SB XLIII - Could Arizona Actually Win it All? - jmik58's Blog

jmik58's Blog

SB XLIII - Could Arizona Actually Win it All?

Posted on January 19, 2009 at 09:53 AM.

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What a day of games yesterday! I'm more excited for the Super Bowl than I have been for a few years. Parody is one thing that sports always thrives on and football never disappoints. How about those Cardinals?!

I would love to see the Cardinals win. Like everyone in Iowa, I'm a big fan of local boy Kurt Warner, but there's a lot more to like about this team. They are starting to get their running game going, Whisenhunt puts a fun offense out there with a couple trick plays a game, their defense has come alive and has shut down some of the better running teams in the league, oh ya and that Fitzgerald guy is the most complete wide receiver I think I've seen play in my lifetime (sorry Jerry Rice).

On the other hand, Pittsburgh puts a "D" out there like no other. I would have been concerned with either Baltimore or Pittsburgh against the Cardinals because of the defense. But, the Steelers are basically the Ravens with an actual offense.

I've always felt that a superior defense will win a championship over a high powered offense around 75% of the time.

The Steelers have a superior defense. While the Cardinals "D" is playing better, will the team be satisfied by just being there?

Offensively, Pittsburgh moves the ball enough to score in little chunks but showed it's big play potential against a tough defense in Baltimore. The Cardinals "O" is impressive, but I don't know if it's dominant enough to overcome the Steelers "D".

Steelers showed they can score on the best defenses in the league -- with big plays at that.

Cardinals have to play even better defensively and maintain offensive execution to win. I fear they may have peaked against the Eagles, which calls for a near-perfect performance to come home with the trophy.

Also, Arizona MUST find a way to give their left tackle, Mike Gandy, some help with the pass rush. Philly's pass rush on Warner's blind side was unstoppable at times. Gandy looked like he was standing still -- oblivious to the snap of the ball; getting out of his stance only enough to give pass rushers a nice tap on the shoulder with lookout block after lookout block.

I really want the Cardinals to win, but realistically I think the Steelers may come away with this one.