Scots Sports
3 February 2005
Volume 118, Number 11
Oh Lordy Super Bowl Forty
Steelers v. Seahawks the face-off in Super Bowl XL
by Ian Van Anden
Asst Sports Editor
Super Bowl XL is upon the nation. After months of anticipation and countless broken hearts, the end of the 2005-2006 National Football League season will come to a close Sunday Feb.5.
The season started with much speculation that somehow the New England Patriots would pull of yet another Super Bowl run. Either that, or the Indianapolis Colts would finally break through and claim the Lombardi Trophy as their own.
As always, this year's NFL season did not disappoint. There were countless surprises as well as unbelievable letdowns.
This year's playoffs have been no different. Right down to the final week of the season, the playoff picture remained fuzzy, well at least in the NFC, with only six spots per division and as many as eight teams fighting to keep their season alive.
The AFC was a set gig, six teams knew they were in: Colts, Denver Broncos, Patriots, Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars, and don't forget about the eventual AFC Champion Pittsburgh Steelers.
The NFC playoff picture remained a mystery to most entering the 17th week of the season. The teams that had already punched their ticket by the final week were: the Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks.
The other teams hunting for postseason berths were the Washington Redskins, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Carolina Panthers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. One team was going to be sent home to watch from the proverbial couch.
The Cowboys were the only team that needed help; the rest just needed to win to get in. The Cowboys would know at kickoff of their final game whether they were playoff potentials or playoff couch potatoes.
Well everyone in the NFC who needed to win EXCEPT, of course, this
editors beloved Cowboys who embarrassed themselves against the
hapless St. Louis Rams.
So the playoff picture was set and the games looked to be promising.
Early picks had the Colts and Seahawks as the favorites to win it
all in their respective division; however the NFL is never one to
follow predictions.
The Wild Card Weekend saw all four road teams win. As the Giants, Buccaneers, Jaguars and Begnals all fell despite having home field advantage. A feat that just added to the excitement that is the NFL Playoffs.
The following week saw some outstanding games in the divisional
playoffs. Sunday, however, the Bears lost a heart breaker to the
Panthers in a game where everything seemed to fall Carolina's way.
And in possibly the most dramatic game of the weekend, the Steelers
ended Payton Manning and the Colts dream for glory. With the game
all but over, savvy veteran Jerome "The Bus" Bettis fumbled inside
the Colts 5 yard line. Colts defensive back Nick Harper scooped up
the loose ball and returned it beyond midfield.
This game changing turnover seemed to ensure that the Colts dreams of a Super Bowl title were still within grasp. However, their usually consistent place kicker Mike Vanderjagt missed the game tying 46-yard field goal which would have sent the game into overtime.
On Saturday Jan. 14, the Seahawks defeated the red hot Redskins even without league MVP Shawn Alexander in their backfield. The game ended up being a defensive slug match, as the Redskins were just out preformed throughout the game.
In the most anticipated game of the weekend, the Broncos tripped up the Patriots hope for yet another Super Bowl title. The Broncos handed Tom Brady his first playoff loss since entering the league.
In the two championship games, two teams found themselves in the same place they had been in their previous playoff appearances. The Steelers were returning to the AFC Championship game for the second straight year with their young phenom quarterback Ben Roethlisberger at the helm.
In their game, the Steelers simply dominated the Broncos, doubling them up by a score of 34-17. Roethlisberger has defied everything with his gutsty and savvy performance since he has entered the league. The quarterback's big plays have matched his size as he has with the help of the Steelers defense carried the Pittsburgh into the Super Bowl.
In the NFC Championship game, the Panthers were returning for their second time in three years. The Panthers faced the best team in the NFC in their return to the championship game. The Seahawks boasted a young and athletic defense and smash mouth offense.
The Seahawks ensured their first trip to the Super Bowl with an impressive win over the surprising Panthers with a score of 34-14.
So the question remains who will win it all? There is only one team that will end their season happy and there are only two teams remaining with that chance.
The Steelers who are 4-1 in Super Bowl, their only loss coming in their 1995 Super Bowl appearance against the Cowboys.
The Seahawks, who have rarely made playoff appearances, will be in their first Super Bowl in franchise history. But head coach Mike Holmgren is looking for second Super Bowl ring after winning one with the Packers in the mid 90's.
The Seahawks have been one of the most underrated teams in the NFL this year but have been extremely solid on both sides of the ball. However they are coming into the biggest game in the history of the franchise a little beaten up.
The team has three main concerns. First, is the health of MVP and Pro Bowler running back Alexander. After suffering a concussion in their first playoff game, Alexander saw limited action against Carolina. Now the Seahawks will just hope that after two full weeks of rest, their stud tailback will be able to return and carry the load.
Their second concern will be at the wide receiver position. With no true star and or threat on the outside, the Steelers will not be forced to provide any help to their cornerback crew. The Seahawks did have one stand out this season and that was Joe Jurevicius who made big play after big play for the ailing Seahawks wide receiving core.
The Seahawks final concern will be their youthful defense. With very few veterans on their defense, the Seahawks coaching staff isn't entirely sure how their young players will react to the spotlight. This could become a big problem if the Steelers get off to a fast start.
As for the Steelers, they have their own worries. After making it into the playoffs as the last seed, the Steelers proved themselves a dangerous opponent. After upsetting the big names in the playoffs, the Steelers will look tot steam roll the Seahawks, which is no easy task.
The Steelers concerns will include their own youth issues. They are young just about everywhere but most importantly at quarterback. Roethlisberger has been a surprise overcoming all doubters and playing like a veteran.
The Steelers are also young in the defensive secondary spot, which may be a concern if Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck can get the ball out to his receivers early. This will not be too much of concern for the Steelers, if their front seven pressure Hasselbeck and stuff Alexander for only short gains.
Sunday Feb. 5 will bring the Super Bowl XL to Detroit, MI. where the Steelers will face-off against the Seahawks. The game should turn into one for the ages looking at it on paper.
In my humble opinion, the Steelers will come out victorious this weekend by a score of 34-31, winning the game on a last minute field goal. However, I want the Seahawks to win ,but given their inexperience they wont be able to overcome the mountain they face.
It should be a great game and heck even if you dont like football you might as well watch for the commercials. At worst you will have a few laughs and catch a piece of history.
