Steelers 27, Seattle 17.
That’s my prediction. It may be wrong, it’s certainly not what the experts are predicting (Steelers by 4), but I have another bet that I’m much more willing to put money on: at least half of the people who watch the Super Bowl game this Sunday will think that they know more about football than both Bill Cowher, the Pittsburgh coach, and Mike Holmgren, his Seattle counterpart, combined.
It’s a tradition as certain as the Budweiser Clydesdales, over the top ABC graphics, and inane comments from John Madden that every football fan thinks he or she knows which players should be in and what plays should be called. If you’re planning on going to a Super Bowl party, prepare yourself for these wanna-be-experts. But how can you deal with them if you don’t exactly know the match-up? Well read on.
This year is Super Bowl XL (40) and it will be played by the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Seattle Seahawks at Ford Field in Detroit.
The Steelers won the American Football Conference (AFC) championship game two weeks ago when they beat the Denver Broncos 35-7. That was the Steelers seventh consecutive victory, with their last five occurring on the road, which is one of the big reasons they are favored in the match. During the regular season (as opposed to post-season, which is now) the Steelers were playing well, but not like champions. Their record was 11-5 and they entered the playoffs as the number 6 seed (which makes them the lowest ranked team to ever make it to the Super Bowl).
Conversely, the Seahawks have been highly ranked all season, finishing the regular season with a13-3 record, and with all three losses occurring on the road. On January 22, the Seahawks crushed the Carolina Panthers, 34-14, in the National Football Conference (NFC) championship game. That qualified Seattle for its first Super Bowl experience since the team entered the NFL 30 years ago, although Holmgren, the teams coach, took the Green Bay Packers to the Super Bowl while he was the Packers’ head coach.
The game is expected to be pass-heavy as both teams have strong receivers and accurate quarterbacks. During the regular season, Ben Rothelisberger (Pittsburgh’s QB) threw over 2,250 yards and completed 17 touchdown passess. Seattle similarly relied on former Boston College quarterback Matt Hasselbeck who accounted for 3,459 yards and 24 touchdowns. The teams’ leading rushers, Willie Parker of Pittsburgh and NFL MVP Shaun Alexander of Seattle, gained 1,067 and 1880 yards rushing, respectively.
The team that captures the Vince Lombardi Trophy (the award given to the Super Bowl winner), will have stayed with their proven pass plays and managed to keep the other team from not only making the big plays, but also preventing the short yardage gains that can put them into the “red zone”, the last area between the goal line and the 20 yard line.
So as I said in the beginning, my prediction is Steelers 27, Seahawks 17. I’m sure other “experts” will disagree. But now, what do you think?
-end MH-
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