Steelers vs. Seahawks: Examining the Controversial Calls of Super Bowl XL | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

Of all teams, the 2005 Steelers and their fans cannot be labeled as hypocrites as it concerns the notion that "Seattle should have overcome controversy to win."

In fact, the Pittsburgh Steelers defined that notion in those playoffs. 

Against the Indianapolis Colts in the Divisional Playoffs, Troy Polamalu intercepted Peyton Manning in the fourth quarter.  Upon rising from the RCA Dome turf, the safety's knee dislodged the ball from his arms, though he did fall on it and secure possession for Pittsburgh.

The officials ruled the pass as incomplete, and the Colts turned what could have become a 28-10 blowout into a competitive football game. 

Later in the game, Jerome Bettis—in a moment completely out of character—fumbled at the goal line after a series of sacks on Manning set the Steelers offense up with an opportunity to put the game away.

It was not a moment indicative of a champion, but the aftermath of the events showcased the team's mettle. 

Ben Roethlisberger wisely and immediately started backwards, tackling Nick Harper, who was in perfect position to score the game-winning touchdown with only the Pittsburgh quarterback able to stop him. 

With the ball in Manning's hands, the Colts quarterback attempted to guide his offense to the winning score.  The defense held, including excellent coverage on Reggie Wayne during a Manning pass attempt into the endzone.

Mike Vanderjagt missed a game-tying field goal, and the Steelers overcame a fourth quarter rife with adversity to win in Indianapolis.

Fittingly, two weeks later at the Super Bowl, the Steelers played against a Seattle team that displayed the opposite tendency in critical situations.

While most of the controversial calls were accurate, Seattle fans will always point to one holding call and an odd flag against their quarterback as the deciding factors in their loss.  Lost in this assessment is their quarterback's immediate interception following the assessed holding infraction, and the irrelevance of the low block considering the nature of the subsequent touchdown.

Further, Seattle never capitalized on a fast start, while Pittsburgh overcame a sluggish beginning.  Ben Roethilisberger, with a chance to put Seattle in a huge deficit, gift-wrapped the Seahawk's chance to win the game with an inexcusable interception in the second half.

For their gratitude, the Seahawks allowed a couple of close calls to be their undoing, proven by their response.

In fact, Pittsburgh's lone first half touchdown was set up against adversity, as Ben Roethlisberger made an amazing play to Hines Ward near the goal line after a series of setbacks set up third and long yardage.

How did Seattle fare in a similar circumstance?

Was it not the Steelers that ran the clock out in the final minutes?

Was it not Seattle that blew clock management at the end of the first half, missed two long field goals, and had over nine minutes to respond against a Steelers defense that stuffed them late in the game?

At the end of the day, in a contest full of close calls and one questionable flag, it was the Steelers whose championship pedigree was showcased during the game's critical moments.  

Super Bowl XL was a poorly executed contest, but it was not poorly officiated.  In a game filled with sloppy play, Pittsburgh saved its best execution for the most important moments, culminating in a touchdown pass for the ages to put the game away.

THE VERDICT:  Champions win.