The Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers each have storied histories, yet have never met in the NFL's biggest game. That will all change on Feb. 6 in Dallas as the Steel Curtain battles the Pack in the Super Bowl.
The Packers made it by running the gauntlet, performing best with their back against the wall. As the six-seed in the NFC, Green Bay never hosted a home game, instead hitting the road three-straight weeks against some of the NFC's toughest competition. Each week, the Packers shined, leaving the Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons and Chicago Bears in their wake.
The Steelers road to the Super Bowl was easier, by comparison, but still filled with perils. As the two-seed in the AFC, Pittsburgh never had to leave the friendly confines of Heinz Field, using its first-round bye to rest and get healthy for the grind ahead. A last-minute win over the Baltimore Ravens propelled the Steelers into the AFC Championship, where the New York Jets awaited. Playing for a trip to Dallas, the Steelers jumped out to an early lead over the Jets, only to see it begin to evaporate in the second half as the offense struggled to move. Without scoring a single point in the final two quarters, Pittsburgh still managed to move on as the offense capped the game with a time-killing drive.
The Packers and Steelers hold nine Super Bowl championships in 11 tries between the two of them, with Pittsburgh boasting an all-time record six wins. With names like Lombardi and the Steel Curtain dynasty, each franchise has a strong history, adding to the intrigue in Super Bowl 45.
Will the Steelers take home a Super Bowl for the second time in three years or will the Packers return to glory, winning the big game for the first time since 1996? Tune in on Feb. 6 as the Packers and Steelers hit the field