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Super Bowl XLV: Troy Polamalu edges Matthews for Defensive Player of the Year
Added February 2nd, 2011 by Ryan

Super Bowl XLV is just days away and the media coverage has gotten to fever pitch at this point with the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers being surrounded with media attention 24/7.

Even though a lot is being made about the battle of the quarterbacks in this Super Bowl matchup with Aaron Rodgers going head-to-head with Ben Roethlisberger, the defense of the Packers and the Steelers is what will steal the show on Super Bowl Sunday as Clay Matthews and Troy Polamalu try to lead their team to victory.

With two former USC Trojans leading the way for these defenses, this Super Bowl could turn out to be an entertaining one on both sides of the football, but even though Matthews and Polamalu had exceptional seasons this year, the Steelers safety came away with a Defensive Player of the Year award.

With seven interceptions, 63 tackles, one defensive touchdown and one sack, Troy Polamalu led the league in voting for this award just two votes ahead of Clay Matthews.

The Baltimore Ravens and read was also one of the players considered for this award as he led the league in interceptions with eight. In terms of game changing plays on defense, Polamalu stole the show this season and was a unanimous pick for the defensive player of the year award in many people’s minds.

Whether or not he will be the best defensive player in the Super Bowl remains to be seen, but I have to think getting this award just days before the big game will give him a boost of confidence moving forward. It might also motivate Matthews as he may have thought he was guaranteed to win this award.

The online sportsbooks have the following odds on this Sundays Super Bowl XLV matchup:

BetDSI Sportsbook:
Spread: Pittsburgh Steelers +3 & Green Bay Packers -3
Moneyline: Pittsburgh Steelers +125 & Green Bay Packers -145
 Over/Under: Pittsburgh Steelers 110 over & Green Bay Packers 110 under (44.5)

Bookmaker Sportsbook:
Spread: Pittsburgh Steelers +3 & Green Bay Packers -3
Moneyline: Pittsburgh Steelers +125 & Green Bay Packers -145
 Over/Under: Pittsburgh Steelers 110 over & Green Bay Packers 110 under (44.5)

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