vs. 
Another year for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the playoffs and this time they hit up the Super Bowl against the Arizona Cardinals. The Steelers, who were 12-4 in regular season play, and 2-0 in post-season play (after a week 1 bye) own up to the #1 defense in the NFL. The Cardinals, 9-7 in regular season play, and 3-0 in post-season play, post a very impressive offense, who have been on a hot-streak lately, led by Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald. Lets look closer at some stats.
The Cardinals overall have a better offense, statistics wise. The Steelers, however, have a better defense overall. Here’s an overview of the stats:
Larry Fitzgerald is quite possibly single-handedly responsible for most of the Cardinals offensive attack, posting 96 receptions for 1431 yards and 12 TD’s. Paired up with Kurt Warner at QB, who has completed 401 of 598 passes this season for 4583 yards and a 96.9 passer rating, the two form a deadly pair. In the game against the Eagles, Larry Fitzgerad caught 3 touchdown passes from Warner.
On the other side, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense is host to a number of offensive weapons, including Santonio Holmes, Heath Miller, Nate Washington, and Willie Parker. But Hines Ward is by far the most impressive receiver on the Steelers’ side, posting 81 receptions for 1043 yards and 7 TD’s. Throwing the ball to him is Big Ben Roethlisberger, who has completed 281 of 469 passes this season for 3301 yards and an 80.1 passer raiting.
The two offensive weapons of each team seem evenly matched enough, with a slight edge going to the Cardinals. However, what happens when we add in the running game? Edgerrin James of the Cardinals has run for 514 yards and 3 TD’s this season, and the Cardinals rushing offense is averaging the worst in the NFL. Willie Parker of the Steelers has run for 791 yards and 5 TD’s, and the Steelers rushing offense is the 10th-worst in the NFL. However, Willie Parker was injured early in the season, and backup Rashard Mendenhall was injured shortly thereafter. The weight of the rushing offense came down on the shoulders of Mewelde Moore, who was backed up by Gary Russel while Parker and Mendenhall were out. The Steelers haven’t really had much of a chance to fully develop their running game this season, but if Willie Parker runs against the Cardinals the way he ran all over the Chargers in week two of the playoffs, the Steelers should have no problem establishing a good running game.
So a key to the game for the Steelers? Establishing the run game. If the Steelers can establish the run game, they should have no problem luring in the defense and then airing it out to one of any number of great receivers.
Key to the game for the Cardinals? Get the ball to Fitzgerald. This won’t be easy, as the Steelers will likely double up on Fitzgerald with Cornerbacks Ike Taylor and Ryan Clark (assuming he isn’t injured from the hit he delivered to Willis McGahee).
My prediction for the game? The Cardinals will open up their offense late in the game, after making half-time adjustments to deal with the tough Steelers defense, but it will be too-little-too-late. The Steelers will play rock-solid offense after establishing a running game against a middle-of-the-road Cardinals defense and leave the rest up to the Steelers’ defense. Pittsburgh will bring a record 6th title back to the Steel City, and a first title for 2nd-year coach Mike Tomlin.
Score Prediction: 31 to 24 in favor of the Steelers.
Posted by crofty 
Posted by crofty 
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