I haven’t followed football as closely this season as I have in years past. Still, I was as floored as anyone when the Arizona Cardinals dumped the Falcons, Panthers, and Eagles on their way to the Super Bowl XLIII.
Everyone is touting the Cardinals as a sad-sack organization that won’t stand a chance against the vaulted Pittsburgh Steelers.
I don’t see it.
They have a starting quarterback who’s won the big game already and has plenty of weapons to throw too. Their defense had no problem stopping the best teams in the NFC. Yes, the Steelers have QB that's played in the big game but Roethlisberger's play hasn't been consistent. Watch for Arizona will find a way to stop them when they really need to.
The Steelers are a good team – don’t get me wrong. It’s just that the Cardinals have the intangible factors of momentum and underdog spirit that’s going to carry them past the Steelers and a victory in their very first Super Bowl appearance.
Look for the Cardinals to jump out to a large and early lead. The Steelers will rally in the second half and close the gap to a touchdown in the last five minutes of the fourth quarter but, unfortunately for them, Roethlisberger won’t be able to tie it before the clock runs out.
Final score: Arizona 31 Pittsburg 24