Going hunting…bird hunting
It is the eve of the Super Bowl and the clock is winding down before kickoff. The player’s nerves are running wild and emotions are running on high.
On one side you have the ridiculously good Steeler’s defense against Arizona’s high powered air attack. Match ups could be the key to the game. Who will win? Who will be the MVP? Here are the keys to the game.
Play calling and match ups will be the key to winning the game on both sides of the ball. I’ll break them down for you.
The first key match up on defense for the Steelers is Ike Taylor vs. Larry Fitzgerald. Taylor must contain Fitzgerald for the Steelers to win. If Taylor can keep Fitzgerald in front of him then he can be contained. Fitzgerald hurts defenses by going over the top. There is no doubt in my mind that Taylor will have help over the top by Ryan Clark, but Clark is also crucial in run support. If Taylor holds Fitzgerald under 100 yards or out of the end zone the Steelers have a good chance of winning.
The second key match up is Kurt Warner vs. James Farrior. James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley get the press but Farrior is still the best linebacker on that team. If Farrior comes out of the game the captain of the defense is gone. All the plays go in through Farrior. Farrior spends a lot of time spying the QB so Warner needs to watch him. Farrior needs to spy and cut off Warner’s short throwing lanes.
Now the match ups for Arizona’s defense. Antrel Rolle vs. Hines Ward. Rolle must prevent the short passes and yards after the catch from Ward. Ward may not be at full health but must be respected. Pittsburgh has proven they have other options outside of Ward but he is still the primary target on third down. Third downs will be very key in this game.
Next is Ben Roethlisberger vs. Adrian Wilson. Wilson is Arizona’s version of Pittsburgh’s Troy Polamalu. Wilson can be a free runner at times and sack the QB. Roethlisberger needs to recognize where Wilson is in the defensive set to make the correct audible. The same can be said about Warner recognizing Polamalu. Wilson can also make plays in the defense and become a big hitter over the top. Arizona doesn’t have the big names Pittsburgh does on defense but still has very good play makers.
Overall keys to the game for the Cardinals is forcing Roethlisberger to make turnovers. Arizona needs to bring pressure and force Roethlisberger to make quick decisions. He is very good out of the pocket but isn’t the fastest guy, he can be caught. Arizona needs to sack the QB and force turnovers. Pittsburgh’s D cannot let Fitzgerald beat them. They will surely double cover him most plays forcing Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston to step up. Pittsburgh also needs to force turnovers. Warner has been prone to turnovers in his career and Pittsburgh needs to make it happen. Pressuring Warner will make him act quickly and throw bad passes. The team with the fewest turnovers will probably win.
Ken Whisenhunt needs to plan again Dick LeBeau’s zone blitzes. Pittsburgh loves to confuse the offense. Kurt Warner needs to switch up long snap counts will quick ones to make Pittsburgh show their sets and running lanes. Arizona’s offensive line also needs to use zone blocking instead of man to man blocking. Trying to block the Steelers in man blocking is like trying to get Scott Boras to give a home town discount, it ain’t a happening.
In the end I think Pittsburgh’s defense will be able to hold Arizona under 24 points. Unfortunately Pittsburgh has played a death row of teams and could put the game away quickly on offense. Pittsburgh scored 35 points on a solid Charger’s defense, they can score on Arizona’s. This game could also come down to whoever has the ball last. In a close game both Roethlisberger and Warner are extremely clutch. The game will either be very tight or put away early.
Steelers 27 Arizona 17
Roethlisberger named MVP
~Ben
Hardball 
Ben – I”M ROOTING FOR THE STEELERS! And I agree with you analysis; if the Steelers can’t contain Larry Fitzgerald then they are in trouble. I know where I’ll be tomorrow afternoon! And I don’t watch for the commericals!
Julia
http://werbiefitz.mlblogs.com/
It’ll be Steelers 34- Card’s 24. I like the Steelers but I want the Cards to win so I can say My Patriots beat the champs by 40!
Bob- http://bostonsports.mlblogs.com/
I think you’re probably right. I’ve got Steelers 24 Cardinals 14 Polamalu MVP. Even though I hate those northern ********.
I don’t know about the Chargers being solid. They seemed to play better down the stretch, buy they were pretty terrible down most of the year. I wonder what Andre Johnson thinks about Larry Fitzgerald getting all this pub as the best WR in football. Sure, Fitz is great. But he does have a steady arm throwing to him, a great WR on the other side so that D’s cannot solely focus on him, and another capable WR too. Johnson isn’t getting a chance to shine because he was on a team that wasn’t quite as good, although decent, a QB that cannot stay healthy and isn’t as good as Warner, and no real offensive threat to have the opposing D concentrate on. A lot of variables 🙂
http://statisticianmagician.mlblogs.com/
I have to agree that about Andre Johnson. He is by far the most underrated wide receiver if not over all player in the NFL. The Texans haven’t put anyone around him and he still puts up great numbers. Houston needs to draft a QB or another wide receiver in the first round. Johnson needs some help.
It was such a great game! You were right, it came down to the end. I wondered if Arizona would be able to pull it off, but the Steelers were really good.
http://kaybee.mlblogs.com
I don’t understand this game.It seems too rude for me. Better I do Writing help sitting in front of my computer.