Steelers will win (unless Packers do)

Super breakdown. So, it comes down to two of the most storied franchises in National Football League history in Super Bowl XLV (that’s 45 – I had to look it up) on Sunday. You’ve seen the hype, read the articles, heard the ridiculous question about the third-team linebacker’s cat’s favorite treat. It’s time to play.

Green Bay is known as Titletown, and for good reason. The Packers own 12 league championships, including nine NFL trophies before the Super Bowl era, plus three Super Bowl victories. NFL trivia nerds will recall that Green Bay, the only publically owned team in the league, won the first two Super Bowls in impressive fashion following the 1966 and ’67 seasons. Then came a long drought before the Pack resurfaced to down New England in 1996. This will be their fifth Super Bowl appearance, first since Denver beat Favre et al. back in ’97.

For non-Pittsburgh fans, the Steelers’ consistent excellence is maddening. In the 41 years since the AFL-NFL merger, Pittsburgh has played in 15 AFC Championship games – 15! This will be their eighth trip to the Super Bowl, having won six, most recently downing upstart Arizona two years ago in SB XLIII.

You could break this game down in myriad ways. You’ve got two tough defenses, with the Steelers getting the edge due to their ability to stone opposing rushers and wreak havoc on the pocket. And of course, they have a heat-seeking missile in safety Troy Polamalu. Then, there are two superstar quarterbacks, with Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers having the hot hand (although the two-week layoff can’t help but cool him off).

In an otherwise even matchup, the difference in this game comes down to one word: experience. This will be the Steelers’ – and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s – third Super Bowl appearance in the last six years. They know what to expect and how to handle the 24-7 media circus that surrounds the two-week buildup prior to kickoff. They won’t be awed by the bright lights or bothered by the “friends” and distant cousins that come out of the woodwork for a piece of the action. Calm, cool Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin has been here before and will have his team in the right mindset to play premium football.

Prediction: Steelers 24, Packers 21

Rockin’ it. It’s a great time to be a Rockies fan. For one, they currently sit atop the NL West standings with no losses, ahead of the Dodgers, Padres, Giants and D-Backs, who are all tied for last with no wins. But aside from eternal spring optimism, the Rox have become a team that is easy to root for. Kudos to the Monforts and general manager Dan O’Dowd for creating a squad with a feeling of permanence, at least as much as is possible in today’s transitory climate. The recent signings of superstars Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez – along with the return of ace Ubaldo Jimenez – have given Rockheads reason to believe the local “nine” will be competitive for summers to come. The only ones happier might just be the marketing folks over at 20th and Blake. (We’ll touch on spring training soon.)

E-mail us your thoughts at twalmer@denverpost.com, and we may include them in a future column.