Super Bowl XL : PIT v. SEA

[WayzUp]

Pittsburgh Steelers v. Seattle Seahawks at Ford Field in Detroit, MI.

Bill Cowher v. Mike Holmgren

Ben Roethlisberger v. Matt Hasselbeck

Bettis/Parker v. Alexander

Great defense v. Great defense

Ward/Wilson/Randel El/Heath Miller v. Jackson/Jeruvicius/Engram/Stevens

AFC v. NFC

Who do you think will win? :cool:

[Djshockley3]

Go Seahawks I got 10 bucks on it!!!

[Foxman]

Go Seahawks I got 10 bucks on it!!!

Het DJ, wanna make that 15?

Lol, jk, I already have 5 bucks on the (1 man) Steel Curton AKA Troy Palamalu.

And honestly, I'm not a fan of either team, really, but I think Pittsburg proved last night that they are the most physically dominating team in the NFL. On the other side, the Seahawks proved they could cover Steve Smith. I expect Pittsburg to be the best fundamentally and mentally prepared in the superbowl. My pick.

It feels weird, actually. If someone told me that this would be the Superbowl matchup acouple months ago, I wouldn't believe them. I thought the Colts or Pats or Bears or somone would have a better chance of getting there than these two. But, hey, I'm not taking anything away from these two teams. They proved themselfves.

[JerryBeeds]

Go Steelers! I love Jerome Bettis and Bill Cowher. I would like to see The Bus walk away with a ring.

[jneesy]

GO STEELERS!!


now wheres that terry towel?

i feel like an iron city beer

[SeattleGamecocks]

If the Seahawks play like they did on Sunday, forget about it.

[GAMECOCK_FAN]

If the Seahawks play like they did on Sunday, forget about it.
If they both play like they did Sunday, it'll be one heck of a Super Bowl. Both teams basically played flawless football this past Sunday IMO.

[supergenius]

Shaun and the boys in a close one. Ask Carolina if Alexander is soft! RTR

[SeattleGamecocks]

The liberal media isn't giving us a chance.

[CockyTatGuy]

my buddy, who is a huge denver fan, and I a carolina fan were talking today. He said he wished that it would have been Denver/Carolina in the Super Bowl just for the fact that it would go on for 3 days and the score only be 6-6. I guess now I am gonna hafta pull for Big Ben to go ahead and take the ring.

[WayzUp]

Here's my pick:

Steelers: 31
Seahawks: 17

[Jordan]

Here's my pick:

Steelers: 31
Seahawks: 17
I think it will be a much closer game than that, or at least I hope it will. Especially for a game built up as big as this one, it would be a much better game to watch if it comes down to the wire to determine a winner.

Both teams have a pretty even shot at it, and I don't really give an edge to either team. Hopefully the Seahawks can pull it off though! :)

[WayzUp]

I think it will be a much closer game than that, or at least I hope it will. Especially for a game built up as big as this one, it would be a much better game to watch if it comes down to the wire to determine a winner.

Both teams have a pretty even shot at it, and I don't really give an edge to either team. Hopefully the Seahawks can pull it off though! :)
Yeah, it probably will be closer but I do think PIT will have an easier time controlling the tempo and momentum shifts than will SEA. The Seahawks need to create turnovers early & often to have a shot...plus, you see the fans there? I think I've seen maybe three SEA fans on NFL Countdown so far. PIT definitely will have something of a homefield advantage.

[fernandomike]

Yeah, it probably will be closer but I do think PIT will have an easier time controlling the tempo and momentum shifts than will SEA. The Seahawks need to create turnovers early & often to have a shot...plus, you see the fans there? I think I've seen maybe three SEA fans on NFL Countdown so far. PIT definitely will have something of a homefield advantage.

I hope you are right, WayZ. I am a lifelong Steelers fan, but I don't quite share your optimism. Hasselbeck has been awfully efficient lately and will be tough to stop with Alexander also occupying so much of the defense's attention. I have no idea who will win, but I expect it to be a close one.

[WayzUp]

I hope you are right, WayZ. I am a lifelong Steelers fan, but I don't quite share your optimism. Hasselbeck has been awfully efficient lately and will be tough to stop with Alexander also occupying so much of the defense's attention. I have no idea who will win, but I expect it to be a close one.
SEA's division featured Arizona, San Fran and St. Louis...not exactly the toughest teams in the world to have to play twice each throughout the season. In effect, SEA got 6 byes! :D PIT, on the other hand, had to deal with Cincinnati, Baltimore & Cleveland. Now I konw the Browns are anything to brag about but Romeo Crennel had those guys playing much more physical football this year.

