by John Asgeirson

Created on: January 26, 2009

The Pittsburgh Steelers are a solid 7 point favorite to win this year Super Bowl. If you believe the odds makers lay the points, but get ready to send your money to your bookie. The game is going to be much closer than the experts think.

The Arizona Cardinals by way of Chicago and St. Louis have not been in an NFL championship game for 61 years. The owner of the team has a reputation of being cheap and the record of the Cardinals does not match up to history of the Steelers in the Super Bowl.

The Cardinals follow in the wake of last years upset by the New York Giants. In fact a review of 7 point favorites in the Super Bowl they are 1-4-1 against the spread.

The Steelers defense is one of the strongest in the NFL. The team's linebackers and secondary meet the standards set by the Steel Curtains of the past and Big Ben has won the big one before in 2006.

The Cardinals have some weapons of their own this year. Curt Warner, was the QB of the Rams and the leader of the fastest team on turf when he played for the St. Louis Rams has receivers in Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin that promise to give the Steelers a work out. The running game of the Cardinals is also solid with Edgerinn James.

The conventional wisdom is that the Cardinals are playing above their heads and should just be happy to be in Tampa. The Steelers on the other hand had a better record during the regular season against competition that was much stronger than the competition the Cardinals beat in their division. The Steelers are a really good team but they may have some offensive shortcomings this year. They could certainly use Bradshaw, Harris, Swan and Stallworth. The Steelers will go as far as their defense takes them on Sunday.

The Cardinals have been unappreciated underdogs during the regular season and playoffs. It's been clear that the Cardinals have a chip on their should and really want to prove not only that they belong in the Super Bowl but that they have a realistic chance to win the game.

The Cardinals have every intangible pushing them towards a possible victory this year.

Coach Ken Whisenhunt is the former offensive coordinator for the Steelers and was passed over for the job when Bill Cowher retired. The guy has big game experience, first hand knowledge of the Steelers, and wants to prove his former employers made a big mistake two years ago.

Kurt Warner and the Cardinal receivers have been unstoppable in the playoffs and may prove to be the difference this year. Warner has improved this year by limiting interceptions and fumbles which often make the difference in football's biggest game. He has also been a leader in the clubhouse keeping the rest of the team loose and happy. He has already experienced it at coming from arena football and being a stock clerk before leading the St. Louis Rams to a Super Bowl victory. Winning this Sunday would make him a lock for the Hall of Fame in Canton and the movie rights to tell his story would rival anything in sports movie making. Move over Jerry Maquire.

Larry Fitzgerald has had three spectacular seasons as a Cardinal. He has made the most of the playoffs this year by catching three touchdown passes in the Cardinals victory against the Eagles in the NFC championship game this year. A performance anywhere close to that will seal the victory for the Cardinals. If the Steelers are able to stop Fitzgerald (which is doubtful) the Cardinals can go to Anquan Boldin who is another deep threat or run the ball with Edgerinn James who has as much to prove as any of the unheralded Cardinals.

My prediction is Cardinals 24 Steelers 21. Win or lose it should be at least as good as last years game.

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