Home : Entertainment : Photo Galleries :
  • Photos
packers_20110123163849_JPG

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) scrambles during the first half of the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Sunday, Jan. 23, 2011, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

steelers1_20110124085514_JPG

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall (34) runs away from New York Jets linebacker Calvin Pace (97) and cornerback Drew Coleman (30) during the first half of the AFC Championship NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan. …

packers_20110124090808_JPG

Green Bay Packers defensive tackle B.J. Raji (90) reacts after intercepting and running the ball back for a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the second half of the NFC Championship NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 23, 2011, in …

st_20110123211101_JPG

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley (56) tackles New York Jets running back LaDainian Tomlinson (21) during the second half of the AFC Championship NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2011. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

packeers_20110117124938_JPG

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson celebrates after scoring a touchdown on a 6-yard pass play during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday, Jan., 15, 2011, in Atlanta. …

steelers_20110124085358_JPG

New York Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie (31) tackles Pittsburgh Steelers running back Mewelde Moore (21) after a pass reception during the second half of the AFC Championship NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2011. (AP …

pack_20110117125054_JPG

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) dives into the end zone ahead of Atlanta Falcons cornerback Brent Grimes (20) to score a touchdown on a 7-yard run during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, …

packers_20110116103120_JPG

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) scrambles past Atlanta Falcons linebacker Curtis Lofton (50) on a 7-yard touchdown run during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011, in …

steelers_20110117124618_JPG

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Heath Miller (83) dives for a pass as Baltimore Ravens safety Dawan Landry defends during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011. (AP Photo/Gene J. …

packers_20110110103834_JPG

Green Bay Packers fullback John Kuhn pushes off of the helmet of Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Dimitri Patterson during the first half of an NFL football NFC wild-card playoff game in Philadelphia, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Matt …

steelers_20110117124507_JPG

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) beats Baltimore Ravens cornerback Lardarius Webb on a long pass during the second half of an NFL divisional football game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011. The play set up Rashard …

aron_20110110103707_JPG

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers points to the sidelines after a touchdown throw during the second half of an NFL football NFC wild-card playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2011. The …

steelers1_20110115182114_JPG

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward (86) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half of an NFL divisional football game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011. The …

packers_20110109175846_JPG

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick scrambles out of the reach of Green Bay Packers linebacker Desmond Bishop during the first half of an NFL football NFC wild-card playoff game in Philadelphia, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2011. (AP …

steelers_20110115181757_JPG

Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice (27) carries the ball for a touchdown as Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback William Gay (22) defends during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Jan. 15, …

packers_20110102172421_JPG

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers drops back to pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Jan. 2, 2011, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jim Prisching)

steelers_20110102144204_JPG

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger fires a pass against the Cleveland Browns in the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 2, 2011, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

packers_20101226175203_JPG

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers celebrates an 8-yard touchdown run by John Kuhn during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants on Sunday, Dec. 26, 2010, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

steelers_20101224175700_JPG

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (88) stretches for more yardage after being hit by Carolina Panthers cornerback Robert McClain (36) during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 23, 2010, in …

Green Bay Packers_20101220142548_JPG

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers walks onto the field as his team comes together.(AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)

jets_20101219173459_JPG

New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez, left, scrambles during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2010. In pursuit is Steelers linebacker James Farrior (51). (AP …

lions_20101212142816_JPG

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) is upended by Detroit Lions cornerback Brandon McDonald (33) in the first half of the NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday , Dec. 12, 2010. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)

steelers_20101212141603_JPG

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu (43) scores a touchdown on an interception as Cincinnati Bengals tight end Jermaine Gresham (84) defends during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2010, in Pittsburgh. (AP …

Green Bay Packers_20101206123328_JPG

Green Bay Packers running back James Starks (44) runs past San Francisco 49ers cornerback Tramaine Brock (26). (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

steelers_20101206082411_JPG

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) is sacked by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs (55) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)

packers_20101205144448_JPG

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws a shovel pass to Brandon Jackson (32) during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

steelers_20101128150802_JPG

Pittsburgh Steelers' Rashard Mendenhall (34) runs for a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Nov. 28, 2010. (AP Photo/David Duprey)

packers_20101121160947_JPG

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Hannah Foslien)
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots_20101115080649_JPG

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (88) misses a pass in the end zone as New England Patriots cornerback Devin McCourty (32) defends.(AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers_20101108075509_JPG

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Jon Kitna (3) fumbles as he is hit by Green Bay Packers linebacker Desmond Bishop, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

steelers_20101121162046_JPG

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (88) makes a catch for a touchdown against Oakland Raiders cornerback Jeremy Ware (23) during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Don…
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Green Bay Packers and New York Jets_20101101111216_JPG

Green Bay Packers cornerback Tramon Williams (38) breaks up a pass to New York Jets wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery (89). (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals_20101109075603_JPG

