I am shocked to see so many good cappers on Seattle.......

[maverick2112]

but a lot of them were on Denver last week also. I think Pitt wins this game rather easily. Not that I dont respect Seattle and what they have done but winning a rather easy division and playoff wins over a very tired Washington and Carolina squads dont really impress me that much, if this game was played in Seattle then I would probably have a slightly different outlook as the Seahawks have been strong at home the last 2 years. I think a lot of people are liking Seattle after what they did to Carolina last week but remember this........

even in their win over the Bears the previous week.....the Panthers were iffy at best on defense as Grossman was able to drive the Bears the length of the field on a few occasions and this lit a red flag up for me as a tough playoff defense of championship caliber doesnt let basically a rookie QB (Grossman) drive his team the length of the field after they get a TD lead.

So in essence what I am saying is that last week was really no surprise when you looked at how the Panther defense played vs Chicago. Not to beat a dead horse but the game where the Panthers lost to Dallas at home in game 15 of the regular season was surprising how bad the Panthers could be at times......Juluis Jones had his best game of the season vs the Panthers.

I just think the going will be very difficult for Seattle in the super bowl.......if Pitt can shut down Peyton and Plummer on the road then why is Hasslebeck and the Seahawks going to be that much of a problem???

Just cant see Cowher and the Steelers coming this far from last seasons championship loss as well as the other losses in the championship games to stumble in this spot.

I would lay even 7 points here......


THIS GAME REMINDS ME SO MUCH OF THE SUPERBOWL WHEN THE RAVENS KNOCKED OFF THE BRONCOS AT HOME THEN BEAT THE #1 SEEDED TITANS AND #2 RAIDERS ON THE ROAD............THEN PLAYED THE GIANTS AND CRUSHED THEM IN THE SUPERBOWL.......in fact the sb was the easiest game for the Ravens....I see the same scenario playing out........


Pitt is the play for me ........

Good luck to everyone and thanks for everyone for all they contribute to this site.............

 

[James Witt]

gotta agree with this. imo, the main difference here is roethlisberger. he's going to be one of the all-time greats, and this is his first step.

the linesmaker is right: either pit blowout or close game. sea beat two injured, laboring teams. it beat them in seattle, under ideal conditions. seattle might be a good team, you can't prove or disprove it from its schedule. pittsburgh is a great team, and there can be no question.

under the given circumstances, it is considerably likelier that pittsburgh wins.

 

[James Witt]

i think of it as betting uphill or downhill. ask yourself, do you really think there won't be a time in this game when pittsburgh's up a touchdown? is it likelier seahawks or steelers will have to come from behind? if roeth. were going to clench up, wouldn't that have been a lot likelier to happen at indy or den than against the seattle seahawks?

the colts and denver were healthy and playing at home, and they were schooled from the starting gun. that is impressive. sea finished off a couple limpers.

sea is playing uphill in this game, and its backers are betting that way, whereas it's all downhill from here for pittsburgh.

 

[Buck i]

Car won a shoot out with Chic barely. Seat, beat Chic by three in the regular season, and Pitt handled Chic rather easily (Reg. season). There is no way Seat goes to (on the road) Cinci, Indi and Den and wins two out of three let alone all three by an average of 11.333333333333333333333333333333 pts. No way, Pitt wins this one and to be safe, money line is the way to go!!!!!!

 

[bosbabiesarm]

Car won a shoot out with Chic barely. Seat, beat Chic by three in the regular season, and Pitt handled Chic rather easily (Reg. season). There is no way Seat goes to (on the road) Cinci, Indi and Den and wins two out of three let alone all three by an average of 11.333333333333333333333333333333 pts. No way, Pitt wins this one and to be safe, money line is the way to go!!!!!!

Sea. beat Chicago this season maybe I missed something. Don't think they played?

 

[Buck i]

My bad, it was the giants Sea beat by three, not Chic.

 

[Glenn Quagmire]

but a lot of them were on Denver last week also. I think Pitt wins this game rather easily. Not that I dont respect Seattle and what they have done but winning a rather easy division and playoff wins over a very tired Washington and Carolina squads dont really impress me that much, if this game was played in Seattle then I would probably have a slightly different outlook as the Seahawks have been strong at home the last 2 years. I think a lot of people are liking Seattle after what they did to Carolina last week but remember this........

even in their win over the Bears the previous week.....the Panthers were iffy at best on defense as Grossman was able to drive the Bears the length of the field on a few occasions and this lit a red flag up for me as a tough playoff defense of championship caliber doesnt let basically a rookie QB (Grossman) drive his team the length of the field after they get a TD lead.

