I made my case for a Steelers victory over the Cardinals in my annual Super Bowl prediction post, but I always enjoy reading the opinions about the big game.
Post 'em if you got 'em.
Toledo Talk Super Bowl Predictions
Comments ... #
The main impression I get about the game is that the Cardinals have tons of momentum and they are the underdogs who no one expected to get this far, so they are very dangerous.
Cardinals' offense vs. Steelers' defense could be a standoff, which might make the matchup of the Steelers' offense vs. the Cardinals' defense the key factor.
It all comes down to momentum vs. experience. The beginning of the game is going to be extremely important. Neither team wants to fall very far behind. The Cardinals don't, because they are inexperienced and if things start going wrong there could be a snowball effect. The Steelers don't, because they are not built to play catch-up.
The Steelers need to keep the game low scoring. They are not built for high scoring like the Cardinals are, although Pittsburgh does have plenty of clutch players with experience who have stepped up before in big games. The Steelers have to hold the ball and run the clock to keep Warner off of the field. If Roethlisberger does not play at least as well as Warner does, look out- it could get ugly.
As always turnovers will be huge. Of course Polamalu and the rest of the Steelers' D are always lurking ready to turn any mistake into a TD. If Warner is not sharp early and the Cardinals fall behind, the less experienced Cardinals could panic and get in trouble.
The Steelers have to worry about Fitzgerald, which could allow Boldin and/or Breaston to have a big game. Edgerrin James has proved he still has a little left in the tank. If the Cardinals are able to at least credibly threaten to run the ball it makes the Steelers D's job that much harder.
Overall I just have a feeling that even though they are probably not a "better" team than the Steelers, the Cardinals are peaking at just the right time. I am not confident that the Steelers offense can get into a shootout and hang with the Cardinals. It just seems like the stars are aligned for Arizona (never thought I would see that in my lifetime).
Oh, and Obama picked the Steelers. The kiss of death!
Hands down CARDINALS!!
posted by justsimplyholly on Jan 30, 2009 at 06:08:13 pm #
Steelers!!!!
posted by hunkytownsausage on Jan 30, 2009 at 06:09:51 pm #
Steelers 271 - 3
posted by thetoledowire_com on Jan 30, 2009 at 06:20:18 pm #
The Detroit Lions, led by quarterback Charlie Batch and backed up by Sean McHugh, Fernando Bryant and Travis Kirschke won Superbowl XLIII by a score of... oh wait, these guys used to play for the Lions. Crap... I guess Pittsburgh wins. But I think it will be close.
As a born and raised Pittsburgher, I'll go with the Steelers. They'll grind them down with their defense until the Cardinals are just plain worn out.
Steelers 28 Cardinals 14
Cardinals, I love rooting for the underdog.
posted by lfrost2125 on Jan 30, 2009 at 10:04:06 pm #
Ditka, 222-7
posted by hunkytownsausage on Jan 31, 2009 at 01:28:19 am #
Cardinals will come with a big throwing game, and then take it away, "thinking it will SURPRISE" the Steelers by using their running game. Wrong!....now don't get it wrong.....I am a die hard of hating the Steelers, but the Cards need to stick to what got them here....high powered, high explosion, over-the-top offensive schemes, and not try to trick anyone. I got this one being close, but the Cards have some 4th quarter heroics and upset the 3-time losers, 27-24!
The Cardinals will score early, lead at the half by 10, and lose by 7.
Wow, exciting game! I missed most of the first half, up until the 100-yard touchdown run on the interception in the last minute.
Nice to see some "locals" have great games -- besides Big Ben, I'll best most of you caught that former Wolverines and Buckeyes were all over the field making plays, too.
(WE MISS YOU STEVE BREASTON! ... sigh ...)
Congrats to the Stealers. Another tainted Super Bowl win thanks to dubious penalties and non-calls.
At least we got to see Matt Millen one more time!
"Nice to see some "locals" have great games -- besides Big Ben, I'll best most of you caught that former Wolverines and Buckeyes were all over the field making plays, too"
Oh hell yes, Michigan's Breaston great game, Buckeye's Holmes MVP and probable game saving ball strip for fumble Michigan's Woodley!
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