SB Nation Seattle - Super Bowl 2011: The Green Bay Packers Are The Champions Of Super Bowl 45https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48997/seattle-fave.png2011-02-07T15:20:43-08:00http://seattle.sbnation.com/rss/stream/17192802011-02-07T15:20:43-08:002011-02-07T15:20:43-08:00Black Eyed Peas Super Bowl Halftime Show Disappoints As America Gives It Two Thumbs Down
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<p>The Black Eyed Peas Super Bowl halftime show was panned by the majority of the viewing public, as evidenced by the less than glowing real-time Twitter reviews and polls immediately following the show. Take, for instance, this ESPN poll, in which the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2011/2/7/1979911/black-eyed-peas-superbowl-halftime-show">wide majority of viewers gave the Black Eyed Peas a solid "F</a><a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2011/2/7/1979911/black-eyed-peas-superbowl-halftime-show">"</a> for a show that left many longing for Bruce Springsteen again.</p>
<p>Want to watch the show again? Too bad, I'm not subjecting you to a second viewing. However, SB Nation's Spencer Hall did <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/2011/2/7/1980541/super-bowl-halftime-show-in-twenty-almost-bearable-seconds">find the show in a handy 20 second format</a>, giving you a chance to relive the highlights, which were few and far between.</p>
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<p>Whew! Much better. </p>
<p>As we found out later, the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/2011-super-bowl/2011/2/7/1979321/black-eyed-peas-superbowl-halftime-show-xlv">Black Eyed Peas weren't even paid for the show</a>, as is customary with Super Bowl hafltime shows. Instead, the show is used as a platform in an effort to boost record sales and gain exposure. But did the Black Eyed Peas gain the right exposure? After all, any publicity is good publicity, right?</p>
<p>In this case, it might've done more harm than good. At least the glowing people looked cool, though.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-seahawks/2011/2/7/1980948/black-eyed-peas-superbowl-halftime-show-video-review-youtubeBrian Floyd2011-02-07T15:10:02-08:002011-02-07T15:10:02-08:00Christina Aguilera's National Anthem Rendition At The Super Bowl An Interesting Remix
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<p>I couldn’t have been the only one to turn to the person next to me and say ask if Christina Aguilera just botched the National Anthem. Mid-song, it felt like something went wrong as the words were suddenly jumbled together. I didn’t think it was possible for Aguilera to screw up the National Anthem on the nation’s biggest stage, but sure enough, she did.</p>
<p>Listen closely and see if you can spot the mis-fire.</p>
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<p>Aguilera repeated the “what so proudly we hailed” twice, forgetting about those pesky ramparts. To be honest, I can understand the mistake. If it were me — and I don’t have the singing voice for that, I’d flub the words just out of pure nervousness. Hundreds of millions are watching your every move at that moment, and no amount of practice will make those butterfly’s away.</p>
<p>The jokes came flying in soon after, with Twitter set ablaze by the misstep. The best tweet, however, came from new Hall of Fame member Deion Sanders, who had a <a target="new" href="http://twitter.com/DeionSanders/status/34416842059550724">perfectly good explanation for the remix</a>.</p>
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<p>Y’all leave Christina alone i was just informed that was the remix. The nfl was running behind so she was sweet enough to help us out.</p>
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<p>I don’t care if it’s true or not, Deion nailed it. Way to go to bat for your girl, Prime Time.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-seahawks/2011/2/7/1980940/christina-aguileras-national-anthem-superbowl-remix-youtube-videoBrian Floyd2011-02-07T09:01:26-08:002011-02-07T09:01:26-08:00Super Bowl 2011 Stats: Aaron Rodgers Puts On Passing Display, Green Bay Defense Holds Strong
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<p>Between the Green Bay defense's big plays and Aaron Rodgers' super passing performance, the Super Bowl gave us plenty of interesting stats. The Packers forced the Pittsburgh Steelers into three turnovers in Super Bowl XLV, converting each into touchdowns. The tone was set early when Nick Collins intercepted an underthrown pass from Ben Roethlisberger, taking it back for the touchdown just moments after Green Bay broke a scoreless tie. It was the first of many turnovers forced, a big difference in the game.</p>
<p>While the Packers' defense was superb, it was the Aaron Rodgers show on Sunday. Rodgers completed 24 of 39 passes for 304 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. In a game where mistakes cost the Steelers, it was Rodgers solid play that kept the Packers in front, always just out of Pittsburgh's grasp.</p>
<p>Rodgers did it all without one of his biggest weapons after Donald Driver limped off the field in the second quarter. Without Driver, Jordy Nelson stepped up and stepped into the limelight, catching nine passes for 140 yards and a touchdown. Greg Jennings was solid as usual, catching four passes for 64 yards and two touchdowns. And they did it all without a run game to speak of as James Starks rushed for just 52 yards on 11 carries.</p>
