What Can The Chiefs Learn From The 2011 Super Bowl Teams?

We mentioned this the start of the AFC and NFC Championship games on Sunday but the formula for the most successful teams this year has been a great defense plus a great quarterback (even if they don't play like a great quarterback). The Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers will meet in the 2011 Super Bowl and they have both of those.

The Steelers are the No. 1 ranked defense in the NFL while the Packers are No. 2. Both know how to attack the passer with outstanding outside linebackers in the 3-4 defense. They'll never be the Steelers but the Chiefs defense is built in a similar manner. They've got a strong pass rusher in LB Tamba Hali and finished the year with the league's 11th ranked defense.

Both the Steelers and Packers also have a top quarterback in Ben Roethlisberger and Aaron Rodgers. Roethlisberger didn't have his best game completing just 10-of-19 passes for 133 yards but he still had a valuable role. Like QB Matt Cassel showed at times last year, you can still be valuable even if you're not putting up 300 yards and three touchdowns.

For the Chiefs, I think the defensive part of this equation is on its way. They may never have the James Harrisons and LaMarr Woodleys sacking the quarterback but the defense is turning into a very good unit. As for Cassel, he's not on Roethlisberger or Rodgers' level yet but he made a huge leap last season. You can see the seeds of this championship formula in the Chiefs.

So what I'm taking out of these Super Bowl teams is a strong defense and an elite quarterback. Anything else that jumps out at you?