So much for the hype

DETROIT – All week long it’s been about Jerome Bettis’ homecoming, the Joey Porter-Jerramy Stevens’ sideshow and NFC No. 1-seeded Seattle being an underdog against AFC No. 6 Pittsburgh.

Today, it’s about football again – and maybe the commercials – when the Seahawks and Steelers meet at Ford Field in Super Bowl XL. Kickoff is slated for 3:25 p.m. PST.

“It’s been my experience that players I’ve been around, they’re kind of tired of talking to me,” Seattle coach Mike Holmgren said, when asked if he’ll spend extra time with quarterback Matt Hasselbeck prior to the game. “And I’m a little tired of talking to them. So the plan is to let them rest, let them get ready, let them think about it without me interrupting their thoughts.”

Both teams could be excused for being all talked out. The injury report isn’t entirely accurate. There should be roughly 100 players and coaches listed with sore throats. All the hot air from six days of press conferences kept the snow away from Detroit until Saturday, when neither team had media obligations. It snowed sideways.

But there won’t be any weather worries inside domed Ford Field. Just two teams trying to figure out a way to get their hands on the Lombardi Trophy.

“We have four trophies in our building and I pass them every day,” said coach Bill Cowher, referring to Pittsburgh’s four Super Bowl wins in the 1970s. “To bring another one (home) would be very gratifying and very special for the whole team.”

Seattle will lean on an improving defense and a fast-paced offense predicated on balance. Hasselbeck has been enormously efficient most of the season. MVP Shaun Alexander set an NFL record with 28 regular-season touchdowns.

“We are more effective, they tune in better and they go at things harder if our tempo is good,” Holmgren said.

Pittsburgh relies on a blitzing 3-4 defense, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s maturity beyond his 23 years and a ground game fueled by speed (Willie Parker) and power (Bettis).

“For 12 seasons I’ve watched other players go through Media Day and through the build up for a Super Bowl,” said Bettis, who is probably playing in his final game. “And I’ve always wished it could be me and now I have that opportunity. I relish every minute of it.”

Seattle is bidding for the city’s first professional men’s championship since the 1979 SuperSonics won the NBA title.

“We’re not just satisfied with being here and putzing around for a couple hours (today),” Seahawks fullback Mack Strong said. “We came here to win.”