So in essence what I am saying is that last week was really no surprise when you looked at how the Panther defense played vs Chicago. Not to beat a dead horse but the game where the Panthers lost to Dallas at home in game 15 of the regular season was surprising how bad the Panthers could be at times......Juluis Jones had his best game of the season vs the Panthers.

I just think the going will be very difficult for Seattle in the super bowl.......if Pitt can shut down Peyton and Plummer on the road then why is Hasslebeck and the Seahawks going to be that much of a problem???

Just cant see Cowher and the Steelers coming this far from last seasons championship loss as well as the other losses in the championship games to stumble in this spot.

I would lay even 7 points here......


THIS GAME REMINDS ME SO MUCH OF THE SUPERBOWL WHEN THE RAVENS KNOCKED OFF THE BRONCOS AT HOME THEN BEAT THE #1 SEEDED TITANS AND #2 RAIDERS ON THE ROAD............THEN PLAYED THE GIANTS AND CRUSHED THEM IN THE SUPERBOWL.......in fact the sb was the easiest game for the Ravens....I see the same scenario playing out........


Pitt is the play for me ........

Good luck to everyone and thanks for everyone for all they contribute to this site.............

Maverick,

Good write-up. Although I think we're on opposite sides I always appreciate it when someone takes the time to give a detailed analysis.

This is just a theory, but I think the reason so many good handicappers on this site are on Seattle is because they can get past factors that the casual bettor can't. It seems like the same thing keeps getting repeated by people who are taking Pitt... Seattle had a weak schedule, they didn't prove themselves on the road and Pitt is on a roll, therefore I'm taking Pitt. Maybe it's that easy, but I HIGHLY doubt it. Given that both teams have two weeks to prepare I don't think you can underestimate how important coaching and preparation will be. The team that has the best gameplan coming into the game will have a huge advantage. Being able to successfully make in-game adjustments will be important too. I think these teams are very evenly-matched. Personally I can't see it being a blowout either way.

I'll mention the Carolina thing again because I think it's worthy of noting. Most of the people on this site seemed to be on Carolina to beat Seattle. I'm not saying injuries and fatigue for Carolina didn't worry them, but it couldn't have been too much of a worry because they bet on them nonetheless. Even though Seattle won the game convincingly I haven't seen much if any credit given to Seattle, it's mostly just people saying that Carolina was beat up and tired. I'm not saying Carolina wasn't fatigued, they clearly were, but that was a pretty good ass-kicking they got. The way that Seattle dominated on both sides of the ball was pretty impressive, at least to me. It just kind of seems like sour grapes to me for someone to bet on a team, watch them lose by three TDs, then just blame the fact they lost on them being tired.

I won't deny for a second that Pittsburgh has been impressive. I'm not even going to try to discredit anything they've done because they've played VERY well and they deserve all the respect they are getting. And I also can't say that Hasselbeck is as good as Peyton, but Plummer? Despite the fact that Plummer had a pretty decent year I don't think he is anywhere near as good as Hasselbeck. Pitt SHOULD have dominated Denver the way they did because Plummer isn't a very good QB, especially in the playoffs, and Denver's O-line isn't all that great either. I agree with you... Hass and the O-line will have their hands full with Pitt's blitzing. How they handle the blitz could determine who wins the game.

I guess the bottom line to me is that people don't seem to want to give the Seahawks credit because after so many years of sucking it's hard to believe they could actually have a great team. In a way I can understand that. Maybe I'm wrong, but I think that underestimating them could be a mistake in this game.

 

[Little Italy]

maverick, the only reason the ravens beat the raiders in the afc championship that year is because big fat tony segagusa late hit rich gannon and knocked him out for the game...

 

[maverick2112]

maverick, the only reason the ravens beat the raiders in the afc championship that year is because big fat tony segagusa late hit rich gannon and knocked him out for the game...

Although Gannon did get knocked out.........he was in for the first and a lot of the second quarter and the Raiders could'nt do squat when he was in there.........in fact I remember the Raiders getting the ball at the 50 a couple of times early in the game and they could'nt even get a first down to the 40.........Ravens dominated that game even early when Gannon was healthy.....

