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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Relive all the action from the game in our Super Bowl StoryStream, which will also be update with stats and more throughout Monday.