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I say Steelers win and cover. While they've eked out games all year long, I think they're the better team, top-to-bottom. Fitzgerald is great and Warner is good too, but teams win Super Bowls, not individual players.

I think the Steelers will take it, but as an NFC guy, I'll be rooting for the Cardinals (who I think will cover the spread)

34-20 Int Blitzburgh's favor

Cardinals because an Australian is the kicker.

The team who last played the cardinals also had an Australian kicker. Both are from Australian Rules Football.

I predict calorie consumption on a grand scale followed by a lingering disappointment
in the event itself.

I say Cardinals over the Steelers, final score of 24-17.

I'm still getting over the shock of the Cardinals actually getting there myself.

I think fate will betray them though and a team who've been there before and done it, will know what to expect and win.

So I'm thinking Steelers, probably close though 24-21 something like that.

I do think it'd be great if Arizona did win though, after all this time.


Oh and on a side note, hope Denver can sort themselves out for next season, we where so hit and miss all year.

Steelers, and they cover the spread!

Cardinals, big. Kurt Warner's got Jesus on his side.

Troy Polamalu also has Jesus on his side. It will be interesting to see who Jesus prefers.

On a more serious note, I think that the Steelers D will hold the Cardinals O to under 14 points, but, I also think that the Cardinals D will have a much easier time against the Steelers O, which has looked a bit lackluster in recent games, while the Cardinals D looks pretty solid throughout the playoffs, with something like +11 turnovers in the three games they played.

So, I think that's where the real game will be. Whichever defense can produce the most points will win this one - and that's not saying the better defense, because while it's obvious that Pittsburgh has the better D, I wouldn't be surprised if Big Ben turns it over more than Kurt. Last Steelers Superbowl he coughed it up twice, and didn't exactly protect the ball well in the playoffs either.

I only watch for the commercials and lame halftime show.

Redbeard wrote:Troy Polamalu also has Jesus on his side. It will be interesting to see who Jesus prefers.

On a more serious note, I think that the Steelers D will hold the Cardinals O to under 14 points, but, I also think that the Cardinals D will have a much easier time against the Steelers O, which has looked a bit lackluster in recent games, while the Cardinals D looks pretty solid throughout the playoffs, with something like +11 turnovers in the three games they played.

So, I think that's where the real game will be. Whichever defense can produce the most points will win this one - and that's not saying the better defense, because while it's obvious that Pittsburgh has the better D, I wouldn't be surprised if Big Ben turns it over more than Kurt. Last Steelers Superbowl he coughed it up twice, and didn't exactly protect the ball well in the playoffs either.

Troy polamalu, while having Jesus, the same as Kurt Warner... also has the added benefit of Power Hair... and so will cause the total annihilation of the Cardinals.. they will be in awe of his flowing mane of teleporting hair (seriously, he doesnt run around the field.. he telports to the ball... with no scatter...seriously)

on a more "serious" note, i think the Steelers experience will win the game for them.

I predict one of the teams will win, and there will be quite a few of those touchdown thingies that are called 'Try's' in proper Rugby.

I'm still waiting to wake up from this crazy dream were the cardinals made it to the super bowl.

Here's another question how many people are going to watch it from there FLGS.

I think if it comes down to a clash of the Defences as Redbeard says, then Pittsburgh will win - they're just more solid overall.

I think psychology could play a bigger part though, especially for the Offences. Both O's know the onus is on them to get points on the board. Pittsburgh so they can get the record of 6x Superbowl wins, Arizona as they've never done it before. With this in mind I think Kurt Warner's greater experience could give the Arizona O the edge, especially if Pittsburgh get some early points and get complacent.



It'll be a tight game and I'm really looking forward to it, but I have to give my prediction as:

Pittsburgh 23 - 20 Arizona.

P.S. 'Stealers against Cardinals?

Now I'm not expert, and I certainly don't know the AV of the girly armour they insist on wearing, but comparing the Statlines of a Stealer to a Cardinal, this is hardly a fair fight. I mean, the Cardinals don't even have Fleet, let alone Rending.

Ok, it took some googling, but I found a Cardinal for you. I'm pretty sure this guy kicks any of the steeler's asses...Except Cower's Jaw, but he's not gonna be there.

http://40kshowcase.blogspot.com/2008/05/cardinal-varrius-red-chaplain.html

Steelers win and cover.

I predict the Steelers go up in the first half. Cardinals close up the game on some big plays. Polamalu gets an INT to end Cardinals' chances. Pittsburgh's offense will make a few good drives, but also connect on some big plays. The lack of someone to move the chains in the second half will hurt them. I wouldn't be shocked if Gary Russell gets some second half carries to try to wear out the Cardinal defense.

I predict that the game MVP is Polamalu.

Hines Ward will play in the game, but won't have a big impact on the game. Pittsburgh will probably gamble that they can stop the run with their front seven (and I think they will, look for Hampton to have a huge impact on the game while compiling almost no stats), and have both safeties deep. Most likely, they'll use one safety to double Fitzgerald most of the time, and the other one to play centerfield.

I predict that the Steelers are back in the running for another Super Bowl next year, but that Arizona drops off like most Super Bowl losers.

warpcrafter wrote:I only watch for the commercials and lame halftime show.

