Well it's that time again. Time to get all your friends together to watch the big game. Aka that thing that's on in between all the commercials. Seriously, if the Super Bowl wasn't the offical coming out party for new commericals would anybody not in Seattle or Pittsburh even watch? Maybe if they were in an office box pool. But other than that probably not.
Such is American football. It's our national pastime, sorry baseball, and yet it only is because of point spreads, commercials, and the fantasy sports craze. The actual game, aside from the occasional bone jarring hit isn't even that exciting. Come on don't look at me like that. You can't actually think that watching two 300 pound lineman pushing each other around is a great sport. If you like that why not just watch sumo wrestling. Trust me ordering the Direct TV sumo package would be a whole hell of a lot cheaper than the Sunday NFL ticket.
Anyway since so many people do care I might as well make my world renowned Shames-o-matic prediction. Unfortunately for my reputation this is a hard game to predict. I can envision scenarios under which both teams can win. First off, the Seahawks were 13-3 and the NFC's #1 seed and yet find themselves as underdogs to the AFC's 6th seed. That disrespect factor could fire up the whole team and inspire them to the victory. It doesn't hurt that they have the NFL MVP running the ball for them, a very good QB in Matt Hasselback and a highly underrated defense that can take over the game.
On the other hand the Steelers are playing inspired ball themselves trying to win one for the thumb while alse sending Jerome Bettis off into the sunset with a ring in his hometown. They also have the Patriots factor going for them. What I mean by that is that the Patriots ran out onto the field as one unit instead of coming out to individual player introductions when they won against the Rams.
In terms of inspirational coaching decisions the Steelers have decided to play in their road uniforms to continue their theme of being road warriors, having to win three times on the road just to get to the Super Bowl. They've been playing their best ball with their back to the wall so it makes sense that they would volunteer to do that again. The only question that remains is which inspirational factor and storyline will prevail? Will it be the road warrior Steelers with Big Ben and the Bus? Or the disrespected Seahawks with the 12th man in their corner? I honestly don't know.
The scenario that keeps playing out the most in my head is that the Steelers dominate the game physically. Play smash mouth football and run the ball down the Seahawks throats. They go up big late, say 10 points with 6 minutes left, and decide on a 4th and 1 from the Seahawks 40 to go for the first down rather than try a long field goal or poach punt. Bettis gets stuffed, the Seahawks take over on downs score a quick TD, recover the onside kick, hit the game tying field goal with 5 seconds left and send the game into over time. They then win the coin flip with QB Matt Hasselbeck talking trash to Steelers' LB Joey Porter while the coin is in the air to set the tone for the OT. In OT, Shaun Alexander claims the MVP with a game winning 60 yard run that goes down in history as one of the greatest individual efforts ever. Alexander finishes with 2 touchdowns and 208 yards.
In short, the Steelers dominant but choke and the Seahawks pull off the upset. Now what say you to that?
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