The envelope please…

SCOTT JACOBS

We know what you’re thinking out there– can they just play the damn game already?  We’ve had almost two weeks to break down every bit and piece of Super Bowl XLIII and I have to admit that I am sick of it already.  Just get on the field, play the national anthem, and let’s get this party started.  Maybe I’m just bitter because I tried to get tickets for two weeks and failed horribly, because of all the scams that I ran into.  Or, maybe I’m like most fans, who are tired of all the pre-game hoopla surrounding what should be an exciting game.

The storylines are great, but how many times can you hear them?  It gets old after a while.  Great offense versus fabulous defense.  80% Steelers fans to 3% Cardinals fans (approximation given the people I’ve seen on TV wearing Cardinals red).  Cinderella versus Golliath.  Kurt Warner and his quick release versus that great Bitzburgh defense.  Larry Fitzgerald against, well everybody.  Even Arizona’s defense against Ben Roethlisberger has become a pretty intriguing matchup, because of how well the Cardinals defense has performed this post-season.

But quite frankly, I’m tired of the cries that this is why college football is lucky not to have a post-season (I don’t agree).  I’m sick of all the people that claim Arizona hasn’t played anyone close to Pittsburgh this post-season (Hello, Carolina was one of the Super Bowl favorites entering the playoffs).  I’m tired of the ‘us against the world thing.’  Arizona you can’t pull that one quite off anymore.  I’m especially tired of that stupid Anquan Boldin clip of him yelling at Todd Haley.  Could we dissect that moment any more?

Let’s just play already! 

The Cardinals offense is great- if their offensive line protects Warner.  Fitzgerald and Boldin are the best wide receiver duo in the NFL, and they are unstoppable when Warner has time to pick apart the defense.  Pittburgh is a great defensive team, with their strength in their blitz packages. But the game may come down to the fact that the Cardinals might have a better defense right now than Pittsburgh’s offense.

And stop with the whole superior conference thing!  Arizona beat some very good teams to get to where they are now.  If it was Carolia or the beloved New York Giants in this game, even the sixth seeded Eagles no one would bring this thig up.  This isn’t college folks.  There is no SEC, Big 12, or ACC in the NFL.

So here’s the pick: ARIZONA 28 PITTSBURGH 23

The Cardinals are destiny’s darlings, I’m convinced of that.  But more importantly, they’re playing phenomenol football.  Everyone gives Arizona crap for beating a rookie quarterback in Matt Ryan, but the Steelers got to the Super Bowl by beating a rookie quarterback, Joe Flacco. The Steelers beat one team that was 4-8 at one point (Arizona was never under .500 in 2008) and the Ravens suspect offense to get here.  The Cardinals have an explosive offense unlike anything the Steelers have seen this year.

Add in the fact that the game is in sunny Tampa, not snowy Pittsburgh and you create a situation that is incredibly appealing for the Cardinals.  No one has mentioned this, but the Steelers won both their playoff games in the snow, where weather totally played to their advantage.  I have a hunch that Tampa’s weather will be a big difference in this game.

Kurt Warner is no Flacco.  He is an experienced QB who has been here before.  So has Big Ben, but he was atrocious when the Steelers beat the Seahawks at Ford Field.  I think Clancy Pendergrast will have some interesting blitz packages set up for the Steelers.  If you’ve been watching the playoffs closely, you’ll know that Arizona boasts a ball hawking defense that likes to take chances.  Big Ben loves to take chances, and make some risky throws.  I see him getting picked off, not once, but twice.  Arizona has been very effective in shutting down the powerful running games of Atlanta, Carolina, and Philly and I think they will hold Willie Parker in check.

Arizona wins at home.  They were 6-2 in the regular season, and 2-0 in the playoffs.  They’re the home team in this one.  I’m just saying, I’m just saying.  And look out for Steve Breaston.  Sure all the attention has been on Fitz and Q this week, but don’t forget that Breaston, the former Michigan standout, had a 1000 yard season in 2008.  Expect Edgerrin James and Tim Hightower to be productive, not spectacular.  But here’s a bold prediction: Hightower will break a run for 30 yards or more.

But I think the biggest key will be that Arizona has nothing to lose.  They didn’t expect to be here, but the Steelers did.  They aren’t a mighty juggernaut from the regular season, they just sort of floated under the radar.  Sure, people are picking them now (about time), but I think Arizona still feels disrespected. There are still some people who think they’re a fluke, and that they don’t belong.  But come Sunday night, when Arizona comes flying out of the gate, no one will be saying that anymore.

The Rays got close, but couldn’t finish the job.  Arizona only needs to win one.  They will.  And after, they will be considered the worst Super Bowl champions ever.  Remember, you heard that here first.  I’m not saying I agree with it, but just wait for it.  Just wait.

Of course, worrying about their place in history will be for someone else to worry about, because the Cardinals will be too busy celebrating an improbable journey from frauds to Super Bowl champs.

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