A couple myths that were exposed once again by Green Bay’s Super Bowl victory:
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Experience matters » Green Bay had just two players with Super Bowl experience compared to 25 for Pittsburgh. It didn’t seem to matter. Then again, based on recent past, nobody should be surprised. After all, Indianapolis had more experience than New Orleans last season. And lost. The New England Patriots had more experience than the New York Giants three years ago. And lost. St. Louis had more experience than the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVI. And lost. Experience didn’t help Buffalo in its four Super Bowl appearances. In the past 20 years, there have been 12 Super Bowls in which one team had made a recent appearance. Those teams are 5-7. Get the picture?
You must have a strong running game » Any offense must have more than one way to beat a team. Green Bay might not have defeated Philadelphia without James Starks‘ big game. But the Packers are a pass-first — and second — team. Pittsburgh had the better rushing attack and the more imposing run defense. It didn’t matter. We’re now at 13 straight seasons without a running back being named MVP of the Super Bowl. And the last time a rushing champ (Denver’s Terrell Davis) won a title was in Super Bowl XXXII. That’s also the last time one won the game’s MVP. In fact, the last 10 MVPs all have received the honor because of the passing game: six quarterbacks, three receivers and a safety. Finally, there’s this: Only six of the top 15 rushers this season made the postseason; 10 of the top 15 quarterbacks advanced. Aaron Rodgers was the third-rated passer.
You must stay healthy » The Packers placed 15 players on injured reserve and lost two more during the game. Green Bay’s triumph with those numbers is a rarity. Yet it never trailed by more than seven points this season — let that ruminate for a minute — and it ended up winning a championship. How? Because the only big-time player the Packers lost was tight end Jermichael Finley. And because their drafting record has been phenomenal. It’s led to terrific depth. It also led to a Super Bowl victory.
