Sunday, February 6, 2011

Turnovers Costly as Packers Upend Steelers 31-25

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By Justin Worsley,

Aaron Rodgers tossed three touchdowns and the Green Bay Packers converted three Pittsburgh Steelers turnovers for touchdowns as Green Bay won their fourth Super Bowl title in franchise history 31-25.

Rodgers was named the Super Bowl MVP, the fourth quarterback to win the award in the last five years, after completing 24 of 39 passes for 304 yards and three touchdowns.

The Packers never trailed in the game and took the lead in the first quarter when Rodgers threw to an extended Jordy Nelson for a 29 yard touchdown.

On the next play from scrimmage, Steelers quarterback was hit by Howard Green as he threw, causing a pass intended for Mike Wallace to be underthrown and into the arms of Nick Collins, who returned the pass 37 yards for a touchdown.

Roethlisberger threw another interception in the second quarter when Wallace had the ball swiped from him by Jarrett Bush. The pick help set up a 21 yard touchdown pass by Rodgers to Greg Jennings.

The Steelers, however, would not go down easily. Pittsburgh responded on the next drive with an eight touchdown pass from Roethlisberger to Hines Ward, the third time on that drive that those two connected.

Rashard Mendenhall ran off the right tackle for an eight yard touchdown on Pittsburgh's opening drive in the third quarter to cut the Steelers deficit to 21-17.

Mendenhall, however, opened up the fourth quarter with another Pittsburgh turnover when linebacker Clay matthews hit Mendenhall in the arm, causing him to fumble. Mendenhall had lost only two fumbles all year.

Rodgers used a passing attack to spread the Steelers secondary and drive 55 yards on the next drive, ending with Rodgers hooking up yet again with Jennings.

Pittsburgh pulled the game within three when Roethlisberger hit a wide open Wallace for a 25-yard touchdown. Antwaan Randle El took a pitch from Roethlisberger into the end zone for a two-point conversion.

The Steelers found themselves with one last shot after the Packers kicked a field goal to go up by six points with 2:07 left in the game. It was a comfortable feeling for Steelers fans though, as Roethlisberger has 24 career fourth quarter and overtime comebacks, including five this season. Unlike his past success, Roethlisberger failed to complete three consecutive passes, including one to Wallace on fourth down.

Rodgers, 27, helped pull himself out of the shadow of Brett Favre and now has an accolade Favre was never able to obtain, the Super Bowl MVP award. Favre was also 27 when he won his only Super Bowl title.

Nelson also had a game-high nine receptions for 140 yards. Defensive Player of the Year winner Troy Polamalu was held to only three tackles.

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