| Andrew |
 | 10 Comments |  | 1354 Read | Jan 21, 2009 |
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Let me start out by saying this: this year's Super Bowl is a nightmare for me. As a Seahawks fan, I will always hate the Stealers ... yes, Stealers. And as for the Cardinals, it's next to impossible to root for a division rival. But in this case, I will be, because the Steelers are that evil in my eyes. (Note: Before I get inundated with "The calls in Super Bowl XL didn't matter becuase the Steelers made the big plays and the Seahawks didn't" comments, go back and do your research. The officials cost Seattle two touchdowns and handed another to the Steelers. That's a 21-point swing. So yes, the officials essentially decided the game. Don't agree? Read and get back to me: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reaction_to_officiating_in_Super_Bowl_XL)
But I'm not here to dwell on the past (really, I'm not). I find it very fitting that this wacky, kind of ridiculous, extremely frustrating NFL season comes down to a Super Bowl that I can confidently say not a single person in the world predicted at the beginning of the season. The beauty of the sport? Eh. I'm more inclined to say an aberration. Kind of like the 2002 season. You all remember that one right? The Bucs destroyed the Raiders in one of the worst Super Bowls ever. The Cleveland Browns earned a playoff spot, yet the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots missed the playoffs. Just a weird season where you had two random teams in the Super Bowl.
Now, as much as I despise the Steelers, I'm not going to sit here and argue that they aren't a premier franchise. They are, and the fact that they are one win away from their sixth Lombardi Trophy (should only be the fifth...) is impressive. Love them or hate them, Pittsburgh is an elite, consistent team.
Arizona is completely the opposite. This is a team that, year in and year out, you knew what you were getting: 5-7 wins after preseason predictions of a division title. Seriously, for the last four years people have been tabbing the Cardinals as their surprise team. I guess better late than never, but Arizona has traditionally been a joke. And I whole heartedly believe they will return to that state next year. Boldin will be gone, their star linebacker Dansby will price himself out of Arizona, Warner could retire, James will bolt, etc.
But for now the focus is on the game Feb. 1. My gut is pushing me toward the Cardinals. This is partly out of bias and partly out of an objective standpoint. Look, I understand that defense wins championships, and the Steelers have a solid defense. But at this point they have no one who can match up with Fitzgerald. No one. Their best bet would be to have Polamalu shadow Fitzgerald on every play, essentially double-teaming him. I doubt Dick Lebeau will employ that strategy though, as the Cardinals do still have Boldin, and a highly underrated slot receiver in Steve Breaston. Doubling Fitzgerald guarantees at least one of them will draw single coverage.
I see the Cardinals having no running game to speak of in this one. None. In fact, I look for them to challenge the record for fewest rushing yards by a team in a Super Bowl (the record, if you're curious, is seven, by the Patriots in 1986). But that shouldn't really surprise or concern Arizona at this point. The offensive line just needs to protect Warner, and let him play pitch and catch all day, which I believe they will do.
For the Steelers, it comes down to running and defense, as usual. They will need a decent game from Willie Parker, and he has proved he is a big-game back (he was one of the legitimate players that beat Seattle). I see Roethlisberger having an average to poor game. The Cardinals defense is better than they get credit for, and they will pressure him. The Steelers offensive line is very suspect in pass defense, so I'd put the Cardinals down for at least four sacks, and upwards of a dozen hits on Big Ben.
The wild card here is Hines Ward. I'm sure he will play, but just how effective he is will determine a lot. Santanio Holmes is improving, but isn't a consistent threat in the passing game yet. On special teams, that's a different story. If I were the Cardinals, I would punt out of bounds every single time. I would much rather sacrifice five or ten yards knowing Holmes would not have a chance to take a punt back for a score.
But the more I look at the matchups, I more I start to like to Arizona. I think they just match up well with Pittsburgh. So, with all of that, here's my prediction: 24-17 Cardinals, with the Steelers coming up short on a late drive. Warner nabs MVP honors and decides to retire ... setting in motion a delightful offseason in which the Seahawks reload (and heal) and the Cardinals lose pieces. Hey, I can at least hope right?
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Robert Corley: First off, I never said the Steelers would score 25 points against Arizona. I have been a huge advocate of just how good the Cards' defense is. I don't see Pittsburgh scoring more than two touchdowns, if that. Now, about the Cardinals' running game. I think you are sorely mistaken. You're going to sit here and tell me that James and Hightower are that much better than Rice and McGahee (or McClain, or whoever else Baltimore lined up this season)? Or that they are better than Darren Sproles? Backup or not, that kid can play. And more importantly, you're going to argue that the Cardinals' offense line is better than both San Diego's and Baltimore's? I don't see it. Of Arizona's 10 offensive touchdowns in the playoffs this year, eight have come via Warner's arm. And yes they are averaging 111 rushing yards per game in the postseason, but that number is grossly inflated because they ran the ball 43 times against Carolina. If Jake Delhomme doesn't have arguably the worst playoff performance of all-time, the Cards don't have the ball for nearly 40 minutes of that game. As for Leinart, I'll believe that when I see it. As a Seahawks fan I am rooting so hard for Warner to retire, so Leinart can come in. He's at least going to be more up-and-down than Warner.
