Spring Break
Super Bowl XLIII offers intriguing match-ups
Sean Labar
Issue date: 1/29/09 Section: Sports
In a country that thrives on professional sports and the thrill of cooking wings, crowding around a hi-def television and cracking beers with the "boys," comes the ultimate game, The Super Bowl. A game that has defined American culture since its debut in 1967 when the Green Bay Packers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 35-10, this year's contest is just a bit different from those in the past.
The Arizona Cardinals are making their first debut in the big game while the Pittsburgh Steelers are a franchise known for playing in February, proudly bearing five rings since 1975.
This will be the biggest factor and will ultimately decide the outcome of the game. The Cardinals' offense is structured around the passing game and the accuracy of veteran quarterback Kurt Warner. If Warner can stay cool in the pocket and find receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin down the field, then the Cardinals should stand a fair chance. Fitzgerald is arguably the best wide out in the league today and no matter the defensive package the Steelers decide to bring, he will find space and most likely the end zone. The run game for Arizona has struggled all year and I doubt it will be any different come Sunday. Edgerrin James has led the league in postseason rushing yards, so if he can magically keep that going then Arizona could have a more diverse playbook giving them more depth as an offense.
Dick Lebeau, the Steelers' defensive coordinator, has developed a core group of men that opposing players simply fear. James Harrison holds down the defensive line and has earned the NFL Defensive MVP honors for a reason. The beast has 16 sacks on the season and is a menace to opposing quarterbacks. The Steelers are sending three defensive stars to the Pro Bowl--including Harrison--accompanied by safety Troy Polamalu and linebacker James Farrior. Farrior and Harrison will lead the run block while Polamalu should be deep in coverage in order to prevent Fitzgerald from making the big play. The famous gridiron saying was always, "defense wins championships." We will see on Sunday.
The Arizona Cardinals are making their first debut in the big game while the Pittsburgh Steelers are a franchise known for playing in February, proudly bearing five rings since 1975.
This will be the biggest factor and will ultimately decide the outcome of the game. The Cardinals' offense is structured around the passing game and the accuracy of veteran quarterback Kurt Warner. If Warner can stay cool in the pocket and find receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin down the field, then the Cardinals should stand a fair chance. Fitzgerald is arguably the best wide out in the league today and no matter the defensive package the Steelers decide to bring, he will find space and most likely the end zone. The run game for Arizona has struggled all year and I doubt it will be any different come Sunday. Edgerrin James has led the league in postseason rushing yards, so if he can magically keep that going then Arizona could have a more diverse playbook giving them more depth as an offense.
Dick Lebeau, the Steelers' defensive coordinator, has developed a core group of men that opposing players simply fear. James Harrison holds down the defensive line and has earned the NFL Defensive MVP honors for a reason. The beast has 16 sacks on the season and is a menace to opposing quarterbacks. The Steelers are sending three defensive stars to the Pro Bowl--including Harrison--accompanied by safety Troy Polamalu and linebacker James Farrior. Farrior and Harrison will lead the run block while Polamalu should be deep in coverage in order to prevent Fitzgerald from making the big play. The famous gridiron saying was always, "defense wins championships." We will see on Sunday.
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