Some games define a season. Some performances define a career. Super Bowl XLV was that game for the Green Bay Packers and quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The Packers won their fourth Super Bowl and first since 1996 this past February after defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV. Rodgers shined the last six games of the season and came through big in the title game with 304 yards and three touchdowns through the air to help the Packers win 31-25.
The Packers started the game hot with a Rodgers touchdown pass to Jordan Nelson, followed 24 seconds later by a Nick Collins 37 yard interception return for a touchdown. Down 21-3 with two minutes left in the first half, the favored Steelers drove down the field with poise and finished the drive with an eight yard touchdown pass from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to veteran receiver Hines Ward to make it 21-10 at halftime.
The Steelers carried the momentum into the second half with an early Rashard Mendenhall touchdown run to put them within four points of Green Bay. After a quiet third quarter from the Packers, Rodgers connected with Greg Jennings to start the fourth quarter to extend their lead to 28-17. Mike Wallace and the Steel-show answered back with a touchdown of their own with 7:34 remaining in the game before a reverse to Antwaan Randle El on the conversion put them within a field goal. The Steelers appeared to have the game in hand after holding the Packers to a Mason Crosby field goal to be down by only six points with 2:07 remaining. The late stop would be the last bright spot for Pittsburgh, though, as the Packers defense would force a turnover on downs with 49 seconds remaining to clinch the game and the Super Bowl.
The Packers performance legitimized the franchise for the first time in over a decade and proved they could win the big games without legendary quarterback Brett Favre behind center. The game was just as big for Rodgers, who earned game MVP honors and finally escaped from Favre's shadow. The Packers hot streak would continue into 2011, as they are currently 14-1 since winning the Super Bowl and sit atop the rankings as the best team in the NFL today and for many years to come.
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