Three Reasons Why Our (Their) Team Will Win Sunday

This week, we've linked up with David Cotey, the Local Editor of the Greenfield Patch for some friendly trash talk and such to build up to Sunday's big Super Bowl.

I'm not sure if David knows how serious we are about football here in Pittsburgh. This is a drinking town with a football problem as many of you may have heard before. We incorporate our love of all things Steelers . My own mother's family broke out the rosaries for prayer. As a child, she remembers kneeling in front of the television during the Terry Bradshaw years.

That said, there are plenty of reasons why the Steelers will win Sunday -- but here are three.

3 Reasons Why the Steelers will Win the Super Bowl:

1. Super Bowl Experience

When you've been to the Super Bowl six times, you know the drill. The pressure, the excitement and what's at stake are all things familiar to your players. Though the Steelers and their fans never take it for granted, they know what comes with the territory. During the last winning Super Bowl, it came down to the last minute -- and the players pulled through, giving audiences around the world a scene that could make any jaw drop.

2. Steel Curtain

Our defense wins games. Remember the drive by Steeler James Harrison in the last Super Bowl? Remember Safety Troy Polamalu literally flying through the air and over other players to tackle a guy? There's a reason why their song is "Renegade" by Styx. The Steel Curtain gets the job done. You can't mess.

3. Coach Mike Tomlin

Our coach is cool, calm and collected. You won't see any headsets flying, (ahem Rex Ryan) you won't see any temper tantrums and you won't see any over the top scenes of drama. He is a beacon of guidance. The calm in the eye of the storm. And he's already made history in the past as a young coach going to the Super Bowl.

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OK Stephanie, I can’t give you any specific examples of Wisconsinites busting out their rosaries, but I’ll bet you a brat that churches around here will see an uptick in attendance come Sunday, with a few extra dollars in the collection plate in an attempt to buy into you-know-who’s good graces.

This is Packers country, where only a historic blizzard could keep the Super Bowl off our minds. Now that we’re (sort of) shoveled out, our focus is back on the big game.

Our Packers flags are flying on our porches, the candles by our shrines to Nitschke, Lombardi and Favre are burning and our beer – yes, we’ve been known to drink a few as well – is taking up every shelf in our refrigerators.

We’re ready, and here’s why we’ll win.

3 Reasons Why the Packers Will Win the Super Bowl:

1. Aaron Rodgers

He’s simply the better of the two quarterbacks, and that’s not even taking into consideration off-the-field perception. (Oh, come on Pittsburgh fans, you know what I’m talking about).  In the playoffs alone, he’s completed 66 of 93 passes for 790 yards and three touchdowns. And he’s rushed for two additional scores. He’s had something to prove since Brett Favre was ushered out the door – heck, maybe even since he slipped in the 2005 draft – and this is his year to prove it.

2. Momentum

It’s hard to argue that of the Super Bowl teams one has more momentum than the other. But the Packers have won essentially five playoff games in a row. They won their final two regular season games, games they had to win in order to make the playoff field. Then they beat Philadelphia and obliterated top-seeded Atlanta on the road before knocking off the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship game, also on the road. Five must-win games, five victories, and three road playoff triumphs. Momentum, Green Bay!

3. Clay Matthews: Hair apparent

Minutes after the Packers fittingly hoist up the Vince Lombardi trophy, Head & Shoulders will be on the phone with two players. Here’s how those calls will go:

“Mr. Polamalu, you’ve been a great spokesperson for our shampoo and your commercials are hilarious. But seriously, giving up 330 passing yards and three touchdowns to Aaron Rodgers in the Super Bowl?!?! Sorry, but we’ve found someone else.”

And that other call?

“Congratulations Mr. Matthews. We’ve had our eye on you and your glorious hair for some time. Your 14 sacks, second in the NFL this season, were impressive, but getting to Big Ben three times today and being such a disruptive force in both the passing and rushing game … please, please, please sign an endorsement deal with us."