Super Bowl XLIII
The game we have been waiting for is just a few days away. Will the Steelers win their record-setting sixth Lombardi Trophy or will the Cardinals hoist their first? Let The CT tell you who will win and why.
Who Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Arizona Cardinals
Where Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.
The game we have been waiting for is just a few days away. Will the Steelers win their record-setting sixth Lombardi Trophy or will the Cardinals hoist their first? Let The CT tell you who will win and why.
Who Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Arizona Cardinals
Where Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.
When Sunday, Feb. 1 at 6:27 p.m.
Line Steelers by 7
Analysis This game will be defense versus offense. The Steelers had the top defense in the NFL during the regular season. The Cardinals had the fourth-ranked offense. More specifically, the Steelers had the top-ranked secondary while the Cardinals had the second-best passing attack.
Cardinals’ quarterback Kurt Warner will be facing a blitz-happy attack similar to the one he faced in the NFL Championship Game against the Eagles. The Steelers defense will have to make sure they can get to Warner before he can get rid of the ball.
The Cardinals have the best wide receiver duo in the NFL in Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. Cardinals running backs Edgerrin James and Tim Hightower need to rush the ball effectively to keep the Steelers’ defense honest. If Steelers linebackers James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley can put heat on Warner, it will make it easier for the Steelers secondary to contain Fitzgerald and Boldin.
On the other side of the ball, Steelers’ quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will have to make sure he takes care of the ball. The Cardinals defense has forced 12 turnovers in the playoffs. The Cardinals defense needs to continue to force turnovers to get the ball back to their high-powered offense.
Their defense also needs to keep Roethlisberger in the pocket. When Roethlisberger gets out of the pocket, he is very dangerous because he is so big and can break tackles because of his size.
Steelers running back Willie Parker will help alleviate pressure on Roethlisberger if he can run the ball like he did in the Divisional Playoff Game against the Chargers (146 yards, two touchdowns).
Outcome In the end, the Steelers defense is just too tough. The Cardinals offense will keep them in the game because Warner and Fitzgerald will make some plays. But the Steelers defense, led by safety Troy Polamalu, will shut down the Cardinals in the fourth quarter to preserve the win.
Score Steelers win 27-21, but Cardinals cover the spread.