In a defense-dominated first quarter, the Steelers and Packers offense failed to find the groove that made them high-powered during the regular season.
Update: Packers win 31-25, click HERE for the game’s key plays.
Update: Packers win 31-25, click HERE for the game’s key plays.
The Packers capitalized on several Steelers mistakes in the first quarter. With less than four minutes remaining in the quarter, and within 20 seconds of each other, Green Bay scored two touchdowns, putting them up 14 - 0.
Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers put a capstone on a more-than four-minute-long drive with a 29-yard pass to receiver Jordy Nelson for a touchdown.
Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw an interception on the first play of the ensuing drive. Packers safety hauled in the pick and took it back for a touchdown.
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15:00 - The Steelers are the first to get possession with Green Bay kicker Mason Crosby kicking the ball off and then making the tackle on the kick returner.
14:54 - The first play of the game was a Ben Roethlisberger pass to Hines Ward. Clay Matthews, a runner-up to AP’s Defensive Player of the Year, made the first tackle.
The Steelers went three and out on their first drive.
13:19 - The Packers almost encountered disaster on their first punt return when return man Tramon Williams muffed the catch. He was able to recover it.
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers passed up the middle to receiver Donald Driver for 24 yards after the Pittsburgh defense committed a penalty, giving the Packers a free play.
11:13 - On the ensuing set of downs, the Packers went three and out, punting the ball to the Steelers, who started on their own 20.
Rasard Mendenhall rushed on two consecutive plays: one for 10 yards and a first down. On the second rush, Mendenhall rushed for nine yards. However, on the ensuing play, Pittsburgh committed another penalty, a false start, for five yards.
8:26 - The Steelers were not able to convert a first down and punted into the Packers end zone.
John Madden, New York Yankees shortstop Alex Rodriguez, actress Cameron Diaz, and former president George W. Bush are spotted in the stands.
3:51 - The Packers, starting from their own 20 yard line, pieced together a balanced drive. Rodgers put a capstone on the drive with a 29-yard pass to receiver Jordy Nelson for a touchdown. Crosby hit the PAT, making the score 7 - 0, Packers.
On the ensuing kickoff, Pittsburgh was penalized again for a block in the back that was enforced after the play.
3:34 - Roethlisburger on the first play after the Packers touchdown threw a lofty ball for a costly interception to Packers free safety Nick Collins, which was taken back for a touchdown and a PAT. The Packers are up 14 - 0. Green Bay defensive tackle Howard Green put pressure on Roethlisburger, forcing him to throw an errant pass.
Green Bay kicks off to Pittsburgh. The Steelers start off on their own 36 yard line.
The Steelers get another penalty call against them. This time it’s offensive tackle Chris Kemoeatu with an illegal block in the back for 10 yards. The Steelers are backed up to their own 43.
Big Ben injects some life into the Steelers offense, scrambling for 18 yards and a first down.
