Super Bowl XLV

Super Bowl XLV
Game name	Super Bowl XLV
Visiting team	Green Bay Packers
Home team	Pittsburgh Steelers
Date	February 6, 2011
Stadium	Cowboys Stadium
City	Arlington, Texas
Attendance	103,219
Mvp	Aaron Rodgers

Super Bowl XLV was the championship game of the 2010 National Football League season, contested between the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas on February 6, 2011. The Packers defeated the Steelers 31–25 to claim the franchise's fourth Super Bowl title and thirteenth NFL championship overall. The game featured MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers, head coaches Mike McCarthy and Mike Tomlin, and a halftime performance headlined by The Black Eyed Peas with guests Usher and Slash.

Background

The matchup followed rival postseason narratives for the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers, franchises with deep histories including earlier championships under figures such as Vince Lombardi and Chuck Noll. The Packers, led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver Greg Jennings, advanced from the NFC following the 2010 NFC postseason while the Steelers, led by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and wide receiver Hines Ward, emerged from the AFC after victories that echoed past runs by Steelers rosters featuring Troy Polamalu and James Harrison. The game was hosted at Cowboys Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, which had previously staged major events including NCAA Final Four games and UEFA exhibitions. Pre-game coverage included commentators from Fox Sports led by play-by-play announcer Joe Buck and analyst Troy Aikman, with pregame ceremonies involving performers from the National Football League's musical partners and a national anthem rendition by Christina Aguilera.

Road to the Super Bowl

Green Bay's path included a regular season with decisive performances by Rodgers, offensive coordinator Joe Philbin (later Miami Dolphins head coach), and running back Ryan Grant before playoff victories over divisional rivals and a Conference Championship win against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The Packers earned a top seed in the NFC after key divisional games against the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, and Chicago Bears that recalled historic rivalries such as Packers–Bears rivalry. Pittsburgh's route featured a late-season surge coached by Mike Tomlin and defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, highlighted by the return of defensive stalwarts including Troy Polamalu and a playoff run defeating the Baltimore Ravens and New York Jets following regular-season clashes with contenders like the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens. Both teams navigated injuries, roster moves influenced by NFL rules under the Collective Bargaining Agreement and strategies shaped by film study of opponents such as the New York Giants and Seattle Seahawks.

Game summary

The contest began with special teams and defensive adjustments setting the tone, as kick returns and field position influenced early drives involving Packers linemen like Bryan Bulaga and Steelers defenders such as LaMarr Woodley. Aaron Rodgers orchestrated scoring drives featuring targets including Jordy Nelson, James Jones, and tight end Jermichael Finley, while Ben Roethlisberger connected with receivers Hines Ward and Mike Wallace. A pivotal defensive play came when Packers cornerback Tramon Williams intercepted Roethlisberger, shifting momentum toward Green Bay. The Steelers relied on a mix of runs from Mewelde Moore and passes to exploit mismatches but were hampered by turnovers and pressure from Packers linebackers including Clay Matthews III. Special teams and clock management by both head coaches, Mike McCarthy and Mike Tomlin, influenced late-quarter sequences, and key penalties assessed by officials altered field-position battles. Rodgers' late-game leadership and a clutch touchdown drive sealed the victory despite Pittsburgh's attempts to rally.

Scoring summary

- First quarter: Packers touchdown by Aaron Rodgers to Jordy Nelson; Steelers field goal by Shaun Suisham. - Second quarter: Packers touchdown passes including one to James Jones; Steelers answered with a touchdown to Hines Ward. - Third quarter: Steelers narrow the gap with a combination of rushing and passing drives; Packers added a field goal by Mason Crosby. - Fourth quarter: Packers extended lead with a touchdown run and field goal; Steelers scored a late touchdown but failed to overcome the deficit. Key scoring plays featured connections between Rodgers and receivers Greg Jennings and Jermichael Finley, and a defining interception return by Tramon Williams that set up Green Bay points.

Statistics and records

The game set attendance and broadcast benchmarks at Cowboys Stadium and in Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex viewership markets, with Nielsen ratings reflecting nationwide audience figures competing with other major events such as the Academy Awards. Aaron Rodgers earned Super Bowl MVP honors after passing for multiple touchdowns and a passer rating among the highest in Super Bowl history, while Ben Roethlisberger posted strong yardage but was hampered by turnovers. Defensive statistics highlighted tackles by Nick Collins and sacks credited to Packers defenders including Clay Matthews. Special teams figures showed kickoff return attempts and punt averages affecting starting field position. Records tied or approached included franchise postseason milestones for both the Packers and Steelers, single-game Super Bowl passing yard benchmarks set by quarterbacks in comparisons to performances by Tom Brady, Joe Montana, and Peyton Manning.

Aftermath and legacy

The victory reinforced the Packers' modern-era prominence under Aaron Rodgers and coach Mike McCarthy and contributed to legacy discussions alongside Packers icons such as Brett Favre and Vince Lombardi. The Steelers' appearance extended coach Mike Tomlin's record of consecutive winning seasons and fed into future roster decisions involving salary-cap management and draft strategy with figures like Ted Thompson and personnel moves evaluated against payroll constraints governed by the NFL's salary cap. The halftime show prompted debate within music industry commentary involving acts like The Black Eyed Peas and guest artists Usher and Slash, influencing future Super Bowl entertainment bookings. The game's broadcasts, commercials featuring celebrities and brands such as Anheuser-Busch and PepsiCo, and ancillary events in Arlington, Texas left economic and cultural footprints studied by sports economists and media scholars comparing this Super Bowl to landmark games contested by franchises such as the New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers.

Category:National Football League championship games Category:2011 in sports