs
in the game – a 12-yard carry on third-and-12 to set up Pittsburgh’s first touchdown, and
a two-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Overall, he ran for four first downs in the
game.
Roethlisberger’s opposite number has some impressive rushing numbers this season as
well.
A.Rodgers Rushing Numbers, 2010 Regular Season & Playoffs
(with NFL ranks among QB)
Rushes
Rush Yards
Rush 1st Downs
Rush TD
76
412
28
6
2nd (M.Vick 108)
2nd (M.Vick 708)
t-3rd
t-2nd (leads GB this season)
Copyright 2011 STATS LLC
STATS NFL Game Notes
Page 13
Both Roethlisberger and Rodgers hit quite a few big gainers during the regular season.
Rodgers has kept up the pace in the playoffs, while Big Ben has not.
B.Roethlisberger & A.Rodgers – Completions 20+ Yds, 2010 Season
Roethlisberger
Rodgers
Reg Season (rank)
52 (t-6th)
54 (4th)
Playoffs
4 in 2 gms
15 in 3 gms (7 @ Atl, 7 @ Chi)
It’s worth noting that overall this season (regular season and playoffs), Roethlisberger’s
completed passes traveled farther downfield than any other QB’s.
Most Air Yards per Completion, 2010 Regular & Postseason
(minimum 200 completions)
Ben Roethlisberger, Pit
Kyle Orton, Den
Eli Manning, NYG
Michael Vick, Phi
Mark Sanchez, NYJ
7.3
7.1
7.0
6.7
6.7
Both quarterbacks should note: the defense each will face in the Super Bowl is pretty
stingy against deep passes.
Lowest Passer Rating Allowed, Throws of 21+ Air Yds, 2010
(regular season & playoffs)
Chargers
Steelers
Jets
Packers
Panthers
34.2
41.1 (2 TD, 6 INT)
41.4
45.4 (5 TD, 12 INT)
52.9
The season numbers suggest that Ben is far less effective when he throws on the run as
opposed to when he can stay in pocket.
B.Roethlisberger Passing in & out of Pocket, 2010
(regular season & playoffs)
Comp Pct
Yards/Att
TD/INT
Rating
In Pocket
62.9
8.31
19/6
99.0
Outside Pocket
48.1
6.44
0/1
61.0
Copyright 2011 STATS LLC
STATS NFL Game Notes
Page 14
A win in Super Bowl 45 would make Roethlisberger the fifth QB to own three Super
Bowl victories. He would be just the second to win three before turning 29.
QBs w/3+ SB Wins – Age on Day of 3rd Win (age in years and days)
Tom Brady
Troy Aikman
Terry Bradshaw
Joe Montana
27,
29,
30,
32,
187
68
141
225
(SB
(SB
(SB
(SB
39,
30,
13,
23,
2004
1995
1978
1988
season)
season)
season)
season)
 Roethlisberger: 28 years, 341 days as of 2/06/11
Though he has those two Super Bowl wins to his credit, Roethlisberger played only one
good quarter in the two games. He didn’t throw a TD pass in his first 50 career Super
Bowl passes, but his 51st was the game-winner to Santonio Holmes two years ago.
B.Roethlisberger – Numbers in 2 Career Super Bowls
Comp Pct
Yards/Att
TD/INT
Rating
1st 7 Qtrs
57.1
6.79
0/3
48.2
4th Qtr SB 43
66.7 (6-9)
10.44 (94/9)
1/0
138.2
For reasons well-documented, Roethlisberger did not start the Steelers’ first four games
of 2010, and, following a bye week, made his season debut in Week 6. Only five other
QBs have started a Super Bowl after not starting in the season’s first five weeks.
Starting QBs in SB Who Did Not Start in 1st 5 Weeks of Reg Season
(with week of 1st start)
Terry Bradshaw, 1974 Pit
Vince Ferragamo, 1979 LA Rams
Jim Plunkett, 1980 Oak
Jeff Hostetler, 1990 NYG
Trent Dilfer, 2000 Bal
Ben Roethlisberger, 2010 Pit
Week
Week
Week
Week
Week
Week
7
12
6
16
9
6
In his regular-season career, Big Ben ranks fifth in career yards per pass attempt.
Highest Career Yards per Attempt, Regular Season All-Time
(minimum 1500 attempts)
Otto Graham
Sid Luckman
Norm Van Brocklin
Tony Romo
Ben Roethlisberger
8.63
8.42
8.16
8.04
8.04
Copyright 2011 STATS LLC
STATS NFL Game Notes
Page 15
Aaron Rodgers can boast of some great regular-season numbers in his own right.
