Breaking it down, unit vs. unit

STEELER RUN OFFENSE VS. SEAHAWK RUN DEFENSE

* The Steelers do a great job of taking what a defense gives them. Pittsburgh throws when the safeties come up and runs when the safeties drop back. Speedy Willie Parker will get most of the carries, but he’s more susceptible to fumbles than Jerome Bettis (his turnover at Indianapolis notwithstanding). Bettis will get the ball around the goal line, and/or if Pittsburgh builds a second-half lead and needs to burn the clock. The Seahawks like to let their big guys clog the middle so their ultra-quick linebackers can make plays. Middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu is an essential component to stopping the run. Plus, he makes all the defensive calls. The Seahawks have given up only 58.6 rushing yards a game and 2.5 yards a carry over the past seven games.

Edge: Seahawks.

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STEELER PASS OFFENSE VS. SEAHAWK PASS DEFENSE

* A huge factor for Pittsburgh is tight end Heath Miller, who seems to catch everything thrown his way. He keeps the defense honest, because he’s usually open down the middle if one of the receivers draws a double-team. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has been poised and accurate this postseason, and he could be getting Antwaan Randle El more involved in the Super Bowl. Hines Ward has caught seven touchdown passes in his last seven postseason games. Seattle’s secondary has done a lot with a no-name group of players. Cornerback Marcus Trufant has been playing well lately. An issue is the condition of cornerback Andre Dyson, who has been bothered by leg problems.

Edge: Steelers.

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SEAHAWK RUN OFFENSE VS. STEELER RUN DEFENSE

* His toughness has been questioned, but Shaun Alexander wasn’t handed those 1,880 yards and that MVP trophy. He’s certainly the best back in this game, and he’s running behind the league’s best offensive line. The appropriately named Mack Strong is a hammer at fullback. How the Seahawks handle Pittsburgh’s 3-4 scheme could be the decisive factor in the game. The Seahawks have to stay patient with their running game; those plays that gain two or three yards early could lead to big gains later in the game. These aren’t the same Seahawks who were outrushed 858 yards to 212 in their last five playoff games away from home. Pittsburgh has allowed only one rusher to gain 100 yards in the last 32 games. The Steelers have an outstanding defensive front, especially with Casey Hampton stuffing up the middle and Troy Polamalu coming up in run support.

Edge: Even.

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SEAHAWK PASS OFFENSE VS. STEELER PASS DEFENSE

* This is where the Seahawks feel they have a real advantage. They think they can throw against Pittsburgh and take advantage of mismatches on the corners. Getting tight end Jerramy Stevens involved, as Seattle did in the NFC championship game, will force Polamalu to get more involved in coverage situations rather than allowing him to blitz with impunity. Darrell Jackson, Bobby Engram and Joe Jurevicius are all effective receivers, and backup quarterback Seneca Wallace -- whose only career catch was a spectacular one against Carolina -- is an interesting wrinkle Pittsburgh has to consider. Steeler corners Deshea Townsend and Ike Taylor are decent; safety Chris Hope was playing better earlier this season.

Edge: Seahawks.

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SPECIAL TEAMS

* Whereas Seattle’s units are fairly average, Pittsburgh’s have been outstanding, especially in the postseason. The Steelers’ Chris Gardocki has punted 12 times in the playoffs, landing six inside the 20-yard line. Randle El has averaged 10.5 yards a punt return, more than triple the 3.3-yard average the Steeler punt-coverage team has given up. Kicker Jeff Reed hasn’t missed in the postseason, although he did boot a kickoff out of bounds. Seattle kicker Josh Brown is as good as Reed, and Seahawk punter Tom Rouen, a former Denver Bronco, has plenty of playoff experience -- although his low punt to Carolina’s Steve Smith was returned for a touchdown. Seattle’s punt returners could be a problem. Peter Warrick isn’t great and Jimmy Williams is prone to turnovers.

Edge: Steelers.

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INTANGIBLES

* How’s this for a bit of Hasselbeck mojo: He wears No. 8, and quarterbacks wearing that number are 5-0 in Super Bowls (Troy Aikman won three; Steve Young and Trent Dilfer won one each.) Both teams have doggedly labeled themselves the underdog, but Seattle has the edge there. There has been so much hubbub surrounding the return of Bettis to Detroit and the rise of the sixth-seeded Steelers that the Seahawks have gotten lost in the shuffle. Seattle got a real lift this season from its so-called 12th man -- the raucous home crowd -- and yet neither team has the edge in that department. Most of the Super Bowl tickets go to corporate types who are just excited to be there, so it’s loud throughout.

Edge: Seahawks.

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COACHING

* There’s no arguing the success of Pittsburgh Coach Bill Cowher, who has gotten his franchise to the AFC title game six times during his tenure. Dick LeBeau, the Steeler defensive coordinator, is a master motivator and Xs-and-O’s artist, the architect of “Blitzburgh’s” 3-4 scheme. But remember, Seattle’s Mike Holmgren has a Super Bowl ring, and he’s improved as a leader since being asked to give up his general manager duties. He’s a better-than-respectable game-planner when given two weeks to devise a plan of attack.

Edge: Seahawks.

The pick: Seahawks, 27-17.

* If the Seahawks can establish the run, they should be able to exploit the weaknesses of the Pittsburgh secondary, particularly if Polamalu’s tender ankle is a factor. Don’t underestimate the value of being the underdog in this game. Pittsburgh has gotten ego strokes all week, allowing Seattle to quietly seethe in wait.

-- Sam Farmer