Feb

1

Columnist Jeremy Fuchs’ Prediction for Super Bowl XLIII

Posted by Jeremy Fuchs under Arizona Cardinals, Picks, Pittsburgh Steelers, Super Bowl 


The Super Bowl always has a lot of intrigue, but Super Bowl XLIII has a lot for me. You’ve got the menacing defense of the Steelers, pitted up against the high-flying offense of the Cardinals. This game might
finally decide if defense truly wins championships.

The Steelers defense is pretty much unstoppable. James Harrison, Troy Polamalu, LaMarr Woodley, and other make up a defense that is one of the best I’ve ever seen. They’re fast and hard hitting, and almost
never seem to be out of position. On the other side, the Cardinals offense is pretty much unstoppable. Larry Fitzgerald might be the best receiver since Jerry Rice, and Kurt Warner is reliving his St.Louis days.

Add in a productive Edgerrin James, and Anquan Boldin, and you’ve got the makings of a top offense. However, can the Steelers stop them? Are there corners good enough? Will they have to keep Polamalu near Fitzgerald at all times, opening up the short passing game to Boldin and Steve Breaston? I’m not sure the Steelers can stop them. They might be able to limit their production, but they can’t stop them.

I also think Kurt Warner will be able to beat the blitz consistently, as he is one of the best in the game at doing that.

The Steelers offense, playing with a banged up Hines Ward, is solid. Nothing special. Willie Parker needs a big game. The Cardinals defense has been playing well. This is a pretty even matchup. The Cardinals have to blitz, blitz, and blitz some more, to keep Ben Rothlisberger under pressure–take the model of last year’s Giants. Blitz, and when you don’t get to him, hit him hard.

I think Big Ben is very banged up, more than he says he is, and a couple of hits won’t help. If Hines Ward can’t go, rookie Limas Sweed will have to step up. There is something to be said for momentum, and the Cardinals have it.

Then again, the Steelers have been playing well in all their playoff games. I’ve been wrestling with this for two weeks, but after a lot of thought, I have to go with the Steelers. Experience, and a superior defense will lead them there. Final Score: Steelers 21, Cardinals 20.

Enjoy the Super Bowl everyone.


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