A comfortable "Fro"diction: the Steelers WILL win the Super Bowl

Many of my closest friends refer to me by the nickname, "Fro." When we're sitting around watching a game or chit-chatting about nothing (kinda like "Seinfeld") they like to slip "Fro" into everything.

For example, player names:

Frobe Bryant, Stephon Frobury, Jared Frofries, Nate Frobinson -- you get the idea.

Often "Fro" finds its way into general conversation, this time as a variation on "prediction." As one of my lifelong friends likes to say, this one here is "another awesome Frodiction." Painful, I know. Might as well call me Frostradamus..OK, I'll stop it there, even I can't take it anymore.

I'm not exactly going out a limb with this prediction, but in terms of sheer odds, I have a mere 25 percent chance to get it right. We have four NFL teams remaining, and of course the Steelers technically have a 1:4 shot at winning it all.

The biggest question about the Steelers was answered today when Ben Roethlisberger showed virtually no signs of rust after suffering a concussion just a couple weeks back. In fact, "Big Ben" looked sharp as ever, heaving wonderfully accurate throws downfield to speedsters Santonio Holmes and Nate Washington.

Ben's mid-range throws had plenty of zip on them as well. His efficiency, accuracy, and velocity made life easier for "Fast" Willie Parker, who sometimes isn't very fast at all. Parker's a hit-and-miss running back, sometimes rendered nearly obsolete against premier defensive opponents.

But Willie got some momentum going early, and his increasing confidence became palpable. He ended up just shy of 150 yards on the ground, and if Ben complemented him, then Willie was equally as helpful to his quarterback.

The Steelers' defense (almost) goes without mention, and they were solid, if not spectacular this evening.

Pittsburgh is winning it all for one simple reason: they are, unquestionably, the most balanced team remaining in the four-team field. I can say that without flinching because of Roethlisberger's reassuring performance against the Chargers.

The Ravens may be able to rival the Steelers defensively, but it's a no contest when comparing the two offenses. Roethlisberger is lightyears ahead of Flacco, and Hines Ward, Holmes, and Washington combine to create a dangerous receiving trio that the Ravens cannot match, or come close to matching. Derrick Mason basically stands alone in Baltimore's wideout pool.

Willie Parker can go toe-to-toe with the collective production of Willis McGahee and Le'Ron McClain, and Mike Tomlin is a gutsier coach than John Harbaugh right now. He'll make the tough call or decision if he's forced to. Harbaugh's content with controlled conservatism which fits his roster, but may not be enough to bring the Super Bowl trophy back to Baltimore.

The Steelers can beat you solely with defense, and the same can be said of the Ravens. But let's face it, the Ravens won't be lighting up the scoreboard any time soon, whereas the Steelers have the ability to do exactly that.

They proved it tonight.