 

[maverick2112]

I am not underestimating them at all..........I dont think its a surprise to anyone that the AFC is a lot stronger than the NFC this year.......even the oddsmakers think so........thats why you have a #6 seed favored over a #1........Look at some of the teams in the AFC who fell short........namely KC and SD.......

Now I dont speak for everyone but honestly I would take KC or SD in a pick em game over Seattle on a neutral field.........I just believe both are stronger teams..........

Of course I may be wrong but take Seattle out of that stadium they play in and I believe you will see a different team.......

As far as Hasslebeck...........Does'nt anyone remember how he played vs Dallas and the Giants this year at home.........he was nothing special...........and he really didnt light the world on fire vs Washington......How about last year in the playoff game vs the Rams??...........If you can criticize Plummer for his failures in the past its only fair to look at Hasslebecks past.................Yes he may be better than Plummer.......but no way he is as good as Manning..........

I guess the bottom line is this........Even if you take Seattle you dont really know how well they will perform on the road.........this year alone they struggled with the likes of Tennessee, San Francisco and lost to Washington and Jax...........with Pitt you know they can win in a hostile environment.......

Their road record is downright incredible the last 2 years.......

 

[Killian]

Who had the best defense in NFL this year?? I think that most everyone would agree that the answer to that question would be CHICAGO.......right? If you agree with that answer.... then let's take a look at the Chicago-Carolina game. The Carolina offense went into Chicago and completely took that defense apart and I mean they destroyed em. That same offense ....one week later, ran into the Seattle D .........we all know what happened to them.

Just something to ponder.......and wonder if maybe, just maybe you might be overlooking the one thing that will keep Pittsburgh from winning this game.

 

[James Witt]

The steelers achievement repeats week after week. It seems to be product of fundamental soundnesss, rather than wave of emotion or freak happenings. it sure as hell ain't Cowher. That's why a prediction it will get blown out 34-13 makes no sense. The only way that prediction could have any logical grounding would be if Roethlisberger were concealing an injured hand. I can well see hapless Maddox getting blown out. There is no f'ing way the seasters are going to beat pit by 3 TD. If you disagree, your book should pay about 7:1 for 21+ victory.

 

[James Witt]

Who had the best defense in NFL this year?? I think that most everyone would agree that the answer to that question would be CHICAGO.......right? If you agree with that answer.... then let's take a look at the Chicago-Carolina game. The Carolina offense went into Chicago and completely took that defense apart and I mean they destroyed em. That same offense ....one week later, ran into the Seattle D .........we all know what happened to them.

Just something to ponder.......and wonder if maybe, just maybe you might be overlooking the one thing that will keep Pittsburgh from winning this game.

The one team i did see a few games of this year was chicago, and they scraped through by the skin of their teeth. I remember betting on N.O. on the ML, so confident was I they'd show them up. And doubling at half time! I lost both ways when chi came out on top by 3. If i had taken the poitns, i'd have pushed, but i though even crappy brooks could beat 'em. he should have and easily could have, but that's why bad teams are bad; they can't do the simple things right. if you can complete 4/4 ordinary handoffs and a 5-8 yard pass every other third down, you're in the game with chicago.

Chi is not a fraud, but neither is it as good as it was made out to be.

There is no positive proof that sea is anything more than an above average team, slightly less on the road.

If there is, no analyst at madjacks has pointed it out. What's the thing that the pit backers aren't seeing. What's this veiled greatness that will be revealed in the SB?

Somebody give me the factor that's going to dominate this game and on which the outcome will turn.

I say it's unhyped but virtually undefeated when healthy Roethlisberger's kicking off a Montana-n career with a convincing SB win in his sophomore year. That's what this game will look like in the rear-view mirror.

 

[1sob]

if u wanna give me 7 points i would take it in a heartbeat. yes, seatle has had a easy reg. season but sea has a running game and a good group of receivers. imo seattl covers and the 4 or the 7 ur gonna give me. im taking the over also since its played in a dome its gonna hit over by the 3rd qtr. put ur money where ur mouth is

 

[James Witt]

reading lessons. they can work.

 

[BigSix]

Lot of talk about how Sea had it easy but let's look at Pitt's last 7.