<p>On the other side of the ball, Roethlisberger bounced back from early interceptions to nearly lead the Steelers all the way back. He finished the game completing 25 of 40 passes for 263 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions -- both of which came in the first half. Those early mistakes, though, proved costly, and forced the Steelers to play from behind throughout the game.</p>
<p>Mike Wallace was Roethlisberger's favorite target and he came through. Wallace was targeted 16 times, catching nine passes for 89 yards and a touchdown. Hines Ward was Roethlisberger's second option, catching seven passes for 78 yards and a touchdown. Antwan Randle El added two catches for 50 yards.</p>
<p>The Steelers were able to get it going on the ground, led by Rashard Mendenhall, as usual. Mendenhall finished as the game's leading rushing, carrying 14 times for 63 yards and the only rushing touchdown in Super Bowl 45. Ben Roethlisberger scrambled for 31 times, with Isaac Redman adding 19 yards and Mwelde Moore adding another 13 on the ground.</p>
<p>In the end, it was the turnovers that made the difference, with a few timely stops by the Packers helping the cause. Green Bay came through in the clutch after forcing those three interceptions, forcing an incompletion on fourth down with under a minute to go to preserve the win. With the 31-25 victory, Green Bay had its fourth Super Bowl championship, keeping the Steelers from winning their seventh.</p>
<p>For more on the game, check out our <a target="_blank" href="http://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-seahawks/2011/1/25/1955239/super-bowl-2011-packers-steelers-history-matchup-preview">Super Bowl XLV</a> StoryStream.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-seahawks/2011/2/7/1979527/super-bowl-2011-stats-aaron-rodgers-green-bay-defense-turnovers-jordy-nelsonBrian Floyd2011-02-07T09:00:52-08:002011-02-07T09:00:52-08:00Super Bowl 2011 Score: Aaron Rodgers Leads Green Bay Packers To 31-25 Win Over Pittsburgh Steelers
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<p>The Green Bay Packers jumped out to a 14-0 lead in Super Bowl XLV, scoring twice in a matter of seconds after 11 scoreless minutes to open the game. In mere moments, it looked like the Packers were ready to run the Pittsburgh Steelers off the field, turning what looked to be a close matchup on paper into a blowout. Luckily for us, it didn't happen.</p>
<p>The Packers widened the gap after the Steelers hit a field goal in the second quarter when Aaron Rodgers, MVP of the Super Bowl, found Greg Jennings for 21 yards and a touchdown. Needing a touchdown before the half, the Steelers answered when Ben Roethlisberger found Hines Ward in the corner of the end zone for the touchdown as Pittsburgh headed into the half down 21-10.</p>
<p>Early in the third quarter, we suddenly had a game on our hands after the Steelers used a punishing ground game to string together a quick drive, ending with Rashard Mendenhall's eight-yard touchdown scamper up the middle. At the end of three, the Packers still led the Steelers, but the margin was far from comfortable at 21-17.</p>
<p>Rodgers gave Green Bay some breathing room in the fourth, finding Jennings again in the end zone, this time from eight yards out. The Steelers refused to roll-over, though, and Roethlisberger answered again with time winding down. Mike Wallace was on the receiving end this time, streaking down the sideline and snaring a perfectly-thrown ball from Roethlisberger for 25 yards and the touchdown.</p>
<p>Mason Crosby tacked on a field goal as insurance with just over two minutes to go, putting Green Bay up 31-25. The Steelers had a chance with one timeout and the ball, but the Green Bay defense was up to the task. With under a minute to go, the Packers stopped Roethlisberger on fourth down, forcing an incompletion and sealing the win.</p>
<p>From a potential blowout to an exciting finish, Super Bowl XLV was a rollercoaster ride throughout. The Steelers and Packers put on a show for the millions watching at home, with Green Bay hoisting the Lombardi Trophy after a hard-fought win. It was everything it was billed to be, and lived up to the pregame hype.</p>
<p>Relive all the action from the game in our <a target="_blank" href="http://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-seahawks/2011/1/25/1955239/super-bowl-2011-packers-steelers-history-matchup-preview">Super Bowl</a> StoryStream, which will also be update with stats and more throughout Monday.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-seahawks/2011/2/7/1979524/super-bowl-2011-score-aaron-rodgers-green-bay-packers-pittsburgh-steelersBrian Floyd2011-02-06T19:19:05-08:002011-02-06T19:19:05-08:00Super Bowl 2011 Final Score: The Green Bay Packers Defeat The Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25 To Become Super Bowl Champions
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<p>The Lombardi Trophy is coming back to Green Bay.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a> defeated the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> tonight in Dallas to become The champions of the 45th Super Bowl. Green Bay jumped out to an early lead, then held on in the closing moments for a 31-25 win.</p>
<p><span>Aaron Rodgers</span> performed up and down all night, he had over 300 yards passing and no interceptions, but his decision making and accuracy were on and off all night. He performed well enough to take home the MVP trophy and lead the Packers to their fourth Super Bowl title.</p>
<p>The thing that sank the Steelers was turnovers -- three of them to be exact. Pittsburgh dug its hole early, allowing a first quarter touchdown followed by a interception return for a touchdown on the very next offensive play. <span>Ben Roethlisberger</span> would throw one more interception and Rashard Mendenhal would fumble once, as well. Each turnover resulted in a touchdown on the ensuing Green Bay drive as the Packers took advantage.</p>
