The Redskins can learn a lot from the Super Bowl-bound Steelers and Packers. (Photo: Associated Press)

The Super Bowl is set with the Pittsburgh Steelers will face the Green Bay Packers on Feb. 6 in Dallas. It will be the NFL record-tying eighth Super Bowl appearance for the Steelers and the fifth appearance for the Packers.

This will be the Steelers' third trip to the Super Bowl in the last six years, and the Packers’ third trip since 1996. The Redskins, meanwhile, haven’t reached the Super Bowl since 1991 and have made the playoffs only four times since then.

No doubt Mike Shanahan & Co. have been and will be watching these two teams very closely two weeks from now. They're likely taking a fair amount of notes as well.

Here are five lessons the rebuilding Redskins can learn from the Packers and Steelers:

1.) Run the 3-4 defense
As far as this first lesson, the Redskins are already on their way. Shanahan and defensive coordinator Jim Haslett installed the 3-4 defense last season despite the fact that Washington didn’t have all of the pieces needed to execute it effectively. They envision a finished product that very closely resembles the systems that the Packers and Steelers run, and basically have patterned the Redskins’ schemes after them. As you can see by watching the Steelers and Packers, the 3-4 lends itself to more unpredictability and flexibility. It’s harder for an offense to tell where the pressure is coming from when they’re facing a good, aggressive 3-4. And that brings us to the next lesson . . .

2.) Add playmakers
Watching the Packers and Steelers yesterday, Redskins fans probably saw some familiar formations and schemes on defense. The difference was, the Packers and Steelers both have the dominant nose tackles and the speed and versatility on the edges that it takes to make the 3-4 work. The Redskins obviously need more playmakers. Without significant upgrades this offseason, Washington can’t expect to take many steps forward in the 3-4 in 2011.

3.) Emphasize the draft
For years the Redskins have shipped out draft picks in exchange for veterans that many times have been past their prime, and because of that, they have had fewer draft picks at their disposal, and that means limited building blocks for the long-term. You probably noticed key contributions by young players on both sides of the ball for Green Bay and Pittsburgh. Both teams have had at least seven picks in each of the last three drafts. In 2009, the Steelers had nine draft picks and 2010 featured 10 draft picks. The Packers built their foundation with nine picks in 2008, eight in ’09 and seven in ’10.

4.) Get a franchise QB
A team can experience some success with a game-managing quarterback (see Ravens/Trent Dilfer, 2001) but the teams that are legitimate contenders on an annual basis are teams that have elite quarterbacks. The Steelers and Packers drafted their passers, groomed them in two different ways (Pittsburgh gave Roethlisberger the reins from Day 1, Green Bay sat Rodgers for three seasons then scrapped Favre) but the results are the same. There’s no question what’s going to happen with the game on the line. Those quarterbacks are going to put their team on their shoulders. The Redskins don’t have that guy yet.

5.) Get a mobile QB
When the Redskins are looking for their franchise quarterback, they should make sure he has good mobility. He doesn’t have to be Michael Vick. But he can’t be a statue. Not in today’s NFL where defensive ends and linebackers run 4.4 40’s and are so athletic. As you saw, the Jets were able to disarm statuesque quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. Roethlisberger, meanwhile, was able to extend plays with his feet and then find the open receiver. Or if he was flushed from the pocket with open field in front of him, he is able to take off. The same goes for Rodgers. His mobility isn’t something that often comes to mind, but he too is able to avoid blitzers, buy his receivers some time or run for key gains. He averages 5.4 yards a carry when he has to tuck the ball and run. Big Ben averages 5.2 yards a carry. Mobility to go with that franchise arm is a must.