The Seattle Seahawks will win Super Bowl XL.
That is, if they can overcome one underlying factor this Sunday: themselves.
For once in the franchise’s “maybe next decade” history, the Seahawks have more weapons and a better overall record (13-3) than the Steelers.
Complete with a high-octane offense led by MVP running back Shaun Alexander and a defense that relies on the team and not the individual, Seattle is primed to leave the Motor City with the Lombardi Trophy. To put it bluntly, it’s their game to lose.
Let’s look at the numbers. The Seahawks’ offensive backfield is blessed to have four All-Pro players. Aside from quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and Alexander, the league’s leading rusher, Seattle has Mack Strong. As a traditional workhorse-inspired fullback, Strong has opened holes for Alexander all season and gets carries as well. The 13-year veteran is averaging 4.6 yards per carry this season.
Hasselbeck is finally starting to reap the benefits of Holmgren’s offense. The Boston College alum is having a career season throwing for 3,459 yards and 24 touchdowns. Although four of the Steelers’ defensive backs have picks this postseason, Seattle’s offense is too powerful to contain. The Seahawks have scored at least 20 in all but four games this year.
Then there’s the vaunted defense, brimming with youthful talent. Seattle has not surrendered more than two touchdowns in a playoff game.
Seattle will top Pittsburgh if it doesn’t beat itself. The Seahawks showed a glimpse of self-destruction three weeks ago in their playoff opener against Washington. The Redskins knocked Alexander out of the game early and forced five fumbles, recovering three. Hasselbeck was limited to 215 yards passing. Washington had ample opportunities to win this game, but had trouble putting points on the board in the final frame.
Seattle came back the following week as the underdog host facing Carolina. Even I thought the Seahawks were due to lose this, the franchise’s second conference title game. I was wrong. This one was over after the first quarter.
I know the Steelers found their way into Sunday’s game as the AFC’s No. 6 seed and, for it, they deserve all the regalia they’ve received. They have taken care of the conference’s top teams on the road but have taken their lumps while doing so. They weren’t fortunate to have a bye-week like Seattle.
Don’t call me a homer for picking Seattle. I’m not from there and can’t even spell Qwest Field. I don’t favor the team or its recently found “12th Man”, but I give them my shoo-in of the week.
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