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu (43) levels Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Terrell Owens on a reception on the Bengals' last drive. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke)

Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings_20101025075238_JPG

Green Bay Packers tight end Andrew Quarless catches a 9-yard touchdown pass between Minnesota Vikings' Tyrell Johnson (25) and E.J. Henderson (56). (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints_20101101130011_JPG

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall (34) tries to make his way past New Orleans Saints defenders. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)

Dolphins and Packers_20101018081527_JPG

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Brian Hartline (82) makes a reception over Green Bay Packers cornerback Charles Woodson (21). (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers_20101025075258_JPG

Miami Dolphins linebacker Karlos Dansby (58) lands on the ball fumbled by Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)

dolphins_20101017162107_JPG

Miami Dolphins linebacker Cameron Wake, left, sacks Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

steelers_20101024175914_JPG

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in Miami, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010, against the Miami Dolphins. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Packers and Redskins_20101012074332_JPG

Washington Redskins linebacker Brian Orakpo celebrates the Redskins' 16-13 victory in overtime. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Browns and Steelers_20101018081408_JPG

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Bryant McFadden, top, breaks up a pass for Cleveland Browns tight end Evan Moore. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

redskins_20101010153150_JPG

Washington Redskins safety LaRon Landry forces a fumble from Green Bay Packers tight end Donald Lee during the first half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Sunday, Oct. 10, 2010. Washington recovered the fumble. (AP Photo/Pablo …
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

ravens_20101003155743_JPG

Baltimore Ravens running back Willis McGahee (23) celebrates making a first down near the goal line in front of Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Larry Foote (50) in the second quarter of the NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 3, …
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Steelers Buccaneers_20100927083403_JPG

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace (17) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Aqib Talib (25) battle for a pass from Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010, in …

packers_20101003154135_JPG

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings catches a 17-yard touchdown pass in front of Detroit Lions cornerback Jonathan Wade (24) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 3, 2010, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike …
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

steelers_20100926153757_JPG

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace (17) hands the football to quarterback Charlie Batch after catching a first-quarter touchdown pass from Batch during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Sept. 26, …
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Packers Bears_20100928092843_JPG

Chicago Bears safety Danieal Manning, left, pushes Green Bay Packers wide receiver James Jones (89) out of bounds during the second half of an NFL football game Monday, Sept. 27, 2010, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Pittsburgh Steelers_20100921134250_JPG

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dennis Dixon (10) scrambles away from Tennessee Titans defensive end Derrick Morgan (90) in the first quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Russell)

Green Bay Packers and Buffalo Bills_20100920105042_JPG

Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews reacts after sacking Buffalo Bills quarterback Trent Edwards during the first half an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jim Prisching)

Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans_20100920104659_JPG

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Lawrence Timmons (94) stops Tennessee Titans tight end Bo Scaife (80) in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010, in Nashville, Tenn. Steelers linebacker James Harrison (92) looks…

Green Bay Packers_20100721111229_JPG

FILE - This Dec. 27, 2009, file photo shows Green Bay Packers' Johnny Jolly reacting during the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer, File)

Play
Regular Photo Size51/51
  • More News
Photos: Astrodome fades, crumbles
Photos: Astrodome fades, crumbles

Once the envy of other cities, the Astrodome now sits decaying …

Football star Donald Driver is new 'Dancing' champ
Donald Driver is new 'Dancing' champ

He already has a Super Bowl ring, and now football star Donald …

Manning looks good in Broncos' first OTA workout
Manning looks good in Broncos' workout

His passes were hitting receivers in stride and right between …

Eli Manning, Giants get latest Super Bowl rings
Giants get latest Super Bowl rings

Manning and his New York Giants teammates received their Super …

Leaf pleads guilty to stealing painkillers
Leaf pleads guilty to stealing

Former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf pleaded guilty Tuesday to …

NFL Gallery: Road to the Super Bowl

Glance back at the Steelers and Packers

Updated: Monday, 24 Jan 2011, 11:42 AM EST
Published : Monday, 24 Jan 2011, 11:08 AM EST

    Packers, Steelers to clash in Super Bowl

    CHICAGO (AP) — The Green Bay Packers will face the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Super Bowl after both held off hard-finishing opponents to win their respective NFL conference championship games on Sunday.

    Green Bay led 14-0 and hung on for a 21-14 win over the Chicago Bears in the NFC decider while Pittsburgh had a 21-7 advantage but was forced into a late goal-line stand before clinching a 24-19 win over the New York Jets in the AFC title game.

    In Dallas on Feb. 6, the Packers will be making their first Super Bowl since back-to-back appearances in 1997 and 1998. The Steelers, who have won a record six Super Bowls, are back for their third in six years, having won both the previous in 2006 and 2009.

    Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers ran for a touchdown and made a saving tackle, B.J. Raji returned an interception for a score and Sam Shields had two interceptions in the Packers win.

    Chicago almost staged an unlikely comeback thanks to third-string quarterback Caleb Hanie after starter Jay Cutler was injured and No.2 Todd Collins was pulled after an ineffective showing.

    Rodgers threw passes of 22 and 26 yards to Tim Jennings to open an 84-yard drive on the opening series of the game. He later hit Jordy Nelson with a 22-yarder at the Bears 2-yard line, then ran in after withstanding a hard hit from Chicago safety Danieal Manning. And just like that, the Packers were ahead 7-0 inside four minutes.

    The Packers moved in again early in the second. Rodgers got off a pass under pressure to Brandon Jackson and the running back made a fake to go past Urlacher and gain 16 yards. James Starks then broke off a 12-yard run before Rodgers found Nelson for a 15-yard gain to the 4. The rookie Starks carried right and weaved his way over the goal line, putting the Packers ahead 14-0 with 11:13 left in the half.

    In the third quarter, Rodgers went back to work, connecting with Jordy Nelson for 21 yards and Greg Jennings for 20. After a pass interference call on Chicago's Tim Jennings, the Packers had a first down at the 8 and looked like putting the game to bed.

    But on third-and-6, Bears' linebacker Brian Urlacher intercepted a pass by Rodgers and had just the QB to beat for a long TD return. But Rodgers got in Urlacher's way and grabbed just enough of his legs to pull him down at the Bears 45.

    Still, it kept the game at 14-0 and Chicago cut that to 14-7 early in the fourth quarter after third-stringer Hanie came into the game, setting up Chester Taylor's run from the 1-yard line.

    Hanie had a chance to tie the game but threw a pass straight to Packers defensive lineman Raji, who lumbered 18 yards into the end zone for a touchdown to give the Packers a 21-7 lead.

    But Hanie wasn't finished. He threw a 35-yard touchdown pass to Earl Bennett to again cut the lead to seven points with 4:43 left.

    The Bears forced a punt and got the ball back with under 3 minutes left. Hanie drove the Bears to the Green Bay 29-yard line, but then threw a fourth-down interception to Shields — the rookie's second of the game.

    The Packers hung on for victory in this 182nd meeting of the NFL's most played rivalry and will be playing for the Vince Lombardi Trophy — named for their former coach — in their fifth Super Bowl.

    In the later game, Pittsburgh had to withstand an even more determined comeback bid, leaving the Jets still looking for their first Super Bowl appearance since 1969.

    Pittsburgh set the early tone with a 66-yard march that took up the first nine minutes, with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger displaying his scrambling skills on several plays, including a key 12-yard run on third-and-12. Rashard Mendenhall reached the ball over the goal line from the 1, the final of a 15-play drive.

    But Pittsburgh also lost rookie center Maurkice Pouncey with an ankle injury, leaving it with just one backup offensive lineman.

    It was the Jets who were struggling to block, though. And catch, with the usually sure-handed Jerricho Cotchery making a key third-down drop.

    Or tackle. Mendenhall found seams to the left, right or up the middle. His 35-yard sprint in the second quarter led to Shaun Suisham's 20-yard field goal and a 10-0 lead.

    It became 17-0 as Roethlisberger scooted into the end zone from the 2. Just 47 seconds later, Ike Taylor sacked Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez, forcing a fumble that William Gay ran 22 yards for a 24-0 lead.

    A New York field goal made it 24-3 at halftime, and that deficit proved too big for the Jets to make up, even though they made it interesting.

    A 45-yard TD pass from Mark Sanchez to Santonio Holmes — the hero of Pittsburgh's Super Bowl victory two years ago — made it 24-10 in the third quarter and breathed life into the game.

    In the fourth quarter, Roethlisberger fumbled and was tackled in the end zone for a safety that made it 24-12, and on the next drive, Sanchez found Cotchery on a short pass, making it 24-19.

    However the Jets never got the ball back, with Roethlisberger twice passing for

    first down — the second time to Antonio Brown to seal the game.

    Comments


    WISH-TV is migrating to a more stable commenting system called DISQUS. This system is used by CNN, TIME, FOX News, numerous blogging sites and has over 75 Million registrered users. Unfortunately we can't migrate our current user accounts to this new system.


    To sign up for a DISQUS account, click the DISQUS button just below and to the right and then click Login.


    DISQUS lets you login with several different options, including Facebook, Google, Twitter, Yahoo or OpenID. We expect it to allow more conversation and better moderation. If you have any questions, please feel free to comment below.


     
    blog comments powered by Disqus
    Advertisement
    • Participate Photos
    Upload Your Photos

    Upload Your Photos

    Capture a great weather video or see news happen?  Report It!

    Browse Photos »
    Advertisement

    Advertisement