A.Rodgers Career Reg-Season Numbers, With NFL Ranks
(ranks based on minimum 1500 attempts)
Comp Pct
Yards/Att
TD/INT Ratio
Rating
6th
9th
1st
1st
64.4
7.90
2.72
98.4
In the first half of his three games this postseason, Rodgers has been otherworldly,
completing more than three quarters of his throws.
A.Rodgers by Half, 2010 Postseason
Comp Pct
Yards/Att
Pass Yards
TD/INT
Rating
Times Sacked
Rush Yards
1st Half
75.9
9.28
501
4/1
121.0
1
50
2nd Half
64.1
7.41
289
2/1
92.8
4
6
It’s interesting that in the postseason, Rodgers has connected on a ton of completions of
20 yards or more – but not one as long as 35 yards.
A.Rodgers Completions by Yardage, 2010 Postseason
Less Than 20 Yds
20-34 Yards
35+ Yards
51
15
0 (17 in reg season, 2nd in NFL)
Rodgers has a 97.2 rating over the past three seasons, including playoffs, in outdoor
games. That figure is even higher indoors.
Highest Passer Rating Indoors, 2008-2010 Reg & Post
(minimum 100 attempts)
Aaron Rodgers
David Garrard
Jay Cutler
Kurt Warner
Josh Freeman
111.5
108.5
104.5
103.9
103.1
Ben Roethlisberger has a 96.3 indoor rating in that span, albeit on only 58 attempts.
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STATS NFL Game Notes
Page 16
Donald Driver is the Packers’ all-time receiving leader with 698 career catches. He’ll
erase his name from the list of active players with the most career receptions and no
Super Bowl appearance.
Active Players – Most Career Receptions w/No SB Appearance
(reg-season rec only; players on rosters at season’s end)
Tony Gonzalez
Chad Ochocinco
Donald Driver
Andre Johnson
Jason Witten
1069
751
698
673
617
Including his three postseason games, Greg Jennings has now cracked 1500 receiving
yards for the season. Only three other Packers have ever reached that mark.
Packers All-Time – Most Rec Yards in a Season, Reg & Post
Games
19
19
19
18
16
Robert Brooks, 1995
Antonio Freeman, 1997
Greg Jennings, 2010
Sterling Sharpe, 1993
Antonio Freeman, 1998
Rec Yards
1778
1551
1504
1503
1499
Jennings has 369 receiving yards over the last two postseasons, most in the NFL.
G.Jennings Numbers, 2009-2010 Postseasons, w/NFL Ranks
Receptions
Receiving Yards
Rec 25+ Yards
25
369
4
4th
1st
1st
Coming off back-to-back 100-yard games, Jennings has a couple milestones within reach.
G.Jennings – With 100 Receiving Yards in Super Bowl. . .






Would be 2nd player w/3+ 100—yd rec gms in a postseason year
Larry Fitzgerald 4 in 2008 w/Arz
Would be 5th player w/3+ 100-yd rec games in a row in post.
Last: Larry Fitzgerald, 4 in 2008
Would have 4 career 100-yd rec gms in playoffs, GB record
Currently tied with Robert Brooks & Antonio Freeman, all w/3
Jennings has 239 receiving yards this postseason, without a receiving TD. The most
receiving yards ever by a player in single postseason without catching a TD pass is 317,
by Dallas Clark of the 2006 Colts.
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Page 17
In fact, the breakdown of receiving touchdowns by the Packers’ wide receivers this
postseason is surprising, as Jordy Nelson and James Jones have three between them.
Packers’ WR – Rec TD in Regular Season vs. Playoffs, 2010
Reg Season
16
7
Jennings & Driver
Jones & Nelson
Playoffs
0
3
Nelson was a non-factor in the wild-card game in Philadelphia, but was a big contributor
in the next two contests, catching 12 of the 14 passes thrown his way.
J.Nelson Numbers – 2010 Postseason
Thrown To
1
14
Wild Card @ Phi
Last 2 Games
Rec-Yds
0-0
12-146
Rec TD
0
1
Speaking of non-factors, the Packers’ James Starks ran for all of 101 yards during the
regular season. But Starks is working on the kind of postseason that hasn’t been seen
since Timmy Smith’s run 23 years ago.
Most Rush Yds in Postseason, After Fewer Than 200 in Reg Season
(NFL all-time)
Timmy Smith, 1987 Wsh
James Starks, 2010 GB
Ahmad Bradshaw, 2007 NYG
Otto Graham, 1950 Cle
Zack Crockett, 1995 Ind
342
263 (101 in reg season)
208
169
161
The Packers’ offense has run a total of 95 first-down plays this postseason, and has
handed the ball to Starks on nearly half of them.
