THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: A lot of spice to these playoffs

Can the Seahawks win the Super Bowl?

Sure.

The NFL has created a “Land of Parity,” where maybe a dozen teams are seriously aiming for the league title when play kicks off each summer.

Hell, it might be MORE than a dozen.

In a 32-team league with season-changing drafts and free agency for all, pretty much anyone can punch you in the mouth.

Remember:

About five minutes ago, the Rams had Seattle by the throat and seemed like a lock to wind up as NFC West champ — not to mention a conference No.1 seed when the postseason gets rocking.

Then.

Rashid Shaheed came from nowhere in the third quarter, cruising 58 yards for a touchdown on a punt return.

That shouldn’t have ruined the Rams, who still had a 30-22 lead against a Seahawk team determined to give the ball away.

So, what was the problem?

Hah.

It’s the NFL, and sometimes you just can’t turn off the faucet.

Seattle won that thriller with a two-point conversion in overtime, and a few days later the Rams got turned over by nine-loss Atlanta.

Suddenly, the Rams are gargling sea water, but here’s the best part: They STILL could find a way to the Super Bowl

I HAVE a theory.

It’s a way to find the winners of most playoff games, but especially the conference title games.

Best of all, though, it can give you the Super Bowl champion.

Most of the time.

Remember, this is still the NFL with its mysterious methods to keep parity in play.

Themselves.

Generally, you’re better off matching teams with a lot of the normal formula.

You know, a team that’s 31st in coughing up turnovers isn’t likely to be a Super Bowl participant because …

Oh, wait!

The Seahawks own that godawful statistic, and we still think Mike Macdonald’s warriors could turn up with a game to play on Feb. 8.

The Hawks, matter of fact, fit right into my playoff/Super Bowl theory.

See, I’m convinced that by the end of the regular season, the dozen or so teams who might win a playoff game fall in two categories.

First, there are the obvious bruisers.

These are the teams that will be favored in every round because, well, they’re really good.

In the other corner, we have a group of teams who have something different going for them.

It can be almost anything.

The very first Super Bowl featured a team from each column.

Green Bay was the NFL champ and the best team in football, matched against the mystery Chiefs from the American Football League.

The big boys dished out a 35-10 thank-you note.

But.

Two years later, the still-no-respect AFL entrant (Joe Namath and his Jets) laughed at being a 14-point underdog, sunned themselves on the beach in Miami, then polished off the mighty Colts.

I’M NOT exactly sure what to call these teams in Column B.

They have all sorts of magic going for them, but some of it makes no sense at all.

For instance, the Seahawks have won 13 games in just three seasons — 2005, 2013, now in 2025.

Each of those years, Seattle went to the Super Bowl.

Also, the Catholic Church elected a new Pope: Benedict XVI in ’05, Francis in ’13 and Leo VIX this year.

For no particular reason, I’ve decided to call this mish-mash of postseason underdogs: “teams with a special sauce.”

Colonel Sanders never revealed his famous “11 herbs and spices,” and now, the NFL is going to keep silent about teams with a special sauce.

I promise, if you scroll down a list of playoff teams — and especially Super Bowl teams, you’ll find matchups involving one straightforward powerhouse and a gang that has some special sauce.

How about 2019, Tom Brady wins his last Super Bowl with New England and Pats' bore the Rams to death, 13-3.

Tears and confetti.

With Brady gone, the new king emerges in 2020: Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs beat the 49ers, 31-20.

Whoops, it’s 2021, and Brady isn’t going out quietly, signing with the Bucs and winning SB over Mahomes, 31-9.

Look at the list.

It’s worth the fun.

There are enough “special sauce” teams to entertain you.

I promise.

Email: [email protected]

Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns appear in The Press three times each week, normally Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday unless, you know, stuff happens.

Steve suggests you take his opinions in the spirit of a Jimmy Buffett song: “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On."