The NFL's biggest game is almost here. Super Bowl 43 live from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida with the Pittsburgh Steelers going up against the surprising underdogs, the Arizona Cardinals.
The Steelers finished 12-4, winning the AFC North and getting through the playoffs with wins over San Diego and Baltimore during their playoff run. Led by head coach Mike Tomlin, the Steelers have been dominant throughout the year behind the play of their top ranked defense. With stalwarts Troy Polamalu, Larry Foote and James Harrison along with Lamar Woodley this defense has been lights out in 2008 behind the 3-4 scheme of coordinator Dick Lebeau. The offense, led by QB Ben Roethlisberger, RB Willie Parker, WR's Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes and TE Heath Miller have held their own and have been able to make plays to win the close games. Which is why they are here in Tampa, lookingto make history and take home a 6th Lombardi Trophy to the Steel City.
The Arizona Cardinals, once perrenial doormats of the league have accomplished a lot this season no matter what happens on Sunday. They have won their division for the first time since 1975 (when they were in St. Louis) and they have won three playoff games against three quality teams that they were viewed to lose to. Led by head coach Ken Wisenhunt, this team has came a long way over the past two seasons as they finally have the stalibity and quality leadership needed from a head coach. The one thing that stands out about this team is the offense, led by resurrected QB Kurt Warner, WR's Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston who all have had 1,000 yard seasons, this team knows how to score in bunches. But the bigger surprise has been their defense this season. Led by S Adrian Wilson and DE's Bertrand Berry, Darnell Dockett, LB Karlos Dansby along with the play of their CB's Rod Brown and Dominique Rogers-Cromartie this is a defense that has gotten better and better in the playoffs as they shut down the best rushing attacks in the league and stopped one of the league's best playmakers. The Cards are on fire and they are determined to prove that they are one of the league's best as they seek to bring back their first NFL title since 1947 when they were in Chicago.
Here are the keys for each team needed to win on Super Sunday:
1. Running the football. This is going to be a crucial step for each team as they look to wear each other down and control the line of scrimmage.
2. Winning the turnover battle. Whomever can avoid committing turnovers will win this game.
3. 3rd down conversions. Simply put, move the chains and keep the clock ticking.
4. Pressure the QB's into mistakes. Distract and deploy the defenses into making each QB make the bad throws.
5. Field position. Whomever has the shorter field will have the advantage in getting points on the board.
6. Limit the big plays. The defense that limits the big plays has the better opportunities to win.
Analysis: For the Steeler's, especially Ben Roethlisberger are hungry to win their sixth title and make history and the terrible towels will be swinging in full force. The cardinals are playing with a loose, underdog mentality and they have rode the wave all the way here. Conventional wisdom says the Steeler's will take the Lombardi Trophy home to the Steel City but since I like the underdog, I look for the Cardinals to take the Lombardi Trophy back to the Grand Canyon State.
Arizona 35 Pittsbirgh 28


Tatiana Golovin
Daniella Sarahyba



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