i was just starting to breakdown the special teams on this game. and, i ran accross this article. i felt some of you guys might want to read it. so, here it is:

Most of the microscope concerning Super Bowl XL in Detroit focuses on both quarterbacks, the running games and sometimes strays to a wide receiver or linebacker. However, special teams are a third of the game that often goes overlooked by the masses. That’s mind boggling considering that field-goal kickers often lead their team in scoring.


Special team plays early in a game can change the entire outcome, while late kicks often define who wins the game. Just think back to Super Bowl XVIII when Oakland routed defending champion Washington with a blocked punt touchdown early in the game. Another example is Super Bowl XXV when Buffalo’s Scott Norwood missed a 47-yard field goal that would have given the Bills a championship.

For the special teams concerning Super Bowl XL, let’s first take a look at both field-goal kickers. Seattle’s Josh Brown is a three-year veteran out of Nebraska, and was 16th in scoring during the regular campaign with 110 points by connecting on 56 extra points and 18 field goals.

Brown was 5-for-5 from 20-29 yards, 4-of-5 from 30-39 yards, 4-of-7 from 40-49 yards and 5-of-8 from 50 plus. The 26-year-old’s longest field goal of the year was from 55 yards, and he did have one attempt blocked. That distance should be noted at Detroit’s Ford Field with its indoor track and perfect conditions.

Pittsburgh’s Jeff Reed ranked 10th in scoring during the season, just behind San Diego running back LaDainian Tomlinson. Reed had 117 points after recording 24 field goals and 45 extra points

The four-year veteran out of North Carolina was an unblemished 18-for-18 on field goal kicks from 20-39 yards, 6-of-9 from 40-49 yards and 0-2 from 50 plus. His long on the season was 44 yards, and he did have two attempts blocked. Brown missed one extra point in 57 attempts this year, while Reed was perfect with fewer attempts.

Brown had 89 kickoffs during the season, with four touch backs. Only one of those kicks was onsides, and one was returned for a touchdown. Reed kicked off 84 times with five touch backs, two of those attempts were onsides and none were returned for scores.

For the punting angle on this contest, we’re just going to focus on the postseason play. Seattle’s Tom Rouen has had nine punts in two games for 381 yards (42.3 yards per kick average) and a net average of 31 yards. The 13-year veteran had two touch backs, five inside the 20-yard line and two returned. One of those efforts was returned for a touchdown versus Carolina when a disputed clipping call was waived off.

Pittsburgh’s Chris Gardocki has punted 12 times this postseason for 497 yards (41.4 ypk), with three touch backs and six placed inside the 20. Four of those efforts were returned, but the special teams allowed just a return average of 3.2 yards. This was a sticking point with the Steelers, after some notable shortcomings in previous postseason efforts.

Neither team is blessed with a game breaking kickoff return man, so this area is pretty much a ‘push.’ Pittsburgh’s Ike Taylor has five returns this postseason for 111 yards. His playoff long was 36 yards, and has an average of 22.2 yards per return. Seattle’s Josh Scobey also has five returns for 100 yards (20-yard average), with his longest return encompassing 32 yards.

However, Pittsburgh has a sizeable advantage on punt returns with wideout Antwaan Randle El sparking the charge. Randle El has eight returns this postseason for 84 yards (10.5 yard average) with a high of 20 yards. Seattle’s Jimmy Williams has had four punt return opportunities, but has a minus one yard in those attempts.

I’m going to call the matchup between the special teams a ‘push,’ even with Pittsburgh’s punt return advantage. Randle El’s skill might give the Steelers good field position at some point during the contest. However I like the fact that Brown has a stronger leg than Reed, and that might result in a long field goal before halftime.