Lame?

Sadly guys, the game has already been played!

http://www.theonion.com/content/news/super_bowl_xliii_spontaneously

I'm cribbing most of this analysis from various ESPN.com writers, so don't think I know anything about the game.

The Cardianals offense and Pittsburgh defense are both incredibly good. In situations like that (See last years superbowl), they sort of cancel out and the real competition is between the Pittsburgh offense and the Cardinals defense. Both are shakey, if not outright suspect units. Here's the real question: at gunpoint, which would you rather have your money on? The Steeler's O is unimpressive if not lackluster, while the Cardinals D has been huge in the playoffs. The problem has been all those turnovers. If Ben takes care of the ball and Pittsburgh doesn't do anything stupid, the Cardinals probably won't get the 4 turnovers a game they've been averaging. Tomlin is a much better coach and game manger than the coaches the Cards have been facing. Lets not forget this is going to be like an away game for the Cards, and the field will be fast and firm for the aggresive Pittsburgh defense.

I think the Cardinals have to win this in the first quarter. If they can put up two touchdowns early, and force Pittsburgh to play from behind, than they've got a chance. If they cough up any touchdowns on defense or special teams, then the Cards are going to be playing in a hole, and Pittsburgh can simply run out the clock.

Playing the odds, I'm going to go with Pittsburgh to win. the Cardinals need to play amazingly well and force Pittsburgh to make a mistake to win, while Pittsburgh doesn't need the Cardinals to screw up to win.

malfred wrote:I predict calorie consumption on a grand scale followed by a lingering disappointment
in the event itself.

This.

No matter who wins, we are all losers.

I think the Cardinals' secondary has played exceptionally well this post season. With Hinesward not at 100%, I don't know how dangerous the Steelers' passing game is. I'm more worried at a complete lack of pass rush from the cards.

Generally, a better defense beats better offense in these things.

If anything I'm hoping the cardinals win just because I like their story. They're the cardinals. They and the Bengals stand as testaments to all that can be mediocre in football, and all of a sudden they're in the superbowl. I know the odds are against them, but I hope they can pull it off.

Well, if it's the Onion, it must be right!

The article fails to mention that James Harrison was thrown out of the game for hitting Matt Leinart with a video camera in the first quarter (while Warner was still answering questions). Harrison's comment after the game was, "Hey, they had pads and helmets, and we didn't, I was just trying to even things up." Sadly for the Steelers, if Leinart, who was 2-10 with 2 INTs, had remained in the game after the brutal hit, Warner might have been left to continue answering questions (including, "How long have you been a Christian quarterback?"), and Pittsburgh might have won. Instead, Warner came into the game and went 36-37, 320 years, 3 TDs and no Ints.

It's unconfirmed, but Russ Grimm and Ken Whisenhunt mooned Dan Rooney after the game - allegedly.

Polonius wrote:I think the Cardinals have to win this in the first quarter. If they can put up two touchdowns early, and force Pittsburgh to play from behind, than they've got a chance. If they cough up any touchdowns on defense or special teams, then the Cards are going to be playing in a hole, and Pittsburgh can simply run out the clock.

I agree the Cards need a fast start. The Steelers' defense thrives with a lead. And while I don't think Super Bowl experience is a big factor in most aspects, I'd be worried that the Cards could mentally collapse if they get down early. They're the team that's more happy just to be there. And I'm biased, being a lifelong diehard Steelers fan, but I don't think the Steelers have fielded a team as mentally tough as this one since the '70s. They have amazing focus this year...almost Patriots-like. They aren't the trash-talking, emotional roller coaster team people have seen in the past.

Anyway, the catch is that the Steelers haven't been a fast-starting team this year. However, their offense has shown more signs of life than many realize. They were very close to blowing the Ravens game wide open...just barely missed on some easy TDs. And the Chargers couldn't even slow them down. If the Steelers get their running game going like they did against the Chargers, it could be a long night for the Cards. That's why I expect the Cards to gamble a lot on defense, trying to stuff up the run and put pressure on Roethlisberger. The pressure's then on #7 to make big plays to his open receivers.

Should be interesting if you like chess-match football.

Steelers by 10.

both teams suck, and green bay was the best foot ball team ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
we didnt need bret favre he was over rated. every other team was horrible compared to green bay.
just listen to bear fans by bananas at large

Wait, that's right. Green Bay's 6 wins this season did make them the best team in football. In fact, their season went so well that they got a bi all the way through the playoffs to next season. Maybe the NFL should institute an "and 1" system where Green Bay could play the winner of the Super Bowl on Feb. 8th. This way we could get some closure for the question the whole nation's been wondering, which is: "Why are the 6 and 10 Green Bay Packers not in the Super Bowl?"

I predict that LOTS of money will be spent on it, and yet our economy will still continue to decline.

warpcrafter wrote:I only watch for the commercials and lame halftime show.

Same, I can't wait for the 1 second commercials. Those are gonna be funny.

I guess I'm weird in that I couldn't give a rat's ass about the commercials. I want to see some damn football. It's gonna be tough to have a more exciting game than last years though.

Oh, and next year, my beloved Redskins will make it...