Prediction Time

by Rafael Vela on Feb 5, 2006 12:27 PM CST in Dallas Cowboys News

Okay, you've got just under six hours to make your picks. I'm even taking Vegas-style predictions, such as, who will rush for the most yards? Will any back get 100 yards? Who will throw more interceptions? Who will score first? Which player will score first? Will either defense score? Etc. (Sorry, but there's no payout here for your amazing predictions, not matter how correct they might be.)

Feel free to make up your own categories.

I've been looking at this one a long time. My head says Pittsburgh but my gut says Seattle. Mike Holmgren teams have only been held under 20 points twice in his long career. Those were his '93 and '94 editions, which were also his first two playoff teams. (Any guesses on which team shut them down?) He's gotten much better as time has gone on. He's gonna get this team to score.

My one concern is that Pittsburgh might have the muscle to start grinding Seattle's front down. If the Seahawks can limit the Steelers run yardage on early downs they can get after Ben Roethlisberger. Everybody, and I mean everybody has underestimated their pass rush this year. It's good and it comes from four guys. They don't blitz much because they don't have to. And that's the type of trait that wins you Super Bowls.

Here goes: Seattle 27, Pittsburgh 21

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I’m going for the Steelers on this one. I’d say mmmm 17 to 27

by Volrath on Feb 5, 2006 12:58 PM CST reply actions

Give me the Seahawks going away, 37-17.

by Scooter on Feb 5, 2006 1:01 PM CST reply actions

Really Raf? You’re touting Seattle’s pass rush? I remember them not getting much – late sack by GWistrom -when Dallas played them. And that was against the great Tackle tandem of Tucker/Petitte.

I think Seattle wins 21-18 because SAlexander is going to run for a bunch behind that Really, Really Good OLine.

by alanTdot on Feb 5, 2006 1:21 PM CST reply actions

alanTdot,

Don’t go off a one game sample size. That was probably the best half game of Torrin Tucker’s career. And remember, the Cowboys didn’t pass much. And my memory is different from yours. I recall them getting three sacks of Bledsoe in the first ten minutes of the third quarter.

They led the NFC in sacks, maybe the whole NFL, though I’m too lazy to check.

by Rafael Vela on Feb 5, 2006 1:23 PM CST reply actions

I should have been more specific. I like their Tackles, I think their DE’s are overrated and will disappear today.

Their pass rush is like Arizona’s pass attack. Might Be #1, but it didn’t cause many victories last season.

Full Disclosure, I just think Wistrom is overrated. And I think the Big 12 gets too much Ink also.

by alanTdot on Feb 5, 2006 1:47 PM CST reply actions

I thought Wistrom’s sack was caused by Marquand Manuel holding/tripping Witten in the endzone.
To the topic, Casey Hampton is too fat, and so is The Bus. Willie Parker is an ordinary back, and Cedric Wilson is unknown. Steve Hutchinson is the best left guard, Walter Jones is one of the best left tackles, Gray and Locklear are OK. Cowboys gave the center Toebeck some problems with blitzes up the middle, but Jerramy Stevens will make some catches against Polamalu, and the Seahawks will win, if they don’t fumble punts(as they did against the Cowboys and/or kickoffs(as they did against the Texans).

by Lee on Feb 5, 2006 1:56 PM CST reply actions

Lee,

you are right about that sack.

I don’t think that Pittsburgh will be able to bully the middle of the Seattle Line.

i just see Alexander running the ball about thirty five times today.

by alanTdot on Feb 5, 2006 2:01 PM CST reply actions

heres my predictions:

Seattle will recieve the ball.

Alexander goes for 100+.

Pittsburgh gets 2 TOs, one on a Hasselback int and another on a fumble.

The Bus runs for 75.

Lofa Totuputo is the games leader in tackles.

Pitt scores first, with a field goal.

10-7 Pitt at the half.

Pitt wins in a close one, 20-17.

by lou c on Feb 5, 2006 2:12 PM CST reply actions

Seattle: I like Seattle because their offense is more stable and dependable. This factor will predominate in the second half. Seattle 20 Pittsburg 10

by linus on Feb 5, 2006 2:14 PM CST reply actions

First Quarter:+++++++++
Steelers 7 Seattle 3
Second Quarter+++++++++
Steelers 7 Seattle 3
Third Quarter++++++++++
Steelers 10 Seattle 10
Fourth Quarter+++++++++
Steelers 10 Seattle 20

by linus on Feb 5, 2006 2:22 PM CST reply actions

No RB runs for 100 yards as Cowher and Holmgren know that they have teams that are run oriented and they’re going to leave 6 guys in the box to stop the run. The two teams will have to rely heavily on their QB’s and that’s when the diference comes, Hasselbeck is much more prepared for this game that Rothenburger. Porter and Haggans won’t be capabble of doing much while facing Walter Jones and Sean Locklear.

Seattle 27 – Pitt 20

by Chandus on Feb 5, 2006 2:28 PM CST reply actions

alanTdot:
You’re way underestimating the Seattle front 4, Wistrom is the big name but he isn’t the best player, that front counts for 32.5 sacks with Bryce Fisher and Rocky Bernard counting for 17.5.

BTW, Bledsoe was sacked 5 times in that game, twice by Fisher and twice by the 2 starting DT’s.

by Chandus on Feb 5, 2006 2:59 PM CST reply actions

I have no idea what the score will be, but am hoping like crazy the Seahawks win. I enjoy holding five super bowl wins over every other team’s (besides the Niners’) heads.

I’ll give a guess. SEA 27 PIT 14

Poke

by Poke on Feb 5, 2006 3:26 PM CST reply actions