You are using San Diego as a reference against the run? They had thier back ups in the whole game. IF LT was playing it would have a been a different story. And the Ravens I say Ray Rice more in that game than Willis. So the Steelers have had a cake walk to the super bowl. The Cards have beat everyone that were not suppose to. The Panthers had a 10 point edge on the Cards and they won by twenty. The cards stopped the Number 1 and 2 Rushing offenses in the playoffs and the Steelers are going to be able to score 25 on the Cards, I dont think so. the Cards are averaging 31 points a game. the Cards will win the super bowl and Warner will walk away like Elway did. But this franchise has a great QB in the wings. No one is giving Leinart a chance, i will bet he will prove everyone wrong.
On man. Say it with me. Casey Hampton. The man is huge. No one runs past him.
bigred48yrs: I have watched all of the Cardinals' playoff games. And you are right. Their running game and defense have been markedly improved. However, they haven't seen anything like the Steelers' defense. Chew on some of these numbers: Pittsburgh allowed only 15 yards on 12 carries against San Diego in the Divisional Round. Against Baltimore, the Steelers surrendered 73 yards on the ground on 25 carries. So cumulative in the playoffs, Pittsburgh has given up 88 yards on 37 yards, good for a 2.37 yards per carry average. I would be VERY surprised if the Cardinals had much success on the ground in this game. But I guess stranger things have happened.
In AZ, we love that everybody only started watching with the Eagles game and quit watching after New England. You probably should have tuned in for some of the playoff action, though. The Cardinal defense and running game they bring to the Super Bowl will not have much in common with what you saw during the end of the regular season when they were coasting with their playoff berth already all but a certainty.
LOL and LMFAO?? really? are we in 7th grade?
Thanks guys, as always, for the comments. I always appreciate feedback.
Mike and Justin: Let me be clear here: I know how good and dominant the Steelers' defense is. I readily admit it is one of, if not the best in the league. I don't believe I undersold that in this post, as I directly said the Steelers' win will hinge on their defense. I also don't think you guys realize how ridiculous Larry Fitzgerald is. Take this into account: The Steelers haven't faced a receiver of his caliber since Nov. 30 (Randy Moss), so of course their pass defense has looked extra dominant. The Steelers' last loss? To the Titans in Week 16, in which they were smoked by Justin Gage. So, if Gage was able to do damage, you're going to sit here and tell me that between Warner, Fitzgerald, Boldin and Breaston, this team can't get at least three touchdowns? Give me a break. Of course they can. I also said the Steelers will dominate on run defense. Hell, I even suggested the Cardinals will challenge the all-time record for FEWEST rushing yards in a Super Bowl. Guys, let me be clear, I don't like Pittsburgh, but I respect them and understand who they are. They win with defense, plain and simple. I just don't see that happening this time around.
tsenator: First of all, the Wikipedia article references dozens of actual articles and columns written on Super Bowl XL, so rather than post any or all of them, I went with the Wikipedia (which also speaks volumes in and of itself, because what other Super Bowl actually has anything solely devoted to its controversial calls?). Also, if you don't like my writing style, that's fine. I respect that and respect your opinion to tell me that. However, I'm not trying to be objective here. I am a sports writer by trade and have spent the last few years covering games, events, teams, coaches, etc. in the objective, professional manner I am supposed to. This blog, however, is not that. It is a BLOG, where I can post my thoughts, beliefs, or, in this case, my RANT. In fact, when I click to write a new post, I click a button titled "Create Rant." So please, instead of calling my blog post a "trash article," just simply post something constructive like Mike and Justin.
Andrew Um......to say that you are not giving the Steelers defense credit would be an understatement. I think your grudge may be blinding how good the Steelers are.
LOL. Refering to wikipedia in articles that are basically written by people like you....LOL
Loss of credibilty Strike 1
"But I'm not here to dwell on the past (really, I'm not)."
LMFAO... Dude, You just DID! That WHOLE first paragraph was you dwelling in the past and then you continue ad naseum
Loss of credibilty Strike 2
After that I didn't even spend another minute reading this trash article
I think you don't understand the Steelers defense if you think they are going to defend Fitz that way. This defense is so good because they will mix it up. They are able to create presure with four or five guys, they raerly blitz, but this four or five are always different guys, they will some times do zones, or cover two, or single coverege, some times Ike will get Fitz, but some other times it will be Mc, Troy will free lance all over, they are fast and Physical but must of all they just do too many different things. This is why Peyton, Eli, Macnab, Cassell, Rivers, Flacco, Romo had such a hard time against them. (And I know Peyton and Eli beat the steelers, but they had bad days against this defense, in fact Peyton had two tip balls that when for huge gains, and Ben had a bunch of Int and fumbles)
Any way I know you hate tha Steelers but this defense is one of the best I have ever seen, trust me with out turn overs from the offence or help from special teams there is no way they put 24 points. I just don't see a one dimentional offense have four long drives againts this defense. Two maybe. 14 or 10 points plus special team or turn overs.
So with all that, here is my prediction: The Steelers don't make mistakes they will win 24-10. Ben plays another bad superbowl and has two Int, Casrdinals win 24-17.
And I am a Indianapolis Fan.