J.Starks Rushing by Down, 2010 Postseason
st
1 Down
2nd Down
3rd Down
Att
44
24
2
Yards
157
106
0
In the NFC Championship game at Chicago, Starks gained 71 of his 74 rushing yards on
first down.
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STATS NFL Game Notes
Page 18
Punter Tim Masthay has been a big part of Green Bay’s success in recent weeks. In the
last four games, he’s punted 20 times – and not once did the opponent start an ensuing
drive in Packers territory.
T.Masthay Punting in Last 4 Games, Reg & Post
Punts
Punts Inside 20
Punts Inside 10
Avg Opp Drive Start
20
10
4
Own 19.3
Combining regular season and playoffs, Tramon Williams has an NFL-high nine
interceptions this season. Throwing at him has been a dicey proposition all season.
Passes Thrown at T. Williams, 2010 Regular & Post
Thrown At
Completions
Comp Pct
TD Passes
Interceptions
Passes Defensed
Opp Rating
114
49
43.0
4
9
23
41.4
Packers sack machine Clay Matthews went through something of a lull after
Thanksgiving, but he’s back to tormenting opposing quarterbacks of late.
C.Matthews Sacks in 2010, Regular Season & Playoffs
Pre-Thanksgiving
Thanks. – End December
Since January 1
Games
9
5
4
Sacks
11.5
1
4.5
Team W-L
7-2
2-3
4-0
The Steelers also have some linebackers who can sack the quarterback. LaMarr Woodley
is tied for second in postseason history in career sacks.
Most Sacks by Linebackers, Postseason All-Time
(sacks counted for individual defenders since 1982)
Willie McGinest
LaMarr Woodley
Terrell Suggs
Kevin Greene
Mike Vrabel
16.0
10.0
10.0
8.5
8.0
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Page 19
James Harrison and Woodley rank second and third, respectively, in regular-season sacks
by linebackers since 2008.
Most Sacks by Linebackers, 2008-2010 Regular Seasons
DeMarcus Ware
James Harrison
LaMarr Woodley
Joey Porter
Tamba Hali
46.5
36.5
35.0
31.5
26.0
The game will also feature two of the top ball-hawking safeties of the last three seasons.
Most Interceptions by Safeties, 2008-2010 Regular Seasons
Ed Reed
Nick Collins
Troy Polamalu
Michael Griffin
Brandon Meriweather
20
17
17
12
12
The Steelers’ starting wideouts, Hines Ward and Mike Wallace, have been relatively
quiet this postseason.
Steelers’ Wide Receivers – Rec Yards in 2010 Postseason
Ward & Wallace:
Brown & Sanders:
65
163
Nonetheless, Ward has put together quite a postseason resume.
H.Ward Career Postseason Numbers – With All-Time Ranks
Receptions
Rec Yards
Rec TD
100-Yd Games
5th
9th
t-6th
t-3rd
81
1103
9
5
(2 behind #4 Reggie Wayne)
(64 behind #5 Fred Biletnikoff)
(3 players t-3rd w/10)
(1 behind #2 Michael Irvin)
Among players with at least 2000 receiving yards since 1970, only Bob Hayes tops Mike
Wallace in career yards per reception.
Highest Receiving Avg, 1970-2010, Minimum 2000 Rec Yards
Bob Hayes
Mike Wallace
Flipper Anderson
Willie Gault
Paul Warfield
21.2
20.3
20.1
19.9
19.9
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STATS NFL Game Notes
Page 20
The big plays certainly haven’t happened for Wallace this postseason, however.
M.Wallace Receiving, 2010 Reg & Post
Reg Season:
Postseason:
17 rec of 25+ yds – 2nd in NFL (B.Lloyd 18)
26 rec yds total *
* 20 yds vs Bal, 6 yds vs NYJ – 2 lowest single-gm totals
Including regular season and playoffs, Rashard Mendenhall has 16 rushing TD in 2010 –
most in the history of the Steelers.
Steelers All-Time – Most Rushing TD in a Season, Reg & Post
Rashard Mendenhall, 2010
Jerome Bettis, 2004
Franco Harris, 1976
Franco Harris, 1979
16
15
14
14
Mendenhall looked like he was wearing down as the season went on – prior to his big
effort in the AFC Championship game.
R.Mendenhall Rushing Breakdown, 2010 Reg & Post
Sept-Oct
November
Dec & Div Playoff
AFC Champ. Game
Yds/Rush
4.13
3.90
3.37
4.48
Rush Yds/Gm
86.1
89.8
59.5
121
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