Post your pick with some reasoning and the line you got (I know Razz got Pitt -3). I like Seattle, but not sure to what degree until we get closer to gametime. Will be betting them ATS and on the ML, but may only invest 2 units total on this one.
Seattle's team speed on both sides of the ball is being totally ignored. It will only be amplified on the turf. They led the league in sacks and their front 4 is vastly underrated, I expect them to get to Roethlisberger and force him to make quick reads (Seattle will not sit back on 3rd and longs like the Broncos and let Big Ben dissect them)
They have the best offensive line in football (the most overlooked aspect by observes, who always focus on the skill positions). I expect them to control the line of scrimmage and do enough running the ball to open up the pass for Hasselbeck, who has been one of the hottest QBs coming in, if not the hottest.
Everybody's talking about both teams run to the SB. Is it the Seahawks fault they were the #1 seed and got to play two games at home? Sure, the Steelers went on the road and beat these three teams: (a) Cincy with Kitna running the show for practically the entire game, (b) the "best" team in Indy when their schedule throughout the year was incredibly soft and they hadn't played a game w/ any meaning for over a month (Not to mention two perennial playoff chokers in Dungy and Manning), (c) then they roll into Denver and destroy the Broncos (who according to everybody I spoke with were given two monster gifts in the NE game: the pass int call on 4th down and the Bailey fumble that hit the pylon and should've been a touchback, both plays resulting in Denver possession at the NE 1 yard line). Denver hit its peak in the middle-late part of the season and everybody knew Jake was going to make some mistakes, but 4 turnovers, the old Jake the Snake returned and Pitt rolled them VERY impressively. A very impressive run indeed, but not without some caveats.
Now, let's look at Seattle. Hadn't won a playoff game in a gazillion years, came out very tight and played sloppy and had way too many turnovers against Washington, but let's give the Skins some credit here. Sure, there offense stunk especially with Clinton's nagging shoulder injury, but this defense was on fire and they have one of the top D-coordinators on their sidelines, yet Hasselbeck and company were able to do enough to win WITHOUT their MVP and the MVP of the league in that game. Not to mention that Washington coming in was one of the hottest teams in the league. Then they totally and utterly destroy Carolina. Would having Foster and Goings for Carolina made a difference for Carolina? Sure, but how much? I'm sure they would've been able to do more offensively, but defensively, they got raped by the offensive assault Hasselbeck and Alexander put on them. And this was one of the top 3-5 defenses in the league and they couldn't do anything, unable to pressure Hasselbeck (b/c of the superior play of their O-line) and when they came, Hasselbeck made quick and smart reads. The kid has really developed into a fine QB that is getting no attention.
Seattle + the points is the play for me. Don't read too much into the line, the favorite in the SB is always going to be favored by 3 points or more minimum. There is no way the books will open it at anything lower, because they know the public will pound the favorite like there is no tomorrow, so there is no reason to. The lowest lined SB was Baltimore -3 over the NYG. In a game of very evenly matched teams, I'll side with the coach who has had success in the big game (both as a HC and OC) with the points. I can see a final along the lines of 24-20, 27-23 either way and will gladly take the Seahawks + whatever the number reaches by gametime.
Seattle's team speed on both sides of the ball is being totally ignored. It will only be amplified on the turf. They led the league in sacks and their front 4 is vastly underrated, I expect them to get to Roethlisberger and force him to make quick reads (Seattle will not sit back on 3rd and longs like the Broncos and let Big Ben dissect them)
They have the best offensive line in football (the most overlooked aspect by observes, who always focus on the skill positions). I expect them to control the line of scrimmage and do enough running the ball to open up the pass for Hasselbeck, who has been one of the hottest QBs coming in, if not the hottest.
Everybody's talking about both teams run to the SB. Is it the Seahawks fault they were the #1 seed and got to play two games at home? Sure, the Steelers went on the road and beat these three teams: (a) Cincy with Kitna running the show for practically the entire game, (b) the "best" team in Indy when their schedule throughout the year was incredibly soft and they hadn't played a game w/ any meaning for over a month (Not to mention two perennial playoff chokers in Dungy and Manning), (c) then they roll into Denver and destroy the Broncos (who according to everybody I spoke with were given two monster gifts in the NE game: the pass int call on 4th down and the Bailey fumble that hit the pylon and should've been a touchback, both plays resulting in Denver possession at the NE 1 yard line). Denver hit its peak in the middle-late part of the season and everybody knew Jake was going to make some mistakes, but 4 turnovers, the old Jake the Snake returned and Pitt rolled them VERY impressively. A very impressive run indeed, but not without some caveats.
Now, let's look at Seattle. Hadn't won a playoff game in a gazillion years, came out very tight and played sloppy and had way too many turnovers against Washington, but let's give the Skins some credit here. Sure, there offense stunk especially with Clinton's nagging shoulder injury, but this defense was on fire and they have one of the top D-coordinators on their sidelines, yet Hasselbeck and company were able to do enough to win WITHOUT their MVP and the MVP of the league in that game. Not to mention that Washington coming in was one of the hottest teams in the league. Then they totally and utterly destroy Carolina. Would having Foster and Goings for Carolina made a difference for Carolina? Sure, but how much? I'm sure they would've been able to do more offensively, but defensively, they got raped by the offensive assault Hasselbeck and Alexander put on them. And this was one of the top 3-5 defenses in the league and they couldn't do anything, unable to pressure Hasselbeck (b/c of the superior play of their O-line) and when they came, Hasselbeck made quick and smart reads. The kid has really developed into a fine QB that is getting no attention.
Seattle + the points is the play for me. Don't read too much into the line, the favorite in the SB is always going to be favored by 3 points or more minimum. There is no way the books will open it at anything lower, because they know the public will pound the favorite like there is no tomorrow, so there is no reason to. The lowest lined SB was Baltimore -3 over the NYG. In a game of very evenly matched teams, I'll side with the coach who has had success in the big game (both as a HC and OC) with the points. I can see a final along the lines of 24-20, 27-23 either way and will gladly take the Seahawks + whatever the number reaches by gametime.
