Super Bowl XLIII Prediction
With less than 5 hours until kickoff, I've waited long enough to make my official Super Bowl XLIII prediction. Of course, I would be much more accurate if I waited another 9 hours.
With the exception of the wildcard round, the Arizona Cardinals have surprised me throughout the post-season.
The Cardinals (6-2 at home, 3-5 away) were much more successful at home in 2008. And the Falcons (7-1 at home, 4-4 away) and Michael Turner (14 of his 17 TDs came at home) had much less success on the road this year.
But who didn't write the Cardinals off in the divisional round against the Panthers?
Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald has been unconscious in the post-season. In 3 playoff games, he has 23 receptions for 419 yards and 5 TDs.
This post-season, fellow WR Anquan Boldin has been quiet (at least, on the field). In 2 playoff games, he has 6 receptions for 106 yards and 1 TD.
Perhaps it's a consequence of the sideline confrontration with OC Todd Haley, but I wouldn't be surprised if Boldin has a monster game tonight as the Steelers' defense focuses on Fitzgerald.
The Cards, who have the best WR corps in the NFL, trailed only the Saints in passing ypg this season. Fitzgerald, Boldin and Steve Breaston all had 1,000+ receiving yards.
But with nerves and pressure high, how does the bye week affect the timing of the Cardinals offense?
The Steelers, who have the league's top-rated defense, should be less affected by the time off. In the Steelers' 18 games (16 regular-season, 2 post-season), the Steelers gave up 30+ points only once. And that one game (week 16 against the Titans) included a pick six that the Steelers offense allowed.
The Steelers lost all 3 of the games in which Ben Roethlisberger threw multiple interceptions. Their other loss was the game that the Eagles sacked Big Ben 8 times.
The Cardinals ranked roughly in the middle of the league in total defense (19th), interceptions (tied for 17th) and sacks (tied for 14th), but they ranked near the bottom in scoring defense (28th).
As long as Big Ben plays within himself (i.e., manages the game), I can't pick against the Steelers defense.
Final score: Pittsburgh Steelers 27, Arizona Cardinals 21
With the exception of the wildcard round, the Arizona Cardinals have surprised me throughout the post-season.
The Cardinals (6-2 at home, 3-5 away) were much more successful at home in 2008. And the Falcons (7-1 at home, 4-4 away) and Michael Turner (14 of his 17 TDs came at home) had much less success on the road this year.
But who didn't write the Cardinals off in the divisional round against the Panthers?
Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald has been unconscious in the post-season. In 3 playoff games, he has 23 receptions for 419 yards and 5 TDs.
This post-season, fellow WR Anquan Boldin has been quiet (at least, on the field). In 2 playoff games, he has 6 receptions for 106 yards and 1 TD.
Perhaps it's a consequence of the sideline confrontration with OC Todd Haley, but I wouldn't be surprised if Boldin has a monster game tonight as the Steelers' defense focuses on Fitzgerald.
The Cards, who have the best WR corps in the NFL, trailed only the Saints in passing ypg this season. Fitzgerald, Boldin and Steve Breaston all had 1,000+ receiving yards.
But with nerves and pressure high, how does the bye week affect the timing of the Cardinals offense?
The Steelers, who have the league's top-rated defense, should be less affected by the time off. In the Steelers' 18 games (16 regular-season, 2 post-season), the Steelers gave up 30+ points only once. And that one game (week 16 against the Titans) included a pick six that the Steelers offense allowed.
The Steelers lost all 3 of the games in which Ben Roethlisberger threw multiple interceptions. Their other loss was the game that the Eagles sacked Big Ben 8 times.
The Cardinals ranked roughly in the middle of the league in total defense (19th), interceptions (tied for 17th) and sacks (tied for 14th), but they ranked near the bottom in scoring defense (28th).
As long as Big Ben plays within himself (i.e., manages the game), I can't pick against the Steelers defense.
Final score: Pittsburgh Steelers 27, Arizona Cardinals 21