Through the course of the year, PIT has been put through more of a week-in, week-out test than SEA has and the run they went on to get into and through the playoffs??? :eek: I'm tellin' you nando...this team is on a mission and they're not about to fall asleep to this "we're not getting enough respect" BS the Seahawks are pushin'. They're going to look at Alexander as a challenge & contain him (as they have every 1400+ back they've faced in the playoffs thus far), put pressure on Hasselbeck (as they have every Pro Bowl QB they've faced in the playoffs thus far), force them to throw and make them one dimensional...just as they have every team they've faced in the playoffs thus far. Unless some freaky things happen on special teams or calls such as we saw in the INDY game, this game will not be close.

[AUTiger94]

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that the Steelers have the greatest fans in the NFL. ATL has been dubbed a College sports town and w/ good reason, but driving around town today there were Steeler flags flying on cars and people everywhere wearing Steelers jerseys.We have a lot of transplants from the Pittsburgh area. They support their team regardless and always bring the noise. That is more than I can say for my Falcons. For that reason I'm pulling hard for the Steelers. I remember not too long ago Seahawks fans going to the King Dome disguised as empty seats. Go Steelers! I salute your passion!

[UA0509]

that had to be the all time worst officiated game ive ever seen.

i dont care how many times i hear that pitt won today, im not ever going to admit it.

the refs screwed this game up BADLY.

i really hope the officiating in this game gets looked into

[autiger1126]

I'm gonna say congrats to Pittsburgh. They got the job done when they needed to. Seattle blew a lot of opportunities. The ref's did suck, but I think Seattle still lost the game on their own.

[WayzUp]

that had to be the all time worst officiated game ive ever seen.

i dont care how many times i hear that pitt won today, im not ever going to admit it.

the refs screwed this game up BADLY.

i really hope the officiating in this game gets looked into
The D-Jax pushoff in the 1st quarter was pretty chincy when you look at it in slow motion but in real speed, it did look like more of a pushoff than it probably was. The ref had to call it. The only other real bad call was maybe the Hasselbeck personal foul after that pick he threw but other than that, I thought it was a pretty well called game. I can see how a SEA fan would be upset at the holding calls on PIT's OLB's when they got around the corner but you cannot put a stranglehold on a guys neck and bring him down...it's not grabbing the jersey but it's still holding.

And if you're referring to whether Roethlisberger was in or not, he was. :cool:

[WayzUp]

I'm gonna say congrats to Pittsburgh. They got the job done when they needed to. Seattle blew a lot of opportunities. The ref's did suck, but I think Seattle still lost the game on their own.
Yeah they did...that was the worst clock management I've seen in a Super Bowl ever by any team and I've seen every one since 1979. It was like they never ran a 2 minute drill all year, it was crazy how much time they wasted at the end of both halves. I would have thought Hasselbeck would be able to handle those situations a lot better than he did.

[GAMECOCK_FAN]

And if you're referring to whether Roethlisberger was in or not, he was. :cool:
I agree. It looked like the ball crossed the plain of the goal line just before he went to the ground. This was a good game to watch. I really didn't have a preference on who won, so I was just hoping to see a close game. And, that it was. :cool:

[RW13]

Wow, I haven't been as bored during a super bowl since 2001 (Giants v. Ravens), I didn't care which team won (although I'm glad Duce Staley got a ring, as well as hines ward), the past 2 super bowl have blown ass...., Give me Rams v. Titans 2000.....

[SPURED]

im just really happy for the Bus! what a way to end a magnificent career. also glad to see a south carolinian/ Rock Hill BearCat get a ring. that was a pretty good game. was Alexander injured or something because he didnt do ANYTHING against that Steeler D :D

[SeattleGamecocks]

Looking thru blue & green lenses, I feel like the better team gave the game away. The biggest play of the game was the 3rd & 28 lame duck pass that turned the game around. Ken Hamlin better not go to a night club all season next year. We were dominating (w/ nothing to show for it) up to that point.

Begrudgingly I say Congratulations to the Steelers, especially Bettis & Cowher.

