The streets of downtown Dallas have been very quiet the last two days.
There are a few fans clad in Steelers and Packers jerseys milling aimlessly about, but it doesn’t feel quite like Super Bowl week yet. (With the exception of Florio recounting stories of old West Virginia games at dinner.)
The real action starts Monday, when the Steelers and Packers arrive in town. The media center will get busy, guests will start pouring into PFT Live, and it will be gameday before we know it.
I’m especially looking forward to this Super Bowl week because it might actually be about football for once. At least more than usual.
There will be no questions about the Patriots going undefeated or the improbable Cardinals. The feel good Saints and Peyton Manning’s place in history won’t be debated.
What we have this year is an uncommonly good matchup. It’s the lowest point spread for a Super Bowl in 27 years. The two quarterbacks are just entering their primes and among the game’s most exciting players to watch. (Not to mention most effective.)
We have the best defense in the league (Pittsburgh) against perhaps the most explosive passing attacks. We have two of the wisest defensive coordinators matching wits with exceptional linebackers on both sides. We don’t have a lot of drama.
Sure, the return of Ben Roethlisberger to the big stage after his sexual assault allegations last offseason will get a lot of attention. Please just don’t try to say that winning more football games than last year redeems him or anyone as a human.
Roethlisberger’s talents throwing the vertical pass and escaping sacks should be enough to talk about without turning into amateur psychologists.
For once, here’s to hoping we have a Super Bowl week that’s mostly about football.