Super Bowl XL

CamLwalk · #1 01-31-2006, 03:24 AM

Superbowl XL

Steelers giving 4 to Seahawks (in Detroit) -- I think this one is gonna be a classic. Both these teams really match up well against each other in a lot of areas and I'm looking forward to a special Superbowl. I've been stewing on this all week and I'm ready to say -- Seattle. I've watched Seattle more and more as the season progressed and I keep coming back to that offensive line. Wow! Walter Jones, Steve Hutchinson, Robbie Tobeck, Chris Gray, and Sean Locklear. Spend some plays this week watching the game through the lens that I look through --- watch the ball peripherally but focus on the O-line/D-line battle. When Seattle runs, watch big #71 and #76. When Hassleback drops back to pass, keep an eye on #38 Mack Strong....he'll be the one taking out the Steeler blitzer. Blocking, blocking, blocking. That's how they got here....it's not Alexander (though, of course, when you go to the trouble of creating lanes like that, it's great to have somebody who can hit them hard then make secondary defenders miss). To me, this has been the season of the O-line. Teams that slipped this season almost always got exposed right up front. Dallas loses Flozell mid-season...not so sharp 2nd half. Pats lose Light....all the sudden Brady doesn't have the time to work his magic like last year. Redskins lose Randy Thomas week 17....Clinton's lanes all dry up. Jets lose Mawae...none of their quarterbacks stay healthy and Curtis has a crappy year. I could go on. Both these teams have great, great offensive line play, but I give Seattle an edge here. One key for Seattle is not to over-scheme against Palamuo. The Colts and maybe the Broncos were guilty of this. He's a great player, and you gotta account for him but too often he doesn't blitz and doubles your primary or just takes the deep 3rd. If he blitzes, he blitzes. Gotta trust Mack (plus Hassleback has a veteran's feel as far as being elusive and making quick dump offs). I look for the Seahawks to be able to string together some long, grinding drives....and that's why I'm picking them. Of course, there's some important stuff that leans Steeltown's way. They can string together long, grinding drives too. They have better special teams than Seattle. Their defense is unbelievable....smart, aggressive, fast, and atheletic. Everything you look for in a defense that can take you deep into the playoffs (and that's why most are picking them). But....I think the Seahawks have that kind of defense too. They've played some awesome defensive games this season....against Dallas, NYGiants, Panthers, Redskins (twice), Philly. Seattle's D is undersized, but smart and smothering. It feels like their D is peaking right now. Not to take anything away from the Steelers' play lately, but I gotta point out they've been getting more than their share of breaks and lucky bounces lately. I have a strong hunch that won't be the case Sunday. Worth noting.....underdog has covered last 3 Superbowls, and the spread just jumped to 4.5 on some sites. I'll be rooting for Cowler and co. and I really do hope I'm wrong but...take the points.

C-7 · #2 01-31-2006, 05:26 AM

Nice post.

A lot of people said these playoffs were going to be amazing, plenty of well-matched teams on both sides of the ball, and that this would make for some very exciting games. But guess what, the only good game was the Skins @ Bucs, and that ended 17-10.

I hope it's a good game, but I believe the Steelers will dominate from the opening kickoff to the final whistle.

CamLwalk · #3 02-05-2006, 09:58 AM

I woke up this morning with the score in my head.

Seahawks - 24
Steelers - 17

CornerBlitz · #4 02-05-2006, 12:51 PM

I truly believe that the Seahawks will win this game. They are still underrated after winning so many games and didnt lose a single game at home. Of course superbowl XL is not being played in Seattle and the crowd will be mostly pulling for the Steelers but I predict mistakes will cost the Steelers the game and consistant passing by Hasselbeck will prevail. Final Score....

Seahawks- 24
Steelers- 17

EDIT: just noticed same as GottaJibbooo

SkinsASchamps · #5 02-05-2006, 01:26 PM

I want the seahawks to win but I think the steelers will win in a shootout.

42-38 steelers.

GWBlitzST · #6 02-05-2006, 02:42 PM

Steelers win by 12 when the 3-4 defense stymies the Hawks' west coast style of offense. I really think the 3-4 was made to stop the Walsh system, and the Cowboys pretty much shut them down earlier in the year with that defense. Dallas wins that game if Bledsoe wasn't such a choker.