Written by Thomas | Thursday, February 3rd, 2011

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ season didn’t start ideally for a Super Bowl-bound team.  Their two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, was suspended the first four games of the 2010 season and they lost right tackle Willie Colon before training camp.

Nonetheless, the Steelers started the season 3-1 both SU and ATS.  They continued to fill their supporters’ sports betting wallets as the season continued with Big Ben under center.  Coming into the Super Bowl the Steelers are 14-4 SU and 12-6 ATS.

As usual, the Steelers survived on a stout defense and a newly-found passing attack with speedster Mike Wallace.  To hoist their third Lombardi Trophy in six years (seventh in franchise history), their defense will have to be able to defend a Green Bay Packers offense that has the potential to explode as an offensive juggernaut.

Pittsburgh Steelers’ Defense

It has been said that championships are won by defense, and the Steelers are the epitome of that statement.  Known for their defense over the last 40 years, there is no doubt the Steel Curtain is the reason for its NFL leading seven Super Bowl victories.

The 2010 NFL season is no different.  During the regular season, the Steelers ranked second in overall defense allowing opponents an average of only 276.8 yards per game.  They were also the top ranked scoring defense and only surrendered an average of 14.5 points per game.  However, they are allowing 21.5 points per game in the playoffs.

As usual, the defense excelled against the run.  Both in the regular season and the playoffs, the Steelers ranked as the top rushing defense.  They have actually kicked it up a notch in two playoff games allowing opposing runners an average of 52.5 yard per game, compared to 62.8 in 16 games in the regular season.

Though their two playoff foes weren’t exactly pass happy teams, the Steelers have seemed to tighten up their passing defense.  After surrendering 214.1 yards per game (12^th) through the air, postseason rival quarterbacks are averaging 155 yards per game.  Looking deeper into the passing numbers you find that the yards per completion is a staggering 8.6 yards.

The Steelers passing game will definitely be tested by a Packers’ wide receiving corp that many believe is the best in the NFL.

Pittsburgh Steelers Offense

Though recent years have shown that the Steelers can win games off Roethlisberger’s arm, they are best known for their hard running attack.  That isn’t any different this season.  The rushing game is led by running back Rashard Mendenhall and averaged 120.2 yards per game (11^th) in the regular season.  The Steelers are averaging less than two yards from that mark during the playoffs.

With such a small amount of games, it isn’t surprising to see that the passing games output has also decreased.  In 16 regular season games, the offense averaged 225.1 yards per game (14^th), while they are only averaging 156.5 yards per game in two playoff games.

The difference has actually been seen in the point production.  The Steelers scored an average of 23.4 points per game in the regular season while averaging 27.5 points in the postseason.

Super Bowl Betting Odds

Odds on betting the Steelers to win on the moneyline can be found from +120 to +130 at various online sportsbooks.

Many bettors were surprised to see the Steelers open as 2.5-point underdogs in the Super Bowl.  With early money coming in on the Green Bay Packers, the Steelers are now 3-point dogs at many sportsbooks.

If you are looking to play the game total, that is also varying at sportsbook and can be found at 44 to 44.5 points.

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