Seattle Seahawks Take on Pittsburgh Steelers in 2nd Post-XL Matchup

If not for one particular detail, this Sunday’s Seahawks game against the Steelers probably wouldn’t be getting much national attention. Especially since it’s tough to try and set this game up as a revenge game for the Seahawks when only two players remain on the roster from Super Bowl XL. Rather than playing for the Lombardi Trophy, the two teams are instead playing for their first win of the season, and that shouldn’t be cause for much excitement.

So, in what would otherwise be just another game between two teams that once played in the Super Bowl, the NFL has seemingly fanned the embers burning in the hearts of Seahawks fans who had nearly gone cold. Bill Leavy, the same Super Bowl referee who admitted last year that he blew a couple calls in that game, will be officiating. So here we go again, all of the blown calls made more than five years ago are back on the minds of Seahawks fans.

But let’s put this game into a bit of perspective. Exactly what will be more troubling to fans while watching this game? Will it be the constant reminders about how close the team was to winning its first Super Bowl in 2006? Or will you be more disappointed by the reminder of how different this year’s team is in comparison? Or maybe you’re already disappointed by how different this team is in comparison to last year’s playoff team.

No matter where each fan’s level of disappointment falls, the common goal should be to finally put Super Bowl XL to the back of our minds. Nobody’s asking anyone to completely forget about it, but it is definitely time to move on. Again, most probably have, but Sunday will no doubt offer plenty of reminders.

During his Friday press conference, Coach Pete Carroll said he hasn’t really talked to the team about Leavy’s presence.

“It’s too far in the past to think that it’s going to be a factor. I don’t know why it would be,” he said.

Translation: Apart from two guys, nobody is left from that team. In fact, half the current team was probably still in high school when they watched the game.   

Still, Carroll mentioned that he understands feelings still remain in Seattle, but doesn’t expect any impact in how Leavy will call the game.  

“He’s a pro,” said Carroll. “I’m sure he’s going to try and officiate a good solid football game.”

Rather than focus on the officiating, Carroll talked about preparing the team in key areas: mental preparation, protecting the quarterback and finding tempo.

“We need to establish the line of scrimmage. We love to run the football,” said Carroll. “What we need to find is the balance in the tempo that allows us to play.”

The coach also noted how the team was making the commitment to prepare for the early east coast start. It’s no secret that Seattle hasn’t played well when traveling east, and Carroll said the team has been taking a number of measures to help prepare for the early game time.

“We’ve got three trips [to the east coast]—they all have to be huge games for us.”

Brandan Schulze is a Navy veteran and member of the military chapter of the Sea Hawkers, the official booster club for the Seattle Seahawks. For more information on the chapter, visit www.militaryseahawkers.com. Membership is free for all military service members and veterans.