You Can Be a Hero or a Zero this Super Bowl

Lost in the media's infatuation with Jerome Bettis' being from Detroit, there's a couple guys that could become Super Bowl heroes or the next Scott Norwood.

If you miss the game winning field goal in the Super Bowl, it doesn't mean you're a bad kicker. It's just that everyone will remember it forever.

Josh Brown and Jeff Reed aren't the first two names you'll recognize right away when it comes to big game kickers. But if quarterbacks dream of running the 2 min drill and leading his team for the win, kickers dream of making that game winning field goal in the Super Bowl. Four of the 39 Super Bowls have come down to a last-play field goal. The four are New England's Adam Vinatieri (48-yard game-winner in Super Bowl XXXVI; 41-yard game-winner in Super Bowl XXXVIII) and Baltimore's Jim O'Brien (32-yard game-winner in Super Bowl V) and of course Scott Norwood's miss in Super Bowl XXV

Let's get to know your kickers…

Jeff Reed, in his 4th season, went to UNC-Chapel Hill

Josh Brown, in his 3rd season, went to the University of Nebraska

Edge: Tie. UNC has Michael Jordan. Nebraska has Tommy Lee from Motley Crew for a semester.

Jeff Reed hit 82.8 percent of his field goal tries (24 of 29) this season, including 18 of 18 from inside 39 yards. He is 6 of 9 from 40-49 yards (including one that was blocked) and 0 of 2 from beyond 50 yards (including one that was blocked).

Seattle kicker Josh Brown is 72 percent (18-25 FG) and has made four short field goals during the postseason, missing on his only attempt of more than 40 yards when his 49- yard try against the Panthers was short. Brown is 5-of-8 on kicks of 50 yards or greater this season, but connected on just three of his final seven field goal tries during the regular season.

Edge: Reed is more accurate closer but Brown does have a strong foot from 50 yards or out. Don't think a game winning FG will be over 50 yards so the edge will go to Reed.

Reed is 2 of 2 on game-winning field goal tries this season, with a 40-yarder at San Diego and a 37-yarder against Baltimore

Brown had two game-winning field goals in 2005, a 50-yarder to beat the Cowboys on Oct. 23rd and a 36- yarder to down the Giants in overtime four weeks later. But also missed a potential game-winner against the Redskins on Oct. 2nd.

Edge: Jeff Reed. The Seahawks lost that game in OT when Brown missed his field goal.

In his past two postseasons, Reed is 7 of 7 on field goals and 16 of 16 on extra points.

In his past two postseason, Brown is 4 of 4 on field goals and 5 of 5 on extra points

Edge: No game winning field goals but getting the points when they needed them. Tie

In domed stadiums -- such as Detroit's Ford Field -- Reed is 3 for 4, with the lone miss coming in the Nov. 28 loss at Indianapolis. He has been perfect since.

Josh Brown is 3 for 3 in domed stadiums.

Edge: Maybe that same gust of wind in the RCA dome that blew Mike Vanderjadt's FG attempt way right might have blown Reed's. Slight edge to Josh Brown because he hasn't missed.

In this Super Bowl, the kicking edge leans towards Jeff Reed. If the Steelers get him under 40 yards he's been automatic all season. But nothing comes automatically when you're kicking in the Super Bowl.

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