Reader's Guide to Super Bowl XLV (#SB45)

(On left: Pittsburgh Steelers fan; On right: Green Bay Packers fan (Left: Gene J. Puskar/Right: Doug Pensinger)

The Early Lead will be your destination for live blogging and tweeting come game day -- follow along using #SB45 on Twitter. But in the meantime, here's a pre-game roundup to everything -- and we mean everything-- relating to Super Bowl XLV.

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STORIES:

Mark Maske and Rick Maese are reporting from Texas this weekend. Our complete coverage:

Feb. 6, 2011:

Packers hold off Steelers, 31-25, for fourth Super Bowl title From Mark Maske: MVP Aaron Rodgers throws three touchdown passes as the Packers win their 13th NFL title overall and hand the Steelers only their second defeat in eight Super Bowl appearances.

Rodgers cements a legacy of his own From Mike Wise: With a chance to get out of Brett Favre's shadow once and for all, and with Ben Roethlisberger working his comeback magic yet again, the Packers QB seizes the moment.

Packers' defense turns the tide with turnovers From Rick Maese: Green Bay overcomes injuries with three game-changing plays that lead to 21 of its team's points.

Super Bowl Sunday, minute by minute From Norman Chad: Eight hours and five minutes in front of the TV with the Couch Slouch.

TV review: Mangled 'Banner,' bland Peas and all those ads From Hank Stuever: The telecast, the halftime show, the commercials and all else that makes up the annual American CAT scan called the Super Bowl.

Feb 5, 2011:

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers has the monkey on his back From Mike Wise: The monkey on the back of Packers QB Aaron Rodgers is one Steve Young knows well. Only one way to get it off: Win on Sunday.

Cowboys' Jerry Jones is center of attention during Super Bowl week From Rick Maese: Jerry Jones is at the center of Super Bowl week, hosting parties and granting interviews around the clock. Unfortunately for him there is only one thing missing - his team.

Ex-Redskin is among those elected to Hall of Fame From Mark Maske: Former Redskins linebacker Chris Hanburger is among seven players inducted into the NFL's Hall of Fame, including Deion Sanders and Marshall Faulk.

Smarter Stats previews the big matchup

Feb 4, 2011:

Super Bowl Sunday: For Vegas gambling 'sharps,' it's the year's busiest workday From Dan Steinberg: For Rufus Peabody, the Super Bowl's mundane first touchdown or inconsequential final field goal won't decide whether he wins a $100 squares pool or treats his office-mates to pizza Monday afternoon. If the game goes well, Peabody's annual income could spike by tens of thousands of dollars. If things go poorly, his net worth could plummet.

Super Bowl: Green Bay Packers Coach Mike McCarthy splits loyalties of Pittsburgh home From Barry Svrluga: "When people would ask you where you were from, instead of saying 'Pittsburgh,' you said, 'I'm from Greenfield,' " McCarthy said this week in Arlington, Tex., where he will coach the Packers against his hometown Steelers on Sunday evening. "There was such a pride, and it was such a tight-knit community. It's clearly a big part of who I am today."

Super Bowl live: Donald Driver will play; Packers like 'Hoosiers'

Super Bowl live: Mike Tomlin says Maurkice Pouncey decision will come after practice Pittsburgh Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin offered an ever-so-slight update on the condition of center Maurkice Pouncey in his final and very brief formal press conference before Super Bowl XLV.

WATCH:Green Bay-bies may win battle with Pittsburgh newborns.

What were the best moments from Super Bowl Sundays past? From anthems to commercials to, well, the infamous 'nip slip,' Celebritology wants to know which moments stuck with you. (For the record, they think Prince had the best halftime show.)

Feb. 3, 2011:

Goodell, Smith set to kick off NFL labor negotiations ahead of Super Bowl Mark Maske is reporting from Dallas. Click here for more.

Five myths about the Super Bowl. Myth #1: The game wasn't called the "Super Bowl" until 1969. (It was actually 1967.)

Take a look at Early Lead's Super Bowl XLV coverage. The latest: Michael Vick won't attend his Friday night party in Dallas. Also check out live blogging from this morning's Green Bay Packers availability.

"We've been putting up with this nonsense for XLIV years." Is it time to do away with Roman Numerals? Tracee Hamilton thinks so.

This weekend, the Pittsburgh Steelers' 38-year-old head coach will try to become the 13th coach in NFL history to win at least two Super Bowl rings. Read Rick Maese's story on Mike Tomlin.

Want breaking NFL news as it happens?The latest from Mark Maske: Walt Anderson was appointed the referee for the Super Bowl.

Feb 2, 2011:

Super Bowl: Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison stays in the spotlight for his hard hits Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison was fined $100,000 this season, sparking an enduring conflict between his team and the league over how the rules were enforced.

Earlier this week:

Super Bowl: Ben Roethlisberger and Aaron Rodgers look to add to their legacies

Super Bowl XLV: Troy Polamalu and Clay Matthews, long hair will be on display

NFL faces uncertain offseason as labor strife complicates trades, free agency

Ben Roethlisberger's redemption on the field doesn't mean he's a changed person off it

FESTIVITIES:

Where to watch the game, what to eat, how to speak.

Find a spot to watch the game in D.C. (If you're looking to heckle others in person, Hawk and Dove and The Pour House are side-by-side and will host Packers and Steelers fans, respectively.)

Find a recipe. This year's Super Bowl Smackdown was about eating healthy. You can view healthy recipes here, and, well, the rest of us will check out guac, chili and wings options.

Bone up on your Super Bowl speak. Whether you're rooting for 'The Pack' or the 'Stillers,' one thing is clear: this might end up being the most confounding Super Bowl matchup ever, linguistically speaking.

CHATTER:

Sound off on your picks for Sunday with our reporters.

Chat about the big game Friday at 9:30 a.m. with Tracee Hamilton and Mark Maske, or with Rick Maese Friday at noon. Take your pick.

Which team will leave Texas as champions? The League is hosting a panel, and here's the poll.

COMMERCIALS:

Here's a handful, and here are the rest. Which is your favorite? Let us know with this poll or on Twitter: Tweet

TWITTER:

Connect with the reporters mentioned in this post.