Subpar Bowl

So it wasn't a good game. Neither team played well. Most people agree that the officiating was sketchy at best. As a Seattle-residing Steelers fan who normally supports the Sea Chickens (since they never play the Steelers during the regular season), it was a very strange game to watch. I didn't think there was anything Super about this Bowl game. However.

I'm hearing a lot in Sea-town about how the refs won the game for the Steelers. Now, I agree that the Steelers didn't exactly bring out their A game. In fact, they were being completely outplayed in the first half...yet the Seahawks still only managed to score 3 points on them. The Steelers only had three big plays the entire game, but that was enough to outdo the Seahawks' dropped passes, missed fieldgoals, and unrealized opportunities in the endzone.

The complaints about the officiating are nothing new. I hear that after every single game. The losers complain about unfair calls while the winners wipe their brow in relief that the calls didn't go against them. It's part of the game -- the refs are doing the best they can to make split-second judgement calls. Yes, they make mistakes. And yes, I think at least two mistakes were made against the Seahawks during this game. But, as I said, it's part of the game. Winning is about playing the game better than your opponent -- which includes being able to turn around momentum shifts and come back to make up for questionable calls.

It's like an actor claiming, "I'm a really good actor -- the best there is -- except when you turn those cameras and lights on me, and make me work with other actors. It really messes up my energy." Well then, you're not that good an actor.

Chris mentioned one thing about the game that bothers me. I like to see a certain level of sportsmanship on the field. Apparently, the Steelers were mouthing off to the Seahawks during the game and doing things like purposefully stepping over them after a tackle rather then helping them up. That disappoints me. That's how the Raiders play, not the Steelers.

Back to the Subpar Bowl. I've been hearing a lot of "the best team didn't win" around here. I agree. After all, who says the "best" teams were even playing in the game? The nature of the playoffs is such that the team that has the most passion and drive can come from behind to get to the final game. Also, the winning team in one conference plays the winning team in the other conference -- regardless of how evenly-matched the conferences are.

If this was really about the "best" teams playing each other, then there would be no need for playoffs because the season's records and statistics would determine the final two. But that's not what it's about -- it's about skill combined with drive, passion, the ability to maintain composure and momentum, and a little bit of luck. Sometimes the luck/calls/fans are on your side and sometimes they aren't. Sometimes you perform well in the clutch and sometimes you don't. It's all part of the game.