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Defense will propel Steelers
By GARY SHELTON
Published February 5, 2006
DETROIT - Because the Bucs beat the Raiders.
Because the Patriots beat the Rams.
Because the Giants beat the Bills.
That's why the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to win today's Super Bowl. It's as simple as that.
Because good defense beats good offense.
Because playing a tough schedule is better than playing a cushier one.
Because the chip on the team's shoulders is larger.
That's why the Steelers are going to win a close game against Seattle. It's as basic as that.
Shape this game however you wish. Hold it up to the light. Weigh it and measure it. Dissect the game films. In the end, it comes down to this: Mike Holmgren is a very good offensive coach. Bill Cowher is a very good defensive coach. Edge: Cowher.
Because they have the best group of linebackers in the league.
Because they have the better secondary of the two.
Because they seem to leave opposing quarterbacks in ruin.
That's why the Steelers will become the first team to play all of its playoff games on the road and win the Super Bowl. It's as logical as that.
Look, the Seahawks are a splendid team, and yes, if the turnover battle goes their way, they could win this game. They have the league MVP, for goodness' sake. Just don't wager on it.
In big games, defense beats offense the same way that rock beats scissors. If the Patriots' run didn't convince you, if the Bucs' victory didn't, if the Giants blunting the Bills didn't, well, you haven't been paying attention. Offensive statistics always shine brighter than defensive ones, but in games such as these, muscle matters more.
Don't be fooled by the Steelers' midseason swoon. Don't be fooled by the No.6 seed. Over the past two seasons, Pittsburgh has won 26 regular-season games. This team isn't a fluke.
During these playoffs, the Steelers have been good enough to compare with the great Super Bowl defenses. Yeah, Joey Porter has a big mouth, and yeah, he goes into these games looking for something to whip him and his teammates into a froth. On the other hand, if you look in the rubble left by the Steelers, you can see a lot of good offenses. That's Carson Palmer with his knee in bandages. That's Peyton Manning with his reputation in tarnish. That's Jake Plummer with Arizona Cardinal all over him.
Even with the Seahawks' excellent offensive line, the Steelers are going to be a handful for them, too. Seattle hasn't seen a 3-4 defense since the Cowboys left the Seahawks scratching their heads in October.
Here's the thing: Seattle has a good defensive front, too, and its linebackers aren't bad. But the Seahawks ranked only 25th against the pass. That's one of the more glaring numbers on either side. Given the ascent of Ben Roethlisberger for Pittsburgh during these playoffs, it's worth keeping in mind.
As for Cowher, he's taken a bit of a beating of late over his record in big games. That's fair, but keep in mind the quarterbacks he had in those games. With Roethlisberger, that's going to change.
Besides, heaven loves a good story. Just watch: Jerome Bettis will rush seven times for 17 yards, but he'll have a touchdown, and every newspaper in America will quote him.
The Steelers win this game 20-17.
Because Pittsburgh's front will hold Shaun Alexander to less than 100 yards.
Because Troy Polamalu is going to make the key play of the game.
Because of the defense, silly person. Because of the defense.
[Last modified February 5, 2006, 01:23:11]
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Fifty years ago, they were screwed-up kids sent to the Florida School for Boys to be straightened out. But now they are screwed-up men, scarred by the whippings they endured. Read the story and see a video and portrait gallery.
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