Mike Holmgren versus Bill Cowher. "Big Ben" Roethlisberger versus the outspoken Matt Hasselbeck. Motormouth Joey Porter versus "specialist" Jerramy Stevens. An AFC power with a trophy-laden history versus a transplant NFC team looking to establish the roots of its own legacy. Super Bowl XL might not be the stuff legends are made of, but for the football faithful, there are plenty of great storylines to follow. Seattle comes into the game as the dominant force in the NFC, slicing through an easy schedule with the help of a powerful offensive line, a superstar running back, and a quarterback who just doesn't like to lose. Over in the AFC, deep play-off runs are nothing new for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Since Bill Cowher took over the Pittsburgh coaching duties in 1992, the Steelers have made it to the postseason a remarkable 10 times, won their division eight times, and been to the Super Bowl twice.

Here in our GameSpot Sports Spotlight of Super Bowl XL, we take a look at the keys to the game for both teams during this weekend's upcoming championship game, and we give you a look at how Madden NFL '06--the only NFL football game on the market these days--predicts the action will unfold this Sunday at Ford Field in Detroit.

If you're looking for even more NFL action, be sure to check out our special Super Bowl XL video feature, which will take you from start to finish for this year's simulated Super Bowl. With no further ado, let's take a look at each of the teams in Sunday's game, and break down the keys to their Super Bowl success.

Good News
In his fifth year as Seattle's quarterback, Matt Hasselbeck has helped to turn Seattle into one of the most successful offenses in the NFC--one that is just as deadly on the ground as it is when going to the air. In the regular season, the Seahawks put together one of the most prolific offenses in the conference, averaging 369.7 yards (2nd in the NFC) and 28.3 points (1st in the NFC) per game.

Shaun Alexander busted heads and broke records on his way to becoming the all-time single-season touchdown record holder, as well as leading the league in total yards, yards per game, and rushing attempts. A head injury took the NFL MVP out early in the divisional play-off game against the Redskins, but Alexander came back strong against the Panthers, racking up 132 yards on the ground--and making the Panthers' vaunted defense look silly in the process.

Bad News
Seattle's success lies with its sterling offensive line. If the Steelers can find a way to penetrate and deliver some punishing hits to Alexander up the middle, the Seahawks just might crumble completely. Shaun Alexander's "phantom" concussion in the divisional play-offs had critics questioning his toughness.

No News
Forget the talk of the Seahawks' cream puff NFC schedule. Thirteen regular season wins in the NFL is still 13 wins (unless, of course, you're the Indianapolis Colts, where 14 wins means jack squat). The Seahawks didn't often win big during the regular season--eking by the 49ers by two in Week 11 and barely squeezing by Tennessee in week 15--but they saved their best for last, outlasting both Washington and Carolina by a combined score of 54 to 24.

The biggest ingredient in the Seahawk's recipe for success? Its strong and smart offensive line.

Here's a stat: In Seattle's ignominious one-and-done play-off performances of 2003 and 2004, running back Shaun Alexander averaged just 42.5 yards rushing per game. In two playoff games in 2005, Alexander is averaging 70.5 yards on the ground (that number, despite a paltry nine-yard performance against the Redskins in the divisional game).

BOTTOM LINE

Seattle wins if...its offensive line can keep up the sterling play that has lead Shaun Alexander to a rushing title and helped Matt Hasselbeck become the kind of QB his coach always hoped he'd be.

Seattle loses if...they can't find a way to get pressure on Big Ben.

Look out for...Darrell Jackson. If Madden NFL '06 is any indication, the Seahawks' wideout could have a monster game at a time when his team needs him most. Jackson struggled through a chunk of the regular season with injuries, only to come up huge in the divisional game with nine receptions, 143 yards, and a touchdown. Hasselbeck will need that kind of production from D-Jack on Sunday.

Good News
In just his second year as field general of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Ben Roethlisberger has marshaled the terrible towels in Steeltown to 26 wins and just four losses as a starter (counting the postseason). Despite posting 14 straight wins last year, the critics still doubted Roethlisberger's ability as a rookie. Though this season hasn't seen the same number of wins as 2004, the quality of those Big Ben-lead victories--including consecutive wins against the top-three-seeded teams in the AFC during the play-offs--indicates that Roethlisberger is for real.

Super Bowl XL Trivia: Jerome Bettis is from Detroit, Michigan.

Bad News
Losing four more games than in 2004 has made the Steelers a gutsier team--in fact, their play-off performance in knocking off favorites has been nothing short of remarkable. Part of the team's success has been attributed to a slight shift in Bill Cowher's philosophy--he's letting Big Ben open up the offense and throw the ball on first down every once in a while. Cowher isn't afraid to mix in a trick play here and there, as well. Still, one can't help but wonder when the wheels on the bus will quit going round and round. Have the Steelers, in playing such amazing football to get to Detroit, finally run out of gas?

No News
Sorry, sports media. Beyond putting the "extra large" in Super Bowl XL, Jerome Bettis won't be much of a story once the big game is over and done with. "The Bus" is best saved for short-yardage situations, and Bill Cowher--by placing more trust in Roethlisberger's decision making--seems to be pointing his Steelers toward a pass-first philosophy these days.

Here's a stat: Willie Williams, the longtime Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback, is the sole remaining player from the team's 1996 Super Bowl XXX appearance. Though the media has made much of Williams' Super Bowl experience, one wonders how much wisdom he'll have to share with his teammates based on his mediocre performance against the Cowboys, which saw him record just three solo tackles and no interceptions.

BOTTOM LINE

Pittsburgh wins if...it puts the brakes on Shaun Alexander and forces Hasselbeck to go to the air. The Steelers can outscore Seattle's wideouts; things are trickier when #37 starts finding the end zone.

Pittsburgh loses if...its only viable offensive weapon is Hines Ward. In order to put up the points, the Steelers are going to need to spread the love among their receivers. And eat up some clock in the process.

Look out for...Heath Miller. The rookie tight end out of Virginia has quickly become one of Ben Roethlisberger's favorite targets. Like all receiving TEs, Miller is a big target with good hands and even a few moves in the open field. Expect to see him catch a few clock-chewing first downs in the game and maybe even a touchdown if the opportunity presents itself.

Curious as to how Madden NFL '06 for the Xbox calls the game? Turn the page for a quarter-by-quarter recap!