One day until Superbowl XL. Through all the breakdowns, analysis and comparisons of the Seattle Seahawks and Pittsburgh Steelers these past two weeks, nobody can convincingly argue why one team is better and should win the game. Everyone has an opinion but it seems all agree that it's anyones game.
The two deciding factors I've been hearing and agree with that will determine the winner are Quarterback play and Defense, which has been the theme for winning throughout the playoffs this season.
The X factor is the Offensive Line. If any team can get their running game going against the tough opposing defense, that could decide the outcome of the game.
I heard a radio interview with Hall of Famer Bubba Smith yesterday on KNBR680. Bubba, slow in speech yet still sharp in his analysis of football, said something I haven't heard anyone else point out. Bubba said that Pittsburgh hasn't seen an offensive line like Seattle's all season. Bubba pointed out that the Indianapolis Colts offensive line was good, however their offensive philosophy of passing first to set up the run allowed Pittsburgh to blitz often and drop their linebackers back into coverage. If I recall, the Indianapolis offense began clicking when Edgerrin James started getting the ball more. Seattle, with MVP RB Shaun Alexander, runs to setup the pass and their QB Hassleback has been very successful spreading the ball around to different receivers. If Mike Holmgren can win with running the ball he'll run it ninety-five percent of the time but since later in the season and into the playoffs Holmgren has shown more confidence in allowing his quarterback to throw the ball on plays that he'd traditionally call a running play.
For Pittsburgh to win they need Ben Rothlisburger to have a solid, mistake free game against a legitimate defense. Pittsburgh must get their playmaker Randal-EL involved in the game giving him a chance to make a big play. The Pittsburgh special teams could possibly save the day for them.
So that brings us to my pick.
As much as I want to see Jerome "The Bus" Bettis go out winning it all in his hometown with family and friends present, I'm picking the Seattle Seahawks to win Superbowl XL. The Pittsburh Steelers are a great organization from top to bottom, their fans are second best in the league to us Raiders fans and they're a blue collar team. But I believe that the Seahawk offense will put more points on the board than the Pittsburgh offense, thus establishing what is called in football a Win.
There is one other factor I had to figure in in making my decision; the one week bye between the championship games and the Superbowl is Pittsburgh's first in this years playoffs while Seattle had one in the first week of the wildcard round coming back to beat a tough Washington Redskins defense. How will the bye affect the Steelers, whose last bye was in week four of the regular season? And can the Seahawks defense capitalize early off an out-of-synch and/or cold Steelers offense?
This is why we watch the games!
Seahawks 28
Steelers 20
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