In a season filled to the max with opportunities to collapse and go at it next year, the Packers rose above the injuries and the excuses, silencing their critics with a Super Bowl victory for the ages, beating the Steelers 31-25.

All year long Green Bay was forced to shuffle their roster, elevating players with little to no experience into starting roles, as their premier players went down with season ending injuries. For just about every other team, losing playmakers like running back Ryan Grant, tight end Jermichael Finley, and others would inevitably destroy a season that started with so much promise. Instead, the Packers are headed home from Dallas with the Lombardi Trophy by their side and a multitude of fans ready to turn Green Bay into the nation’s biggest party.

Winning the game wasn’t easy, although nothing worth doing ever is, but in the end, the Packers found a way to overcome a Pittsburgh team that had been there and done that with regard to the championship game.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, long the target of critics hell bent on crucifying the Packers for dumping Brett Favre, masterfully directed his offense down the field when it mattered most, hitting a streaking Greg Jennings for a 38 yard pass on third and long with the game on the line, setting up a field goal to force the Steelers into TD or bust mode late in the game.

The biggest play of the game though came on the first play of the fourth quarter, with linebacker Clay Matthews slamming his helmet into Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall and forcing a crucial turnover near midfield that eventually led to a brilliant touchdown throw from Rodgers to Jennings in the far corner of the end zone. That score was the difference in the game and it wouldn’t have happened without a spectacular play by Matthews, who has provided a one man highlight all season long.

The joy of winning will inevitably fade into the background, especially with the looming labor strife between the league and the players hanging over everyone’s head like a guillotine, but tonight the world belongs to the Packers and their fans. Congratulations on a fantastic season and another outstanding Super Bowl win.

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