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Statistics are part and parcel of the NFL, the lifeblood almost, but from the plethora of stats that abound here are five that could have a game changing impact on Superbowl XLV:

Both sides are capable of putting points on the board

The Packers in three play-off games have rattled up 90 points, while the Steelers, who played just two play-off games, scored 55 points. In the regular season they were equally adept at putting points on the board, both sides averaging more than 23 points per game. But this will be the fourth Super Bowl in which the team that gave up the fewest points in the regular season (Steelers) faces the team that gave up the second-fewest points (Packers) and this could be a little more defensive than is expected from these two storied franchises.

With two potent offences on display last year - New Orleans and Indianapolis - a big points total was anticipated, but you have to go back to 2004 to find a Super Bowl that has topped 50 points. They'll have to go some to top the 75 points that San Francisco and Denver racked up in Super Bowl XXIX - but recent history suggests a total nearer 45-50. This is no normal game and teams sometimes take time to settle - the two highest scoring Super Bowls in the last ten years in 2003, 69 points, and 2004, 61 points, only totalled six points in the first quarter combined. The average over the past decade is 45.9 and the points line is settled around that mark this time.

Quarter by quarter

Pay attention to the ebb and flow of the game by quarter. In the last ten Super Bowls the first quarter has only contained 55 points. Eight of those ten first quarters have contained seven or less points, and two were scoreless. Both sides started their Championship games quickly but this is the Super Bowl and I expect a more conservative start. The points totals by quarter in the last ten Super Bowls are: Q1-55, Q2-123, Q3-101, Q4-180.

The Packers are early 2½ point favourites

Why? The game is indoors, which means Green Bay play on a fast surface. You saw what happened the last time they did that they rattled up 48 points against Atlanta in the Georgia Dome. For the record, Head Coach Mike McCarthy is 11-6 indoors and 1-1 inside during the playoffs. Here's another reason to favour Green Bay - The Packers haven't been behind by seven points at any time this season and trailed for only three minutes of the playoffs. They also became only the third team to reach the Super Bowl by winning three straight road games. The last two to do it - the 2007 New York Giants and 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers - each walked off with a league championship. QB Aaron Rodgers has a history of playing extremely well indoors, which makes him a good fit for Super Bowl XLV in Dallas. He's thrown 25 touchdown passes with just six interceptions in 12 career indoor games and his passer rating is the highest in indoor games (including playoffs) since 2008.

Experience is key

Experience is always a factor and here the Steelers hold a considerable edge, not only on the pitch but in the coaching ranks. The most telling experience margin comes at quarterback though where Ben Roethlisberger goes head-to-head with Aaron Rodgers. He's 10-2 in playoff games and has evolved into one of the league's all-time great clutch quarterbacks. He's one of the best in the league rolling out to the right and creating big plays on the run and he has been superb at engineering fourth quarter comebacks throughout his career.

Roethlisberger has been here before

Both Super Bowl quarterbacks have strong arms and can make big plays. Both can make first downs with their feet. Rodgers heads to the Super Bowl as the hotter quarterback. He has completed 71% of his passes (66 of 93) for 790 yards and six touchdowns in three playoff games. But there is a subtle difference that could give Roethlisberger a slight advantage. Super Bowl balls usually have a little more paint on them and are a little harder to handle. For Roethlisberger, it shouldn't be a problem. This will be his third game using Super Bowl balls, this will be Rodgers' first experience and it could just give Roethlisberger a little edge.

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