[fernandomike]

I agree. It looked like the ball crossed the plain of the goal line just before he went to the ground. This was a good game to watch. I really didn't have a preference on who won, so I was just hoping to see a close game. And, that it was. :cool:

I am not sure whether the ball crossed or not, but after it was called a TD, there was no way that the officials could have overturned that. It was a matter of an inch or two either way at most.
The pass interference call was totally legitimate. Jackson's push was fairly subtle, but it no doubt gave him the separation that he needed to make the catch. Overall, the refs did okay. Those two "controversial" calls in Pittsburgh's favor are being overblown a bit if you ask me.
Seattle simply let this one get away. They pushed the Steelers around in the early going, but had little to show for it. You just can't have that many wasted opportunities against a good team. All their punts sailed into the end zone, their good returns were called back by penalties, they missed field goals and dropped passes. They had the Steelers on the ropes early, but let them stay in it, and that more than the refs cost the Seahawks the game.

[supergenius]

The officiating was horrid and that is being kind. Pitt's right tackle held all night long, the pass interference call was a joke, the penalty on Hasselbeck was maybe the worst call of the season, and the phantom hold on the big return was more than questionable. Congrats to Pitt. however.

RTR

[GAMECOCK_FAN]

I am not sure whether the ball crossed or not, but after it was called a TD, there was no way that the officials could have overturned that. It was a matter of an inch or two either way at most.
The pass interference call was totally legitimate. Jackson's push was fairly subtle, but it no doubt gave him the separation that he needed to make the catch. Overall, the refs did okay. Those two "controversial" calls in Pittsburgh's favor are being overblown a bit if you ask me.
Seattle simply let this one get away. They pushed the Steelers around in the early going, but had little to show for it. You just can't have that many wasted opportunities against a good team. All their punts sailed into the end zone, their good returns were called back by penalties, they missed field goals and dropped passes. They had the Steelers on the ropes early, but let them stay in it, and that more than the refs cost the Seahawks the game.
Good post, and I agree. Looking at the replay, I felt like the tip of the ball looked like it got to the plain of the goal line (which by definition is a TD). When the officials were reviewing it, I told my wife that I didn't see how they could overturn it based on the replay. However, I also told her, that if they had not called it a TD, I didn't think they could conclusively say that it was a TD either (and would not have overturned that call either).

Bottom line....either way the refs called it on the field, the call should not have been overturned. Even when the official announced that the TD was good, he phrased it as to say that the call on the field stands, period. He didn't say that the ball conclusively met or crossed the goal line. Many times they confirm that they made the correct call (e.g., the ball crossed the goal line and the call on the field stands, or the player got both feet in bounds and the pass is ruled a completion). In this case, they simply said that the call on the field stands. In other words, I don't believe he could conclusively say TD or no TD based on the replay, and either call would have stood.

[supergenius]

im just really happy for the Bus! what a way to end a magnificent career. also glad to see a south carolinian/ Rock Hill BearCat get a ring. that was a pretty good game. was Alexander injured or something because he didnt do ANYTHING against that Steeler D :D
Were you drunk during the game?
Alexander-- 21 Carries, 95 Yards, 4.8 yd average. Not too shabby.

RTR

[rebeldude]

Boring, Boring, Boring, and Rothlesberger proved why he was a better pick than Eli Manning. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[SPURED]

Were you drunk during the game?
Alexander-- 21 Carries, 95 Yards, 4.8 yd average. Not too shabby.

RTR
ok he had descent numbers but look at Parkers Numbers, 10 carries, 93 yards, 9.3 yd average, 1 td. Parker only had 2 yards less than Alexander but everything else was better. you cant say Pitts defense is better because both D's are pretty darn good. wouldnt anyone expect Mr. Touchdown/MVP to have better numbers and be more of a factor in the game? he was pretty much a non factor the whole game. the only Offensive players that really looked good for the seahawks were Hasselbeck and the Oline.

the only difference i saw between the two teams where seattle gave up more Big plays. the D on both sides were Good and the O on both sides pretty much sucked. the only Difference was Steelers 3 HUGE plays. the penalties were costly but if seattle hadnt given up those 3 big plays they would have easily won the game. all three led to Pittsburg TD's. take those away and you have yourself a shut out. My favorite play was the Big Ben toss too Ward. he was soooo close to stepping over the line of scrimage and ward did an outstanding job at blocking the defender from the ball and hauling it in. i would have given him the MVP just because of that play.

