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Super Bowl XLIII Pregame - Arizona Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Jeff Pasquino
- Start date
Ghost Rider
Footballguy
My guess for the early line:
Pitt - 7 1/2
O/U - 45
Pitt - 7 1/2
O/U - 45
timschochet
Footballguy
This is going to be a very very difficult game. For all those who automatically assume the Steelers are a better team, don't forget that the Cardinals played 12 quarters of playoff football and completely dominated 10 of those quarters. Also, Whisenhunt knows the Steelers and beat them last year.
I think it's reasonable to favor the Steelers, but I hope there's not a lot of people talking about blowouts.
Go Pittsburgh!
I think it's reasonable to favor the Steelers, but I hope there's not a lot of people talking about blowouts.
Go Pittsburgh!
Jeff Pasquino
Footballguy
itt - 6.5O/U - 43.5
timschochet
Footballguy
What was with Boldin yelling at his OC at the end of the game? Will it have any carryover to the SB?
Ted Lange as your Bartender
Footballguy
The arguably most successful franchise of the Super Bowl era against the arguably least successful franchise of the Super Bowl era. Love the Whisenhunt vs Tomlin angle too. Looking forward to it!
The Cardinals look like they are a terrible matchup for the Steelers. I am sure Pittsburgh will plan for the Cardinals offense but they will have to absolutely shut them down to win this. The Cardinals defense has been looking stout these last couple of weeks and will be able to handle the Steelers offense. As long as Warner doesnt throw pick six's, I think the Cardinals dominate the game but the score will be close.
bicycle_seat_sniffer
Smells like chicken
Just like superbolw XL. the entire crowd will be steeler fans. Whenever I went anywhere in detroit for those 2 weeks yo uwould have thought you were in pittsburgh.
I think Pitt wins, but Wisenhut might have a huge advantage. Kind of like gruden vs. oakland awhile ago.
Pitt 27 Arz 21
I think Pitt wins, but Wisenhut might have a huge advantage. Kind of like gruden vs. oakland awhile ago.
Pitt 27 Arz 21
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
I think Pittsburgh is the more complete team and has a much better defense. They're also battle-tested - the Cards, while hot, were a 9-7 team and beat a few decent, but not great teams, on their way to this game. I believe the Ravens are the 2nd best team in football, and the Steelers are 14-4 against a much tougher schedule. I just believe they're a better team, and although Fitz and Boldin will get theirs, the Steelers can make them one dimensional and can get to Warner. Close game that turns on some big plays by the Pittsburgh D late.
Pittsburgh 31 Arizona 17
Pittsburgh 31 Arizona 17
HellToupee
Footballguy
Fitz scares me
Routilla
Footballguy
I'm sure the Champagne was an adequate sedative for both. Boldin probably just wanted to be more involved. In 2 weeks he can be.
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
I sure hope Hines is 100% in 2 weeks.
HellToupee
Footballguy
I hope Hines is ok
HellToupee
Footballguy
fasteddie_21
2006 NM Poker Champ
I'm thinking it opens at Pitt -7.5 or 8 and I'm all over Az. I really think this is a bad matchup for the Steelers. Should be quite entertaining though.
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
They really are a different offense without him.
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
It's already live at Pit -7 (-105) at some books and Pit -6.5 (-110) at a couple others.
Routilla
Footballguy
I think a lot of folks thought the same about the Eagles defense today. PIT and PHI both want to blitz and put pressure on the QB. AZ has the weapons to counter that though, as PHI found out today. It is always interesting to see contrasting styles collide on the field. It might come down to coaching which is also interesting with Whisenhunt vs Tomlin.
fasteddie_21
2006 NM Poker Champ
Pinny has it opening @ Pitt -6.5 (47).
That 1/2 point is too big to not see if it moves toward Az. Can't wait for the game!
That 1/2 point is too big to not see if it moves toward Az. Can't wait for the game!
HellToupee
Footballguy
can't see Edge going 16-73 like today
Routilla
Footballguy
I doubt very many saw it for today either? But there it was, just enough rushing to give Warner some nice plays down the field.
S.K.A.
Trout Bum
I can see Hightower getting that. I can also see Boldin's stat line looking a lot better than today.
timschochet
Footballguy
The Eagles have a very good defense, but it's different from the Steelers, who run a 3-4, as opposed to the Eagles 4-3. Pittsburgh has better linebackers than Philly does, and hopefully this will make the difference.
HellToupee
Footballguy
Cards runningbacks getting 10yds today was huge
Ghost Rider
Footballguy
Most of the best WRs in the NFL this season were in the NFC, so the Steelers defense really hasn't had to face an offense with WRs like the Cardinals have. Should be an intriguing matchup. How much the Cardinals are able to run the ball is obviously integral, as the Cardinals cannot drop back and throw on every down; not with the pass rush the Steelers have.
Too early to make a prediction. The Steelers are obviously better on paper, but so was every team the Cardinals beat in the playoffs thus far. Both teams are battle-tested, so that is a wash.
Too early to make a prediction. The Steelers are obviously better on paper, but so was every team the Cardinals beat in the playoffs thus far. Both teams are battle-tested, so that is a wash.
bicycle_seat_sniffer
Smells like chicken
For the Cards to win I think they need more Edge. the dude looks fresh and ready to go. Whut needs to keep him on the field. guy is money in blitz pick ups tooHard to run on Pitt
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
A good point, but they did shut Moss and Welker down pretty well. Ditto Plaxico Burress and Terrell Owens. Reggie Wayne had a good game against them, but if you saw it, you know that 2 VERY fortuitous bounces comprised the bulk of his production in that game.