<p>Had Pittsburgh been able to control the ball, the outcome may have been different, but Green Bay deserves all the credit in the world for not folding with its lead slipping away down the stretch.</p>
<p>Congratulations to the Green Bay Packers, your 2011 NFL Super Bowl champions.</p>
<p>For more on the game, check out our <a href="http://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-seahawks/2011/1/25/1955239/super-bowl-2011-packers-steelers-history-matchup-preview" target="_blank">Super Bowl XLV</a> StoryStream.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-seahawks/2011/2/6/1979210/superbowl-45-xlv-green-bay-packers-championsJeff Collier2011-02-06T19:14:01-08:002011-02-06T19:14:01-08:00Super Bowl 2011 MVP: Aaron Rodgers Wins MVP After Leading Green Bay To 31-25 Victory
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<p>This was the stage that every child grew up dreaming of, and for <span>Aaron Rodgers</span> the dream was realized.</p>
<p>You could have made an argument for any number of people to win this award. I might have made a case for <span>Greg Jennings</span>. Yes, he only finished with a little under 70 yards, but he had some very big catches and had two of the three touchdown catches for the Packers.</p>
<p>But that is not the case. Rodgers is the MVP of Super Bowl 45 and it is a very well deserved honor. He finished with a little over 300 yards and three touchdown passes. The big stat for him was a zero in the turnover column. He may have made one or two reading or accuracy mistakes, but overall he was fantastic all night long. A great performance from a quarterback making his first start on the biggest stage of them all.</p>
<p>Congratulations to Aaron Rodgers and the <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Green Bay Packers</a>, as they take the Lombardi Trophy back home.</p>
<p>For more on the game, check out our <a href="http://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-seahawks/2011/1/25/1955239/super-bowl-2011-packers-steelers-history-matchup-preview" target="_blank">Super Bowl XLV</a> StoryStream.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-seahawks/2011/2/6/1979181/superbowl-45-xlv-aaron-rodgers-mvp-green-bay-packersJeff Collier2011-02-06T19:03:47-08:002011-02-06T19:03:47-08:00Super Bowl 2011 Score: Green Bay Scores And Extends It's Lead to 31-25, Sets Up For One Great Finish And Possibly Even Overtime
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<p>Green Bay needed to put together a great drive that drained a lot of time off the clock, and they did just that. The only thing that they could have improved on was the final result.</p>
<p><span>Aaron Rodgers</span> led his team 70 yards down the field on a drive that took 5:24 off the clock.</p>
<p>This was a major drive, and to add to the fact that this was such a major drive, Green bay had all but given up on their running game, but they found it here.</p>
<p>They settle for a six point game and sets up what could be the first overtime game under the <a href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d81d817d7/article/postseason-overtime-rules">new NFL Overtime rules</a>:</p>
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<p>Each team must possess or have the opportunity to possess the ball unless the team that has the ball first scores a touchdown on its initial possession. Play continues in sudden death until a winner is determined, and the game automatically ends upon any score (by safety, field goal, or touchdown) or when a score is awarded by the Referee for a palpably unfair act. Each team has three time-outs per half and all general timing provisions apply as during a regular game. The try is not attempted if a touchdown is scored. Disqualified players are not allowed to return.</p>
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<p>Also, thanks to Papa Johns, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2011/1/28/1962041/super-bowl-45-papa-john-s-overtime-free-pizza-packers-steelers">everyone gets free pizza if we get over time.</a></p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-seahawks/2011/2/6/1979197/super-bowl-2011-score-green-bay-scores-and-extends-its-lead-to-31-25Jeff Collier2011-02-06T18:52:10-08:002011-02-06T18:52:10-08:00Super Bowl 2011 Score: Mike Wallace Score On Beatiful Pass From Roethisberger, Steelers Add Two Point Conversion To Cut Into Packer Lead 28-25
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<p>Here come The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a>!</p>
<p><span>Ben Roethlisberger</span> was able to cut into the Green Bay lead by launching a beautiful touch pass into the corner of the endzone to MIke Wallace. The score was from 25 yards out and put the Steelers down by five with the point after still to come.</p>
<p>Now that they had a chance to cut the lead down to five, The Steelers seized the opportunity and went for two. Ben Roethlesberger then ran an option to the near side of the field before pitching the ball to Randle El who took it in to the endzone.</p>
<p>After a 4:20 drive that gained 66 yards The Steelers cut the lead to the closest it has been all game. Pittsburgh has never lead, yet they have always been in this ball game.'</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Packers</a> would greatly benefit by putting together a long drive, scoring, and taking a good four minutes off the clock.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-seahawks/2011/2/6/1979186/superbowl-45-xlv-steelers-ben-roethlesberger-mike-wallace-antwaan-randle-elJeff Collier