by Kenneth Hofmann

Created on: January 27, 2009   Last Updated: February 20, 2009

The Pittsburgh Steelers are the right pick to win Super Bowl XLIII. The Pittsburgh Steelers have quietly had one of the best defensive years ever in the NFL. Understand the Arizona Cardinals are on an impressive run in the playoffs, however the new "Steel Curtain" can put a stamp on their historical year with a win over Kurt Warner and the Cardinals.

Yes, the Arizona Cardinals have an impressive offense and the defense is playing the best team defense all year but, Ben Roethlisberger will make less mistakes than Kurt Warner. Kurt Warner had an MVP like season but the one thing that has haunted this quarterback over the years in inability to avoid fumbles from high pressure defense. The Steelers have an extremely high pressure defense that can attack you in numerous ways. If the Cardinals can protect Warner then this maybe a game, but if the Steelers defense dominates the offensive line of the Cardinals then this game could get ugly early.

The scariest thing about the Cardinals is that they are playing up to the competition and are playing with a chip on their shoulder much like how the New York Giants had to do last year. They are led by a very good coach in Ken Whisenhunt and just like the Cardinals, the New York Giants just last year, were unlikely favorites going into their Conference Championship game at Green Bay last year. Then claiming the role again, in mammoth proportions against the undefeated New England Patriots. The Cardinals have embraced the under dog role and they will do it again in Super Bowl XLIII.

As a counterpoint, the Pittsburgh Steelers are the most complete team that has played all year long. Their was no sophomore slump for Steeler coach Mike Tomlin as he had an even more impressive record than the prior year. Many have said that this team is still a product of the Bill Cowher regime which is fair to say, but this team has little flaws and the coach deserves credit not trying to do too much when he knows the tradition of the Steelers always rely on hard fearful defense and a running game that can control the momentum of any game. Some coaches like to change things when they come in and give Tomlin cfredit at least, not trying to dictate a new style the Steelers were unaccustomed. The Steeler defense will be one of the best ever as long as they complete the job.

This game will be close, the Cardinals should start out the gate quick as they will need to, to try to break up a Pittsburgh game plan that relies on quality field position and quick three and outs, on the defense. The Cardinals should be able to muster points in the first half, with the threat of Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin, although as the game rolls the Steelers will make the necessary adjustments as they have all year long. In typical Steeler fashion this year, they may be down come fourth quarter. However, no team in football this year has had more great fourth quarter come backs than the Steelers have this year, especially in huge games, that once more will prevail and the Pittsburgh Steelers will defeat the Arizona Cardinals 24 to 20.

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