Jan 26 2009
Steelers versus Cardinals- Super Bowl XLIII
There is only one game left in this NFL season, but it is the game that is most important. Super Bowl XLIII will be played on February 1st in Tampa Bay, Florida, between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Arizona Cardinals. Something will have to give when the shut-down defense of the Steelers meets the explosive offense of the Cardinals.
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ success this season can be defined with one word, consistency. The Steelers had the toughest schedule of any team in the NFL, and they still finished with an impressive 12-4 victory. After two tough payoff wins over the San Diego Chargers and Baltimore Ravens, they are now just a win away from capturing their sixth Super Bowl victory in franchise history. No other team has ever won six Super Bowls, and a victory in Super Bowl XLIII would put the Steelers in a league of their own.
Very few people thought that it would be the Arizona Cardinals representing the NFC in the Super Bowl, after finishing the regular season with a record of 9-7. The Cardinals caught fire in the playoffs and defeated the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, and Philadelphia Eagles. Now, the Cardinals find themselves one win away from their first Lombardi Trophy in franchise history.
The Steelers’ defense will face a tough task when they take on the Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII. The Arizona Cardinals have a very dangerous passing game, led by veteran quarterback Kurt Warner. The best way to disrupt the Cardinals’ offense would be to pressure Warner and force hurried throws. Expect the Steelers to blitz off the edges to try and keep Warner off-balanced. The most explosive weapon Kurt Warner has at his disposal is wide receiver, Larry Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald has played tremendous in the playoffs with 419 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns. Containing Fitzgerald will be crucial, if the Steelers hope to be called Super Bowl champions at the end of the night.
By Michael C. Smith
