NFL - American Football / Andy Richmond / 30 January 2011 / Leave a comment Bet Now View Market

Andy Richmond selects three men from either side who could make the difference in Super Bowl XLV.

Superbowl XLV will feature some of the most prominent and recognisable names in the NFL today and unsurprisingly for the two champion teams there are players who can change the game on both sides.

For the Green Bay Packers much of the focus will be on quarterback Aaron Rodgers, linebacker Clay Matthews and wide receiver Greg Jennings. But this Green Bay side is one that has plenty of unheralded names, men who have stepped into the breach and really performed when the going has got tough as it has through the Packers play-off road campaign.

First up is a man you really will find it hard to miss and most important of all he already has a nickname - "The Freezer". B.J. Raji is listed at 337 pounds, and he officially became the biggest man to score a post-season touchdown in NFL history after his interception for six points in the NFC Championship game in Chicago.

Raji had an exceptional inaugural season as the Packers' full-time nose tackle after making the move from defensive end. Raji literally served as the rock of a defensive line that was otherwise debilitated by injuries to four players expected to play significant roles. Despite his size he is well conditioned, and he has missed on average only five plays per game. In the Packers' past six games, Raji has four sacks, has knocked down three passes and intercepted a fourth. Raji will be hard to miss in Dallas and forms an integral part of the dynamic Packers 3-4 defence.

One of the reasons why that front seven of the Packers defence can be let off the leash so often, in turn dominating opposing teams, is the confidence that they have in their secondary. Charles Woodson is the emotional leader of that group but it is rookie Sam Shields who has really caught the eye this season, especially so on Sunday against the Bears - Shields showed the skills of a wide receiver hands to make two critical interceptions. The first one after the Packers turned the ball over near the end of the half and the other on a critical fourth down which clinched the win. Shields has had an exceptional season for the Packers as their nickel back. His hands are like a wide receiver and his balance, toughness and competitiveness are that of a defensive back.

The Packers' running game was missing for much of the season, making the offence one-dimensional, so the emergence of James Starks has been a welcome surprise. A sixth-round draft choice, he has spent a lot of the regular season injured until bursting on the scene in Philadelphia. He ran through the Eagles for 123 yards that day and pushed Green Bay forward. Now, he has the fresh legs to cause defensive coordinators nightmares - Starks led all rushers in the playoffs. The Green Bay running game is back and adds balance to an already potent offence.

Turning to the Steelers, the spotlight is often on their hard hitting defence but they have a more than capable offence and the three guys who make it tick are my ones to watch from the Pittsburgh roster.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger may not always look pretty but he gets the job done and let's not forget that he is on the verge of winning his third Superbowl. His mobility in the pocket is often the difference, when opponents allow Roethlisberger to move around, he creates plays which make a difference. His ability to make a play out of nothing is tremendous.

Power football has always been a trademark of the Steelers and with the emergence of Rashard Mendenhall the Steelers' running game has been impressive this season. This man will be a major problem for the Packers, whose defence is not quite as good as the Steelers'. I expect Mendenhall to get at least 25 carries with 100 yards on the ground being a realistic goal. Remember, the Jets were the No. 3 run defence in the NFL, and the Steelers had health issues on the offensive line, but still pounded the run game and that set the platform for the passing game, keeping the Jets unbalanced and allowing Roethlisberger to move around. Mendenhall will prove a real handful for the Packers' front seven.

Heath Miller is one of those players you only notice when he isn't there and he might be the most important part of the Steelers' passing game. Remember the 2009 season, when the Steelers edged the Packers 37-36 in Pittsburgh? Roethlisberger felt he could take advantage of holes in the middle of the Packers' secondary. Miller had his best game of the season - seven catches for 118 yards - against the Packers. This man has it all, he's a good blocker and has great hands, and he'll be an integral part of the basic offensive set that the Steelers use and the Packers have had trouble containing tight ends for the past two seasons.

Superbowl XLV has an abundant number of storylines and potential stars but these six may well be at the heart of plenty of them.