Speaking of beating Denver, the AFC Championship game was over when Ben hit Hines Ward for a touchdown right before half-time. As soon as I realized that the Steelers were heading to the Super Bowl, I started an internal debate with myself about whether the Steelers should wear their black uniforms or their white ones. I was absolutely sure that the Steelers would choose to wear the black ones, because the black against the gold is clearly the better looking combination. Yet, despite knowing what would look better, a part of me wished that the Steelers would wear their white uniforms. My reasoning was simple: I did not want to change anything...not a thing. You can call me superstitious, but the Steelers started this play-off winning-streak wearing the road whites, and I wanted to see that trend continue.
Low and behold, my wish was granted: the Steelers have indeed opted to wear their road whites for the Super Bowl.
At Cowher's press conference, he was asked for his rationale, and he simply said, "We are not playing at Heinz Field; this is a road game." I have been saying for weeks that the Steelers will win four straight road games to balance out their previous four road losses in the play-offs. But, Cowher's intentions are deeper than merely wearing the white uniforms to feel like they are on the road.
When pressed further, the truth was revealed: Cowher admitted to the fact that his team had won three straight games in the play-offs wearing the road whites...and he was not about to change ANYthing. Furthermore, when asked what he himself would wear, Cowher jokingly responded, "a black mock-turtleneck and a hat." Reading deeper into this jovial retort, one realizes that Cowher has worn the same black mock-turtleneck and the same tan hat in all three of Pittsburgh's play-off wins.
Being slightly obsessive-compulsive myself, I can fully understand Cowher's reasoning. In fact, I have to sit in the same place on the couch...because I have done so for all three play-off games. For weeks, while at work on the rare occasion that I use a color of pen that matches Pittsburgh's opponent (e.g. orange or blue for Denver), I then have to use a black and a yellow pen right afterwards. Finally, whenever I eat during a game, I always take four bites...never three...never five...always four bites. Similarly, I eat things in groups of four (e.g. four grapes).
Superstitions aside, Cowher is not overlooking the Seahawks...and neither is his team. All one needs to do is watch Hines Ward's press conference held after the AFC Championship game: Hines was so dead-serious, that he seemed angry. "We are not happy just going to the Super Bowl; we want to get [Jerome Bettis] a ring."
In other words, all of those predictions that state that the Steelers are going to be overconfident heading into the Super Bowl and/or that Pittsburgh will overlook the Seahawks...well...those rumors can simply stop. The Steelers realize that they are playing the number-one offense in the NFL. Pittsburgh understands that the Seahawks led the NFL in sacks. Simply, the Steelers are completely focused on this game...down to the minutia (e.g. the color of their uniforms).
Some have said that since the Super Bowl is two whole weeks after the championship games, the Seahawks got a break. I would agree, because for the past three games, the Steelers were on such a roll, that if the Super Bowl was only one week after the championships, I would take the Steelers against ANY team in history: bring on the 1985 Chicago Bears!
That said, while two weeks off might slow the Steelers down a bit, it will not be by much. Even after cooling off, the Steelers are still the better team. I do not need to analyze match-ups, break-down statistics, or evaluate offensive and/or defensive rankings to predict the outcome of this game: simply, the Steelers will out-physical the Seahawks...and that is why the Steelers will win Super Bowl XL.
Now, if you will excuse me, I must get my couch situated just right, buy some black and yellow pens, and arrange my cookies and chips into groups of four.
