OT: Superbowl Prediction By Chris Palochko
SportsTicker Staff Writer
DETROIT (Ticker) - After you have been inundated with Super Bowl hype, let's keep it simple with some snapshot predictions for Sunday's game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks.
1. NFL MVP Shaun Alexander of the Seahawks will be held in check, but will score a touchdown.
After leading the NFL with 1,880 yards rushing and setting a single-season record with 28 touchdowns, Alexander will find things difficult against the Steelers, who ranked third in the NFL against the run. Expect in the range of 75-80 yards.
2. Steelers Pro Bowl linebacker Joey Porter will not make any Seahawks "tap out."
Upset by Seahawks tight end Jerramy Stevens, who said Jerome Bettis will leave Ford Field without the Lombardi Trophy, Porter has vowed that Seahawks will want to motion to come out of the game. But three times during the game, Porter will bump Stevens off the line of scrimmage.
3. The Seahawks will not be "sack-happy."
After leading the NFL with 50 sacks, the Seahawks will be unable to generate much pressure and finish with one sack.
4. Steelers running back Willie Parker will gain more yards than Bettis.
Parker is lost amongst all the talk about Bettis' homecoming and the play of Ben Roethlisberger. But Parker still rushed for over 1,200 yards in his first full season as a starter. He will rush for at least 75 yards and break off at least one run of at least 15 yards.
5. Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck will throw at least one interception.
Hasselbeck has been flawless in the postseason, completing 36-of-54 passes for 434 yards and three touchdowns. Against Dick LeBeau's aggressive scheme, Hasselbeck will be forced into a mistake somewhere along the way.
6. Bettis will score a touchdown.
Bettis has scored a touchdown in each of the Steelers' three postseason games so that trend will continue. He also should receive in the neighborhood of 14 carries.
7. Seahawks rookie linebacker Lofa Tatupu will not be a factor.
A defensive leader in his rookie season, Tatupu had an interception and crushing hit that knocked Nick Goings out of the NFC championship game. Against the Steelers, Tatupu will be overshadowed by another Samoan.
8. That other Samoan is Steelers Pro Bowl strong safety Troy Polamalu.
If people don't know how good Polamalu already is, they will get a glimpse on Super Bowl Sunday. Always around the ball, Polamalu will be in the middle of at least one turnover.
9. The Seahawks will have very little crowd support.
Despite coach Mike Holmgren saying after the NFC championship game that they were bringing the fans with them to Detroit, the Seahawks quickly learn that they are playing in a hostile environment. Detroit has had a distinct Pittsburgh flavor all week. The crowd could be as much as 80 percent in favor of the Steelers.
10. Roethlisberger will become the youngest quarterback to win the Super Bowl.
Because the Steelers will win, 27-17.
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