The Observer, February 10, 2006
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 16
NFL Guru: Steelers take advantage of big plays in Super Bowl win
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Super Bowl XL has to go down in history as one of the weirdest Super Bowls ever. It featured the longest run from scrimmage, longest interception return, and first touchdown pass thrown by a wide receiver in a Super Bowl. There were some dubious calls, including an offensive pass interference call on Seahawks WR Darrell Jackson and a touchdown call on Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger's one-yard scramble (which was reviewed and upheld). Finally, the game included some bizarre play calls, like the Steelers' inexplicable decision to throw on third and six from the Seattle seven-yard line. As you may recall, the pass was a lame duck into the flat and it was returned for 76 yards, leading to Seattle's only touchdown. These and other oddities gave the game a surreal feel to it, but it was still a football game, and a pretty good one at that.
The game was a defensive contest, with the teams combining for 12 punts. For most of the game the Seahawks controlled field position, but whenever they entered Pittsburgh territory, they were stymied. Pittsburgh also did a very good job shutting down the Seahawks' running back Shaun Alexander, limiting him to under 100 rushing yards. The Steelers had trouble moving the ball altogether, not getting a first down until the second quarter. Both defenses forced key turnovers, each team intercepting a pass in the red zone. But Pittsburgh had bursts of offense when it counted most, scoring on RB Willie Parker's 75-yard TD run and Antwaan Randle El's 43-yard TD pass to Hines Ward, which really helped to put the game away. Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck had a solid game (26 for 49, 273 yards, and a TD pass) but was unable to sustain a drive, forcing Seattle to settle for long field goals. This problem was compounded when kicker Josh Brown missed two out of three, giving the Steelers the ball with good field position both times.
This game, more than any other Super Bowl that I can remember, hinged on dramatic momentum swings. Except for when the Seahawks held the Steelers to nine plays in the first quarter, neither team was able to take control of the game. Both teams wasted opportunities to do so. Pittsburgh had a chance to increase its lead to 18 points before then Roethlisberger threw that huge interception. Then the Seahawks were driving at the start of the fourth quarter when Hasselbeck threw his pick. Instead of taking the lead and putting Pittsburgh's back against the wall, the Seahawks had suddenly given the Steelers new life. With neither team playing at its best, especially with Roethlisberger looking hesitant and scared, emotion was all-important.
After the final interception, when the momentum shifted for the final time, you could tell the final score was a foregone conclusion by the dejected look of the Seattle bench. After that point, the Seahawks just rolled over and died, not threatening the Steelers until it was too late.
With momentum swings come big plays, and this game featured plenty. If you take away the Randle El pass and the Parker run, the Steelers only gained 223 total yards, which is not exactly an offensive explosion. But the big plays bailed Pittsburgh out, adding over 100 yards to the previous number. The Seahawks managed 396 yards, but the big plays weren't there. Several times Hasselbeck threw deep, only to have the ball dropped or batted away. He averaged just 5.6 yards per attempt, with his only deep completion being a 35-yarder to WR Joe Jurevicius. Alexander's longest run of the evening was for 20 yards, not even close to Parker's big gallop.
In all fairness, Seattle was the better team last Sunday, but Pittsburgh played well when it counted most and won the momentum battle. And so ends another exciting NFL season. See you next year!