1)Beat the offense less Bears.
2)Beat the sex cruising fraud Vikes.
3)Beat the helpless Browns.
4)Ditto for the Lions.
5)Beat the Parmerless Bengals.
6)Beat the always Choke'n, Manning and the Colts.
7)Beat another Choke'n QB, Jake the mistake.

The real interest in this game for me is the match up of the West Coast offense vs the 3-4 defense that was created to stop it.

I'm hoping for a great SB from bell to bell.

I'll take the 4 and hopefully more.

Good Luck!

 

[Little Italy]

Hey Mav, do you remmeber in that game when Anthony Dorsett gave up like a 95 yard touchdown in that game..that guy sucks at life.

Just a homer raider fan...

 

[Glenn Quagmire]

I am not underestimating them at all..........I dont think its a surprise to anyone that the AFC is a lot stronger than the NFC this year.......even the oddsmakers think so........thats why you have a #6 seed favored over a #1........Look at some of the teams in the AFC who fell short........namely KC and SD.......

Now I dont speak for everyone but honestly I would take KC or SD in a pick em game over Seattle on a neutral field.........I just believe both are stronger teams..........

Of course I may be wrong but take Seattle out of that stadium they play in and I believe you will see a different team.......

As far as Hasslebeck...........Does'nt anyone remember how he played vs Dallas and the Giants this year at home.........he was nothing special...........and he really didnt light the world on fire vs Washington......How about last year in the playoff game vs the Rams??...........If you can criticize Plummer for his failures in the past its only fair to look at Hasslebecks past.................Yes he may be better than Plummer.......but no way he is as good as Manning..........

I guess the bottom line is this........Even if you take Seattle you dont really know how well they will perform on the road.........this year alone they struggled with the likes of Tennessee, San Francisco and lost to Washington and Jax...........with Pitt you know they can win in a hostile environment.......

Their road record is downright incredible the last 2 years.......

Maverick

Good post. You make valid points. And I know I've said this before so I don't want to beat a dead horse or anything, but I just don't think you can compare the SB to a regular season road game.

Every year the Seahawks log more travel miles than any other team because they are tucked away in the left corner of the country. They always do poorly against east coast teams because they fly in the day before and they immediately lose 3 hours when they land. It takes the average person a few days to get used to that difference, let alone someone who has to go out and play a football game the very next day. With the SB they will arrive a week early so the jet lag/time zone difference won't be a factor. They will also have some fans at the game so that will help too. The SF game they just played crap. They came out flat and it was obvious they thought they could just step on the field and win because SF is so bad. Big mistake.

As for Hass, I don't think he's perfect. The guy is prone to bad games just like any other QB. But if you look at his numbers they are pretty impressive. He had, I believe, the 4th or 5th best passer rating in the NFL this year. He also only threw 9 picks all year. He's not flashy, but he is a very smart QB who is a great leader. Anyone who follows this team regularly knows that he is the MVP of the team, not Alexander. I was actually very impressed with the game he had against Washington because after Alexander went down the Hawks had pretty much no running threat. The Skins knew the Hawks had to pass and they still couldn't force him into making any mistakes. Like I said, he's not better than Peyton or Tom Brady or some of the other high-profile QBs in the league, but he also isn't too far off.

Just my thoughts. Like I said before, good posts and I wish you luck on the game.

 

[maverick2112]

Hey Mav, do you remmeber in that game when Anthony Dorsett gave up like a 95 yard touchdown in that game..that guy sucks at life.

Just a homer raider fan...

Just like it was yesterday..............3rd and about 9 on like the 3 yard line..........Raiders have Baltimore right where they want them..........Trent Dilfer on a 3rd and nine from his own end zone in a passing situation............quick slant to Shannon Sharpe for like a 5 yard pas and BINGO.........he's off to the races for 95 yards.........big big play

 

[maverick2112]

if u wanna give me 7 points i would take it in a heartbeat. yes, seatle has had a easy reg. season but sea has a running game and a good group of receivers. imo seattl covers and the 4 or the 7 ur gonna give me. im taking the over also since its played in a dome its gonna hit over by the 3rd qtr. put ur money where ur mouth is

Now why would I lay 7 when I can get Pitt at -4????

I was saying if the superbowl line was Pitt -7 I would still take them........buy the way I have put my $$$ where my mouth is........

the last 2 week I have had Pitt on the moneyline for +4.50 and +1.50...........wire to wire wins.......