Carucci's pick: Steelers in a close one

My pick for Super Bowl XL: Pittsburgh 27, Seattle 24.

1. The Steelers will be able to contain running back Shaun Alexander.
2. The Seahawks will not be able to handle the Steelers' blitz.
3. The Steelers will succeed with a balanced offense that will, once again, see Ben Roethlisberger use the passing game to create running room for Willie Parker and Jerome Bettis.
4. The Seahawks won't be able to generate enough offense to overcome the Steelers' ability to take a quick lead and then control the clock the rest of the way.




My projected key performers:
Joey Porter, outside linebacker. He is more than an outspoken player who seemingly searches for a reason to be angry even when it isn't there. He is a tremendous player, and has been absolutely on fire throughout the postseason. Porter is relentless in pursuit and has the athletic ability to consistently make plays in the open field. He makes the most of his quick feet and second effort, and does an excellent job of taking away cutback lanes. Porter also is a superb pass rusher from the edge.

Troy Polamalu, safety. Presuming his sore ankle doesn't bother him too much, he will be a difference-maker in the outcome. He is one of the very best defensive players in the game, and his presence should do plenty to consistently disrupt the Seahawks offense. Polamalu can blitz, play man coverage, is good in the underneath zone, and shows excellent speed and range to play in deep coverage. And he will do them all in the same game. The challenge for the quarterback is determining when he is going to do what, which is especially difficult because one of Polamalu's greatest talents is faking the blitz and then suddenly dropping into coverage.

Ben Roethlisberger, quarterback. His development as a passer in only one year is astounding. Rookies at his position rarely show that sort of improvement in Year 2. Not that Roethlisberger was that bad as a rookie, but he did have a meltdown in the playoffs. In this year's postseason, he has performed like a seasoned veteran. He has become increasingly efficient in his decision making and is keeping his mistakes to a minimum.

Alan Faneca, offensive guard, and Jeff Hartings, center. Faneca gains an immediate edge over most defenders by setting up quickly and getting his hands under their pads. He has the lower-body strength to move the pile in the running game, but also is fast enough to pull and trap. Hartings is as technically sound as any center in the league, taking good angles on blocks and keeping his feet under him most of the time. He plays with a nasty streak and is very physical at the point of attack.

Jerome Bettis and Willie Parker, running backs. Super Bowl XL has been all-Bettis-all-the-time because of his Detroit homecoming and the fact this will likely be his final game. Parker starts and has been getting most of the carries, but his outside speed probably won't be very effective against a defense that has linebackers with tremendous speed and range. Bettis' power-running style figures to have a greater impact because the Steelers can use it to wear down the Seahawks' smallish defensive front.