SI's Best Shots of Super Bowl XLV

SI Staff | Feb 9, 2011

SI's Best Shots of Super Bowl XLV /

SI's Best Shots of Super Bowl XLV

Super Bowl XLV

Aaron Rodgers and the Packers' offense prepares to snap the ball against the Steelers' defense.

Super Bowl XLV

Minutes before Super Bowl XLV kicked off at Cowboys Stadium, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin and Packers coach Mike McCarthy met at midfield to exchange pleasantries. It would be the last time Pittsburgh and Green Bay were friendly to one another Sunday before taking part in one of the most exciting Super Bowls in recent memory. MVP Aaron Rodgers and the Packers survived a late rally from the Steelers to claim a 31-25 victory and the franchise's 13th NFL title and fourth Super Bowl championship, their first since Super Bowl XXXI. With 11 Sports Illustrated photographers among the thousands of media members in Arlington, Texas this week, here are our best photos from Super Bowl XLV in chronological order.

Super Bowl XLV

Green Bay running back James Starks fights through a gang of Steelers tacklers during the first quarter.

Super Bowl XLV

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger throws a pass to his right during the first quarter of Super Bowl XLV.

Super Bowl XLV

Packers cornerback and return man Tramon Williams bobbles a punt during the first quarter of Super Bowl XLV. Green Bay recovered the fumble.

Super Bowl XLV

Aaron Rodgers drops back as the Packers and Steelers' lines clash up front.

Super Bowl XLV

Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson reels in the first touchdown pass of Super Bowl XLV.

Super Bowl XLV

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is hit in the end zone leading to a 37-yard interception return for a touchdown by Packers safety Nick Collins.

Super Bowl XLV

Packers safety Nick Collins leaps over the goal line to put the Packers up 14-0 in the first quarter.

Super Bowl XLV

Packers safety Nick Collins celebrates his pick-6 that put Green Bay up 14-0 in the first quarter.

Super Bowl XLV

Packers safety Nick Collins extends his arms into the air after recording a pick-six in the first quarter.

Super Bowl XLV

Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall takes on Packers cornerback Tramon Williams in the second quarter.

Super Bowl XLV

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin looks up at the Cowboys' JumboTron following a Packers touchdown in the second quarter.

Super Bowl XLV

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger throws a pass picked off by Packers cornerback Jarrett Bush.

Super Bowl XLV

Green Bay defensive back Jarrett Bushhits the turf after picking off Ben Roethlisberger during in the second quarter.

Super Bowl XLV

Packers running back James Starks fights through a tackle in the middle of the second quarter.

Super Bowl XLV

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is rocked by Packers linebacker Clay Matthews in the second quarter.

Super Bowl XLV

Packers cornerback Charles Woodson broke his collar bone breaking up this pass intended for Steelers WR Mike Wallace. He remained in the game for one more play, but did not return in the second half.

Super Bowl XLV

Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown attempts to elude Packers safety Nick Collins.

Super Bowl XLV

Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings celebrates with his teammates after catching a 21-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter.

Super Bowl XLV

Aaron Rodgers drops back into the pocket and throws a pass during the second quarter.

Super Bowl XLV

Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward fights through a tackle during the second quarter.

Super Bowl XLV

Shortly before the end of the first half, Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward reels in a touchdown pass from Ben Roethlisberger to make it 21-10.

Super Bowl XLV

Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward celebrates his eight-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter.

Super Bowl XLV

Rashard Mendenhall runs past Packers linebacker Clay Matthews in the third quarter.

Super Bowl XLV

The Packers offense and the Steelers defense huddles up before a play in the third quarter.

Super Bowl XLV

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger scrambles from the pocket during the third quarter.

Super Bowl XLV

Rashard Mendenhall scores an eight-yard touchdown in the third quarter to draw the Steelers within a score at 21-17.

Super Bowl XLV

Steelers running back Rashad Mendenhall celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter.

Super Bowl XLV

Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings catches his second touchdown of the game to put Green Bay up 28-17 in the fourth quarter.

Super Bowl XLV

Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace stares down a Ben Roethlisberger pass before reeling in it for a 25-yard touchdown catch to make it 28-25 in the fourth quarter.

Super Bowl XLV

Green Bay kicker Mason Crosby drills a 23-yard field goal to put Green Bay up 31-25 late in the fourth quarter.

Super Bowl XLV

Packers cornerback Tramon Williams breaks up a Ben Roethlisberger pass intended for Mike Wallace to force a turnover on downs and seal a Super Bowl XLV victory for Green Bay.

Super Bowl XLV

Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings celebrates after Tramon Williams forced a turnover on downs to clinch Green Bay's Super Bowl title.

Super Bowl XLV

Packers coach Mike McCarthy receives a Gatorade bath after Green Bay wins Super Bowl XLV 31-25 over the Packers.

Super Bowl XLV

Packers linebacker Diyral Biggs holds up a newspaper celebrating the Packers' first Super Bowl title since the 1996-97.

Super Bowl XLV

A cluster of media swarms the field following the Packers' win.

Super Bowl XLV

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and teammates trot off the field following their Super Bowl defeat.

Super Bowl XLV

Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor walks off the field following his team's loss to the Packers.

Super Bowl XLV

With his trademark wrestling belt over his shoulder, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers holds up the Lombardi Trophy after Green Bay's win.

Super Bowl XLV

Clay Matthews and Aaron Rodgers celebrate on the podium following the Packers' 31-25 victory in Super Bowl XLV.

Published Feb 9, 2011

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