Missed opportunities
DETROIT – The turning point of Super Bowl XL also served as a microcosm of the game.
Seattle had closed within 14-10 late in the third quarter when it started a promising drive that spilled over into the fourth quarter. Like numerous other Seahawks’ possessions on this day, it ended in frustration.
After driving to the Steelers’ 19, quarterback Matt Hasselbeck completed a pass to Jerramy Stevens to the 1, but it was erased by a holding penalty on tackle Sean Locklear.
“I thought it was a free play for us,” said Hasselbeck, who finished 26 of 49 for 273 yards. “I thought they were offsides but that wasn’t the case.”
Instead, Seattle was backed up to its 29. Two plays later, Hasselbeck’s pass sailed high over receiver Darrell Jackson’s head and into the arms of Ike Taylor, who returned the ball 24 yards.
“The ball was just a little high,” Jackson said. “I don’t really know what happened. I just know it was a turning point in the game.”
Pittsburgh took over at its 44 and stung Seattle with a trick play. Receiver Antwaan Randle El took a reverse handoff, pulled up and hit Hines Ward for a 43-yard touchdown.
“Guys didn’t handle their responsibilities and that’s what happens,” Seattle defensive end Grant Wistrom said. “If everybody does their job out there, you cover those plays and those don’t happen.”
Stevens slips up
Stevens set off a firestorm during the week with a benign comment about spoiling Jerome Bettis’ homecoming to Detroit. Steelers linebacker Joey Porter responded by calling Stevens “soft.” Apparently he wasn’t referring to Stevens’ hands.
The fourth-year tight end had three costly dropped passes.
“I don’t think I would do anything differently,” said Stevens, who had three receptions for 25 yards and one touchdown. “I think my preparation was good and was exactly what it was supposed to be. When it came to the game, I just didn’t get it done.”
Road trip
It was a neutral site, but Seattle players were well aware of the predominately Steelers crowd at Ford Field.
“We’re so far away from home,” Seahawks defensive end Marcus Tubbs said. “But I never knew they’d back their team like that and that so many people would make the drive to see the game. It felt like a road game to us.”
Crowd noise wasn’t responsible for most of Seattle’s seven penalties, but the Steelers’ fed off the fans’ energy.
“That’s the great thing about the Steelers,” safety Troy Polamalu said. “Our fans travel all over. I remember the last time we played in Seattle my rookie year. We had louder fans than them.”
Notes
Ben Roethlisberger finished with a woeful 22.6 passer rating. He was 9 of 21 for 123 yards with two interceptions. Hasselbeck’s passer rating was 67.8. … Jackson caught five first-quarter passes to tie a Super Bowl record. He didn’t have a reception the rest of the game. … After a slow start, Shaun Alexander finished with 95 yards on 20 attempts.