###OFFICIAL SUPERBOWL XL THREAD###

[JaredL]

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Uh oh this is big time. I have been wrong for every superbowl since I was in 8th grade. I am going for the steelers. One our streaks with end.

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umm, after the seahawks win, both our streaks are still intact, no?

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That would pretty solidly break your streak.

While on the subject of streaks, I grew up a 49er fan (mom's from that area) and have gotten sucked into the Steelers since moving here for grad school 3 years ago. I've got a 5-0 record when cheering for one team in the big game. My record isn't quite as stellar in the conference championships, however.

I'm going to predict Seattle 14 - 24 Pittsburgh. Your Super Bowl MVP - Jerome Bettis (though Roethlisberger will probably deserve it).

Here are what I think(hope?) will be the keys to the game:
1. coaching - Holmgren is good, but Cowher et al have clearly outcoached their opponents in all three games, in particular the last two.
2. Pittsburgh's ability to run - we haven't been able to run in the playoffs, this actually started dropping off after the Chicago game. Not sure what's going on, hopefully it will come back for the SB. The Steelers have shown that they can win without it but if they get the running game going and have the strong passing game of late it will be very difficult for Seattle to stop them.
3. Seattle's ability to run. Pittsburgh's only had 1 100 yard rusher against them all season. From what I've seen, Hasselbeck reminds me of Roethlisberger last season (albeit with less hair), solid quarterback doesn't make too many mistakes but not really the guy whose shoulders you want to put everything on. Alexander has had a great season so it should be a good matchup.
4. Seattle handling the blitz. Pittsburgh destroyed Indy with it and it was successful against Denver as well. If Seattle can't handle it, especially if their runnning game isn't working well, it will be very difficult to score.