Heading into the Super Bowl XLV matchup between the Packers and Steelers, there are several things each team will have to do to win. We decided to narrow it to three things both teams must do if they want to win.

Packers:

1. Establish the run — This will be easier said than done against the league’s best-run defense. The Steelers allowed only 62.8 yards per game in the regular season and only allowed a team to rush for more than 100 yards twice, both in losses to the Patriots and the Jets. If the Packers can get James Starks rolling, they’ll be in good shape.

2. Protect Aaron Rodgers — James Harrison can strike fear in any quarterback. But if the Packers hope to get their offense moving like they did in the divisional game against the Falcons and their first offensive drive against the Bears, Rodgers must stay upright so he can get the ball to his outstanding receiving corps.

3. Get Big Ben on the ground — The QB has a build like a tight end and has a reputation of being very hard to tackle. The Packers have elite pass rushers in Clay Matthews and B.J. Raji, so if they get to him, they must do so with more than one player. A blitzing Charles Woodson just won’t be able to tackle Roethlisberger by himself. The longer Big Ben stays on his feet, the longer he has to make a big play.

Steelers:

1. Get the center comfortable — With rookie center Maurkice Pouncey likely out for the Super Bowl, the Steelers must make sure backup Doug Legursky and Roethlisberger have perfected the QB-center exchange. The center is vital to the success of the offensive line, calling out assignments and identifying defenses. Pouncey has played well all season, and without him Packers noseguard Raji could have a big game.

2. Lock down the Packers’ receivers — Make no mistake, Greg Jennings, Donald Driver and the rest have been the key to the success of Rodgers. Each one fits a similar mold — big, tough, strong and with great hands. They go over the middle with little regard and rarely drop the ball. If the Steelers secondary can prevent this group from getting open, Rodgers will be forced to make plays with his feet. 

3. Keep Rodgers from making plays with his feet — It seems as though everyone is on the Rodgers bandwagon these days, and he’s playing as well as anyone. Locking down his receivers sounds nice in theory, but Rodgers can also be deadly running with the ball. If the Steelers can keep him from hurting them with his arm, they must also keep a spy on him to prevent him from running around on them.