It was Holmgren, a great coach, that cost them a game they dominated.
His strategy was abysmal...he was outcoached by Cowher, who wasn't even trying to outcoach him!
His reliance on Stevens on over-the-middle routes, instead of using Jurevicius was one obvious problem...but there were many other strategic errors that he made in preparing his team for this type of game. Holmgren is a great, great coach. But he was terrible, strategically, today. And it cost his team.
NFL Network just gave an important stat 5-17 on 3rd down conversions. What's especially important about that is Seattle faced fewer 3rd downs than any team in the league this season. That's really the game right there, as you say the big plays, being forced to more 3rd down than the other team (Steelers were 8 of 15, remarkable when you consider their first 3 possessions) and converting on less than 1/3 will cost you the game.
And let's not forget the gadget plays. I've never seen one gadget play build off another like that before. The 1st half reverse then the 2nd half fake reverse to the TD throw were pretty impressive, Seattle had to respect the reverse the second time around.
Were their bad calls? Yes. Did some go against Seattle? Sure. Is that why they lost? No. Again I go back to Cowher, if you lose "because" of the refs then you really lost because you put yourself in a position where the refs mattered too much.
You're incorrect.....it was Holmgren's preparation that led to them dominating the game statistically. They were able to run the ball better than most against Pittsburgh, and they gave Hbeck time to throw. Defensively, they held Pittsburgh in check against the run & pass. What do you mean he lost it...he out prepared Cower big time.
Yes, there were clock errors and bringing Stevens into the mix was necessary....he just dropped osme balls. Holmgren did an excellent job of coaching to get them ready for this. They were 4 pt uncderdogs for crying out loud.