[supergenius]

ok he had descent numbers but look at Parkers Numbers, 10 carries, 93 yards, 9.3 yd average, 1 td. Parker only had 2 yards less than Alexander but everything else was better. you cant say Pitts defense is better because both D's are pretty darn good. wouldnt anyone expect Mr. Touchdown/MVP to have better numbers and be more of a factor in the game? he was pretty much a non factor the whole game. the only Offensive players that really looked good for the seahawks were Hasselbeck and the Oline.

the only difference i saw between the two teams where seattle gave up more Big plays. the D on both sides were Good and the O on both sides pretty much sucked. the only Difference was Steelers 3 HUGE plays. the penalties were costly but if seattle hadnt given up those 3 big plays they would have easily won the game. all three led to Pittsburg TD's. take those away and you have yourself a shut out. My favorite play was the Big Ben toss too Ward. he was soooo close to stepping over the line of scrimage and ward did an outstanding job at blocking the defender from the ball and hauling it in. i would have given him the MVP just because of that play.

Take away Parker's 75 yard run and he had 18 yards on 9 carries.

RTR

[Cianne]

Take away Parker's 75 yard run and he had 18 yards on 9 carries.

RTR

Take away all of Alexander's big runs during the regular season and he doesn't win the rushing title. You know that argument is bogus.

[azamugg]

Take away Parker's 75 yard run and he had 18 yards on 9 carries.

RTR


thank you SG! does it take someone to tell these people stuff like that?

[azamugg]

Take away all of Alexander's big runs during the regular season and he doesn't win the rushing title. You know that argument is bogus.

a rushing title indicates his season was not based on a few big plays Cianne where in a given nite a players stats can be based on a big play or not.....SG, not being a homer, merely said Alexander had 98 yards because the Spurred said Alexander was a non factor

[Cianne]

a rushing title indicates his season was not based on a few big plays Cianne where in a given nite a players stats can be based on a big play or not.....SG, not being a homer, merely said Alexander had 98 yards because the Spurred said Alexander was a non factor

Well Alexander was a relative non-factor. He had a really good game but did not do anything spectacular which was needed to overcome Jeramy Stevens stone hands.

Also, your assessment of the rushing title is not entirely accurate. Example, take both Tiki Barber and Alexander 95 yards, 59 yards, 55 yards, 55 yards, 49 yards. That's 258 yards on five carries off what would definitely be considered big plays correct (I'm saying anything 40 yards or more would be a "big play")? Alexander has 225 on four carries. Big plays are part of the game and can't be discounted.

[azamugg]

Well Alexander was a relative non-factor. He had a really good game but did not do anything spectacular which was needed to overcome Jeramy Stevens stone hands.

Also, your assessment of the rushing title is not entirely accurate. Example, take both Tiki Barber and Alexander 95 yards, 59 yards, 55 yards, 55 yards, 49 yards. That's 258 yards on five carries off what would definitely be considered big plays correct (I'm saying anything 40 yards or more would be a "big play")? Alexander has 225 on four carries. Big plays are part of the game and can't be discounted.

of course big plays are a part of the game, I meant that an over 1,800 yard season shows consistency and not just a few big plays.

[WayzUp]

Were you drunk during the game?
Alexander-- 21 Carries, 95 Yards, 4.8 yd average. Not too shabby.

RTR
Take away that one 21 yard gain against PIT's dime defense and those numbers were on par with the other Pro Bowl backs the Steelers limited to half their regular season averages through their playoff run. Shaun Alexander wasn't a factor at any point in that game. Not even close, actually.

But he did have one helluva season and he deserves every bit of the contract he's about to sign this off-season, that's a fact. I really hope he ends up back in Seattle....there's no reason they shouldn't be able to make just as hard a run at the trophy next year and they won't be able to do it with Maurice Morris handling the running back duties.

[WayzUp]

Boring, Boring, Boring, and Rothlesberger proved why he was a better pick than Eli Manning. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
Maybe he didn't have the best game but he had a great run in the playoffs (outperformed Peyton, Carson and Jake on the way) and he now has a ring to show for it. Eli can't hold Ben's duffel bag at this point...and with Tiki Barber, Jeremy Shockey, Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer surrounding him, he doesn't have too many excuses....