Ghost Rider
Footballguy
Nice post, Captain Obvious.
HellToupee
Footballguy
I agree ,if the Cards run for 100 they'll win
Football Jones
Footballguy
If Boldin is indeed healthy for the Super Bowl (& it's pretty clear he wasn't 100% today), then I'm confident Arizona will win the game (maybe rather handily). If Boldin is much like he was today, I still favor the Cards, but it could come down to the nitty-gritty.
I'm probably one of the few people who believe Arizona is the better team on paper. In short, I think the Cards match up well & will present significant problems on both sides of the ball (especially offense).
I'm probably one of the few people who believe Arizona is the better team on paper. In short, I think the Cards match up well & will present significant problems on both sides of the ball (especially offense).
belljr
Footballguy
great minds think alike 
If the Steelers can get Warner happy feet they win easily, if they can protect him it's going to be a TOUGH TOUGH ball game.Don't underestimate the Cards D either, they have been playing outstanding.
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
No matter how well they've been playing, it'll like carrying a 30 pound barbell after lugging a 50 pound one around today. It'll feel much lighter. It's the offense that worries me. They're going to play 7 in the box all day with Polamalu and Clark (I hope) back double covering Fitzgerald and/or Boldin. If the front 7 can bottle up Hightower/Edge without safety help, the Cards will be in trouble.
Routilla
Footballguy
It's hard to double Fitz on crossing patterns without leaving somebody else wide open. The blitz pick up will be the key as it was today for Philly.No matter how well they've been playing, it'll like carrying a 30 pound barbell after lugging a 50 pound one around today. It'll feel much lighter. It's the offense that worries me. They're going to play 7 in the box all day with Polamalu and Clark (I hope) back double covering Fitzgerald and/or Boldin. If the front 7 can bottle up Hightower/Edge without safety help, the Cards will be in trouble.If the Steelers can get Warner happy feet they win easily, if they can protect him it's going to be a TOUGH TOUGH ball game.Don't underestimate the Cards D either, they have been playing outstanding.
great minds think alike
HellToupee
Footballguy
I'd rather a Eagles rematch
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
I don't think it will be a straight double, I think they're going to keep Polamalu deep rather an blitzing him/bring him up to the line to stop the run like they often do. I think he'll be sitting back looking to jump routes. The Cards will need to figure out how to neutralize him like the Steelers did Ed Reed today.It's hard to double Fitz on crossing patterns without leaving somebody else wide open. The blitz pick up will be the key as it was today for Philly.No matter how well they've been playing, it'll like carrying a 30 pound barbell after lugging a 50 pound one around today. It'll feel much lighter. It's the offense that worries me. They're going to play 7 in the box all day with Polamalu and Clark (I hope) back double covering Fitzgerald and/or Boldin. If the front 7 can bottle up Hightower/Edge without safety help, the Cards will be in trouble.If the Steelers can get Warner happy feet they win easily, if they can protect him it's going to be a TOUGH TOUGH ball game.Don't underestimate the Cards D either, they have been playing outstanding.
great minds think alike 
Routilla
Footballguy
Ed Reed had a hard time due to BAL's DB injuries. Did all of them get hurt or what? I would think that kept Reed playing a little further back to avoid the big play. Plus PIT always throws enough deep balls to keep the defense honest.
Ghost Rider
Footballguy
True, but Welker is no Boldin, Moss or Fitzgerald. If Boldin is healthy, he and Fitzgerald are a whole different beast to handle, and Matt Cassel is obviously no Kurt Warner. And neither Owens nor Burress had a number 2 WR the caliber of Boldin. I think Fitz and Boldin will get theirs, but how well Pittsburgh does at preventing them from breaking the big play and how well they contain their other key offensive players will obviously be the keys, I think.
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TwinTurbo
Footballguy
As discussed in some other threads, this Steelers D is among the great defenses in NFL history. It's not the best defense ever, but it's up there. So while I will be cheering for Warner and the Cards, it will be a monumental task for them to get past this defense. They are that good.
In order for the Cards to win, their Defense will need to continue to create turnovers. In the 4 games the Steelers lost, their offense had at least 3 turnovers (14 total). The 4 losses were to playoff teams (Eagles, Giants, Colts, Titans). And so far, the Cards have the most takeaways in the playoffs and best takeaway ratio at +9, while the Steelers have only given up one turnover. It should be a great game.
In order for the Cards to win, their Defense will need to continue to create turnovers. In the 4 games the Steelers lost, their offense had at least 3 turnovers (14 total). The 4 losses were to playoff teams (Eagles, Giants, Colts, Titans). And so far, the Cards have the most takeaways in the playoffs and best takeaway ratio at +9, while the Steelers have only given up one turnover. It should be a great game.
Ghost Rider
Footballguy
Like I said in another thread, in the Steelers four losses, Ben Roethlisberger has 3 TD and 10 INTs. In their 14 wins, he has 16 TDs and 5 INTs. In other words, if Roethlisberger plays well and takes care of the ball, this Steelers team is extremely difficult to beat.pantherclub
Footballguy
After watching Fitz go completely nuts vs the iggles then as a Panther fan I dont feel so bad now. Nobody can cover him including the Steelers. Take the Cards and the points and look for them to win straight up.
