NFL Briefing

7.2.06

Super Bowl XL - Verdict

Just because this wasn't the highest-quality of the 40 Super Bowls doesn't mean it won't be one of the most memorable in the years ahead. That is not only because one of the NFL's most storied teams ended a 26-year drought to win that ring for the thumb, having ridden a way of emotion through the playoffs and becoming the first team to win four games on the road (although Ford Field looked like Heinz Field North West on Sunday evening) to take the title.

Certainly two plays will be on highlight reels for years to come: Willie Parker's simple run over tackle that, thanks to Alan Faneca's block, became a record 75-yard dash to the endzone and the run-reverse-option-pass that saw Antwaan Randle El toss the winning touchdown to Hines Ward.

Besides those moments for the ages, though, Pittsburgh won ugly. Ben Roethlisberger looked nervous all day, struggling under the pressure generated as the running game in the first half managed to generate just 15 yards from star backs Parker and the retiring – in only one sense of the word - Jerome Bettis. On just one play, the converted third-and-28 just before the half when he rolled away from pressure, decided against scrambling then found Ward on the three-yard line, did Big Ben look like the player who has bailed out Pittsburgh's stuttering rushers throughout the playoffs.

Seattle had the game for the taking, with Shaun Alexander averaging 4.8 yards per carry. Unfortunately, their receivers just could not come up with key plays at key times. Despite his third-quarter touchdown, tight end Jerramy Stevens was the biggest culprit with two key drops. Darrell Jackson was an effective rapier early on, with five first-quarter catches, but Pittsburgh adjusted and he became anonymous.

If there was one key play, though, it came with 11'34 left in the game, with Seattle down by just four points and marching against a tiring Pittsburgh defense. In 13 plays they had moved 75 yards and faced just one third down play, but a Casey Hampton sack put the pressure on Seattle passer Matt Hasselbeck to come up big on third and 18 from the 27-yard line. Ike Taylor stood up for the interception to set up the Randle El score that iced the game.

Do not expect Seattle to get another shot next year, even though their defense has several more good years in it. Alexander has smiled more as the side has been successful, but he was last summer forced to sign a one-year deal under the "franchise tag" regulations and will take plenty of persuading to come back for more especially as, at 28, this is his last chance to sign a big deal to see him into retirement. The patch-work passing game came together in support but more pressure will relegate them once again to the merely average.

Pittsburgh have never won a single Super Bowl before as their first four came in pairs - IX and X then XIII and XIV – but there is a first time for everything, especially as the running game has been living on borrowed time since the midpoint of this season. If Parker is to be the back of the future he has to improve his acceleration as he is too often stopped in his first three steps. Only once in this heralded season has he run for more than 100 yards against quality opposition. Randle El is up for free agency and Steelers owner Dan Rooney has in the past appeared to follow a the old-school policy of throwing nickels around like man hole covers. If their star utility player is re-signed and Roethlisberger shows some more of that early post-season form, the Steelers could be back in contention, just contention.

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