I don’t have a dog in the fight. My Redskins got knocked down by Seattle a couple of weeks back. But like most of the rest of America (where does Turkey come down, Jim?), I’m going to rooting for Pittsburgh next week. Bettis deserves a ring. So does Cowher. The organization has put together a great team with players who respect each other and respect the game. (Yesterday, running back Willie Parker — who’s the regular starter these days — said that Bettis should get the start for the Super Bowl.) They’ve earned it.

Seattle, on the other hand, hasn’t. I don’t care how good Shaun Alexander is. Every indication is that he’s an arrogant jerk. And I’m glad that Seahawks managed to make peace with each other for one season, but they’re the new kids on the block. Do this for a couple of more years and come back. Until then, I’ll take Pittsburgh.

Cam adds: My Patriots bowed out a couple of weeks ago as well, but I’ve gotta root for Big Ben and the Steelers. I’m a sucker for a good underdog story (comes from being a lifelong Red Sox fan, I guess), but the allure of a 2nd year quarterback from a small college winning the Super Bowl is too good to pass up.

Now, the real question: Will Mick Jagger break a hip during the halftime show?

Marshall: Or will he tear off Keith Richards’ shirt, revealing that the guitarist actually is the bionic man?

Jim: Haven’t seen a bit of Super Bowl coverage or discussion in these parts. Look at the bright side - no matter how boring the game, you guys won’t have to wake up at 2 a.m. to watch it.

• Thought One: I know Seattle switched conferences a few years back, but I’m old enough so that this feels like an all-AFC matchup.
• Thought Two: My interest in football wanes in the Jets’ rebuilding years, so I know less about these teams than almost any other Super Bowl matchup I can remember. Talk about your low-drama, blue-collar, all-blitz no-glitz teams. Should be a good, hard-fought game, but this ain’t exactly the Joe Montana-era 49ers vs the late-Elway-era Broncos.
• Thought Three: A good friend is a diehard Steeler fan; I suspect if they win, he will name his first child “Bettis.” Yeah, even if it’s a girl. Another old friend grew up playing football with the Hasselbecks, so I guess he would be thrilled with a Seahawk win. Can a Jet fan find a dog in this fight? I guess if Pittsburgh wins, I can claim that the Jets came within an easy field goal of beating the Super Bowl champs, a year removed.