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Neophyte · 01-30-09, 04:14 PM

Alrighty football fans. Just a bit over 48 hours till the big throwdown in Tampa (can't believe I am calling anything involving the Cardinals the "big throwdown") and it is time to get your bragging rights in (or provide material for great jokes at your expense Monday morning).

Pick'em and tell us why.

I went with the Steelers. I just can't see anyone but Fitzgerald making a living on the defense and while he has been great this post season I can't see him doing it by himself on Sunday. I also figure that sooner or later picking against the Cards will pay off.

Boone · 01-30-09, 05:22 PM

I think this is one of the more difficult to call games in awhile. Logically, Pittsburgh has to be the favorite. But Arizona is on an incredible roll, and I just have the feeling that no matter how much pressure the Steelers apply, Warner is going to find a way to have a big day throwing.

Just a gut feeling.

It's hard to believe we're saying 'Cardinals' and 'Super Bowl' in the same sentence. For them to win it? Almost hard to fathom.

Om · 01-30-09, 06:10 PM

Stillers. Working on why, to hopefully post tonight.

Henry · 01-30-09, 08:04 PM

If the Cards win this game I'll eat my left shoe.

Boone · 01-30-09, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Henry

If the Cards win this game I'll eat my left shoe.

You must hate Jesus.

Bastard.

Pravda · 01-30-09, 09:36 PM

Can't see the Cardinals winning. But I've been wrong at least as much as I'm right...

Om · 01-30-09, 10:39 PM

There. Had to get on record.

http://www.theomfield.com/2009/01/su...rediction.html

Quote:

Had something come up this week that kept me from writing the piece I'd hoped. Can't let this game go unpredicted, however, so here's a quickie, down and dirty.

The Cardinals surprised me twice--they won't do it again. With Kurt Warner playing at his current level they have a passing game that has shown it can beat anyone. His ability to make quick reads and unload accurately under pressure is the perfect antidote to a Steeler pass rush capable of turning less accomplished passers into pudding. If Anquan Boldin is right and can keep Pittsburgh from loading up on Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona could find enough seams in the Steeler defense to stay with Pittsburgh.

The Cardinals defense is still a question mark for me. Ben Roethlisberger isn't likely to miss as many open receivers as Donovan McNabb did two weeks ago. And if the Steelers are able to convert enough early third downs to extend drives, and start to beat on the Cards a bit, I can see the Pittsburgh physicality wearing them down.

Still ... the Cardinals fooled me twice. They won't fool me again. If they aren't blinded by the Super Bowl lights, come out early playing like they believe they belong there and can keep the game within a possession or two into the third quarter, with the way Warner has been playing I would not be surprised to see them walk away the most unlikely NFL champion since ... well ... you tell me.

I just don't think it's going to happen.

You may have heard this one before, but ... defense wins championships. You know how I feel about Pittsburgh defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau. Quite simply I think he's the best in the game. And he's had two long weeks to dissect the Cardinals offense. I don't expect him to "stop" the high-flying Cardinal offense, but I do expect him to slow it down. And more importantly, I expect him to force it into a couple of mistakes.

Don't be too surprised, though, if as it sometimes happens the matchup that does not get all the headlines proves to be the difference in the game. Come Monday we may all find ourselves talking not about the great Steeler defense (which they are) and soaring Cardinal offense (which they ... might), but about Pittsburgh's Big Ben Roethlisberger becoming a two-time Super Bowl winner, and first-time Super Bowl MVP, in the first five years of a suddenly Cantonesque-looking career.

Yeah, I went there.

As far as who I'm "rooting for" ... strangely, as much as I love a good underdog story, I find myself waffling this year. Maybe it's a function of getting older, but part of me wants to see the team I feel deserves the title win it rather than one that, frankly, I'm not sure I feel has earned its way to the top of the mountain just yet. Not a big fan of perennial afterthoughts crashing the King's Table on the strength of 9-7 seasons that, most years, earns you a road wildcard trip to the number one seed.

Good news, I guess, is either way I'll be able to feel good for the winner. Two interesting teams, some great story lines and two very distinct styles. Should be fun.

Pittsburgh Steelers 27
Arizona Cardinals 17

Symbol · 01-31-09, 01:51 AM

Kept thinking and thinking of the reasons, but the only reason I could come up with, other than a gut feeling is the old football proverb that I lived while playing and coaching the game of football: Offense wins games, but Defense wins championships.

I still think the Cards will give the Steelers a few fits at the beginning of the game and make it a high scoring first half before the Steelers defense tightens up and stops Fitzgerald and Boldin. Their offense goes no huddle where Big Ben is one of the top 5 QB's in the league at. The final score in my opinion will be something like, Steelers 32, Cardinals 27.

servumtuum · 02-01-09, 12:08 AM

My emotions lie with the Cardinals-my intellect tells me Pittsburgh.
Feelings are not facts.

Steelers.

Boone · 02-01-09, 10:04 AM

And here I stand, all alone with my emotions.

It's such a familiar feeling

Big Ben throws 2 picks and fumbles once. Cards make him pay.

Fear the beak.

Neophyte · 02-01-09, 12:20 PM

At the end of the day you may have sole bragging rights on the board, Boone. I would not be totally surprised if it happened either, even if I do think the Steelers will win.

My pick is less about Ben and more about LeBeau. I just think he is going to make Warner's game 60 minutes of hell and I don't think Haley will be able to find an answer.

Been wrong before though and lately these games have had a way of going weird.

Sasparilla Gretsch · 02-01-09, 02:05 PM

I'm gonna climb out on that limb with you, Boone.

And simply because, Why the hell not?

The Steelers were a sixth seed three years ago when they got hot and won it all.

The Giants were a fifth seed and beat the team that almost everyone in the world was ready to name as the Greatest Team Ever.

Okay, the Cardinals are suspect. I get that. Their defense is a huge question mark. They can look stellar for a half and then give up three touchdowns in eight minutes. They are a young football team. The Steelers have been there before, etc. etc.

But damn it, sometimes the little guy pulls off something big. And why not tonight?

And, because, well, eff the Steelers.

Om · 02-01-09, 02:35 PM

It's funny, the closer the game gets, the more I think in the end I'll end up rooting for Arizona to win (purity be damned) ... but at least so far, I'm not any more convinced they can.

servumtuum · 02-01-09, 10:43 PM

Boy, I sure hate it when the game turns into a yawner, don't you?

Henry · 02-01-09, 10:53 PM

Heh. And order is restored to the football universe. Great game.

And as a bonus to us Dallas haters now some other team has won more Superbowls. Yeah. I hate them that much.

The refs were way too involved in this game.

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