Out of the 32 teams in the National Football League, only the Seattle Seahawks and the Pittsburgh Steelers have made it all the way to this year’s Super Bowl XL in Detroit. They didn’t make it there due to a stellar cheerleading squad or a special batch of Gatorade. They’re bound for the Motor City because of their strengths on the football field—the Seahawk’s bruising offensive line, league MVP Shaun Alexander and team leader Matt Hasselbeck, the Steelers’ surprisingly poised Ben Roethlisberger, relentless run attack and speedy defense.

Likewise, all of the Super Bowl parties at local bars around Monterey County have their own particular strengths. Some excel at giving away free stuff, while others seek to make patrons feel like they are truly in the stadium with linebacker-sized televisions.

BAJA CANTINA (7166 Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel Valley, 625-2252) is the place to go for people who want to compete for something themselves. In addition to a special menu and the Coors Light girls, Baja will have a field goal competition where customers can win $150.

KNUCKLES SPORTS BAR (1 Old Golf Course Rd., Monterey, 372-1234) will feature the only local appearance of the Raiderettes. While the ladies sign calendars, there will be a buffet for $16.95 offering nachos, chili, hot dogs, burgers and wings, and a DJ will play music before and after the game.

SLY MCFLY’S (700 Cannery Row, Monterey, 649-8050) will keep the fun going after the big game with live music by The Stingrays. While the game plays out on a 72-inch TV, there will be food and drink specials.

Across the street, BLUE FIN BILLIARDS (685 Cannery Row, Monterey, 375-7000) will play the Super Bowl on 16 TVs, including two big screens, while allowing customers to receive 20 percent off all menu items.

Right up on Lighthouse Avenue, OCEAN THUNDER (214 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey, 643-9169) will have the game up on a big screen and will feed hungry football fans free hoagies and home-made chili.

Also on Lighthouse, the BULLDOG PUB (611 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey, 658-0686) will raffle off prizes like t-shirts and give away a halftime meal of spaghetti and meatballs.

If not missing a single tick of the game clock is your thing, head over to the first annual Super Bowl party at the MONTEREY BAY RACE PLACE (2004 Fairgrounds Rd., Monterey, 372-5863,) where the Super Bowl will be broadcast on a mind blowing 50 big screen TVs. Also, to kick the party into gear, there will be free appetizers and prize giveaways every hour.

A block away, Eddie Edwards will be throwing a Super Bowl shindig at EDDIE’S (2200 North Fremont St., Monterey, 375-6116) featuring free finger food and a huge 100-inch projection screen.

Downtown Monterey will have numerous Super Bowl parties, including one at the BRITANNIA ARMS (444 Alvarado St., Monterey, 655-9543) boasting free hot dogs at halftime and a football pool to win a free trip to Vegas or a dinner a week at Britannia Arms for one full year.

Up Alvarado Street, the MUCKY DUCK (479 Alvarado St., Monterey, 655-3031) will offer free appetizers including nachos and chicken wings along with $2 Budweiser products at halftime.

Also in Monterey, CHARACTERS SPORTS BAR (350 Calle Principal, Monterey, 647-4023) will have specials on Super Bowl influenced beverages like a martini called a Steelers’ Bomb and a chicken fajita buffet for $7.95.

Meanwhile, the PENNY FARTHING (9 E. San Luis, Salinas, 424-5652) will feed patrons with free hot dogs and beans and sell beer and well drinks at happy hour prices.