The Political Spectrum

Rumor has it there's some sort of game being played later today. Some super game. Being on the East Coast, I was aware that the Pittsburgh Steelers were in Detroit for some reason, but I thought they were in town just to collect the Vince Lombardi trophy as a reward for winning the championship two weeks ago against the Broncos. Alas, it appears as though the city of Seattle fielded an entrant into this year's NFL playoff tournament, and they are challenging the men from Pittsburgh to a contest this evening.

As they say, it's all in how you play the game. Some might say it's all about control and if you can take it. And there is a lot of truth to that, for the team that protects the ball is likely to win the game. Turnovers are brutal in these important games.

In other regards, though, the game is about pain, and who's gonna make it. The Steelers have a thunderous defense, and I expect them to apply a lot of pressure on Seahawks' quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. But the Seahawks also possess a reltively unheralded defense, and if they can contain the Steelers one-two running back combination of Porter Parker and Betis, then they will have put the game solidly in the hands of second-year quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Even though he has shown signs of great maturity, he is still a young pup as far as the league is concerned. I expect the Seahawks to try and play some mental games with the young qb, taunting him with shouts of "I am the pain, and I know you can't take me." I think Ben will looking over his shoulder for a lot of the game, and he'll be ready to run. But Ben is ready for the game, and he wants to play.

Ultimately, though I think Seattle has a fine team, their foundations are crumbling. In the end, I fear that Shaun Alexander will be left dangling like a man from his attic, prone to heavy punishment.

Steelers 34, Seahawks 17.

All right then. It's time to play the game.

Time to play the gaaaaaaame.