| REPORT CARD |
| MVP |
| Quarterback Aaron Rodgers was fantastic. He threw for three touchdown passes, and if his receivers hadn’t dropped four passes, he might have had a couple more. Rodgers delivered some of his best throws late in the game when Green Bay needed them. |
| Pro Bowl performance |
| Receiver Jordy Nelson caught nine passes for 140 yards and the first touchdown of the game. Thing is, he could have had 12 catches for more than 200 if he had held on to the ball. Still, with Donald Driver hurt, Nelson came up huge. |
| Under the radar |
| Though Green Bay’s James Starks only rushed 11 times for 52 yards, he and the other Green Bay backs did a solid job in pass protection picking up the blitz. They provided Rodgers enough time to get rid of the ball. |
| From the sidelines |
| » Dom Capers’ defense stayed aggressive late in the game, a wise tactic, and it prevented Ben Roethlisberger from having time to throw. The Packers were one-dimensional on offense, but the passing game was enough. |
| » It’s hard to fault Mike Tomlin and the other Pittsburgh coaches when three turnovers led to the loss. But the powerful Pittsburgh defense could not stop Green Bay from scoring TDs after two of the turnovers, so don’t just blame the offense. |
First quarter
A scoreless game that had the feel of a defensive struggle changed in a 24-second span. First, Aaron Rodgers connected with receiver Jordy Nelson for a 30-yard touchdown on third-and-1. The Steelers then looked like the Super Bowl novices rather than the Packers as a penalty wiped out a 44-yard kick return. On the first play from scrimmage, safety Nick Collins intercepted Ben Roethlisberger for a 37-yard touchdown return.
Edge » Packers
Second quarter
Another turnover; another Packers touchdown. This time, safety Jarrett Bush intercepted Roethlisberger, setting up a Rodgers touchdown pass to Greg Jennings. But the Steelers did have a good quarter, thanks to two ex-Redskins. Shaun Suisham kicked a 33-yard field goal, and receiver Antwaan Randle El had a 37-yard catch on a scoring drive, ending in a touchdown pass to Hines Ward. Green Bay cornerback Charles Woodson left the game with a broken collarbone.
Edge » Steelers
Third quarter
Momentum clearly shifted in the third quarter, perhaps helped by injuries to Green Bay’s secondary. With Woodson out, the Packers lost part of their defensive strength, and Pittsburgh capitalized. A bogus face-mask penalty on Green Bay helped, too. Regardless, Rashard Mendendhall’s 8-yard touchdown run cut into Green Bay’s lead, making it 21-17.
Edge » Steelers
Fourth quarter
Just when Pittsburgh appeared to seize control, the Steelers lost their grip. Literally. Mendenhall’s fumble in Green Bay territory led to the Packers’ third touchdown off a Steelers turnover and 28-17 lead. Rodgers hit Jennings for a score. Roethlisberger answered with a TD pass and Randle El had a two-point conversion off, get this, an option. But a field goal and the Packers’ defense stopped the Steelers’ rally.
Edge » Packers
