Gridiron Experts Super Bowl Pick

Gridiron Experts Super Bowl Pick

If someone told you back in September that the Super Bowl would have Pittsburgh and Arizona facing off against each other, you would have laughed. While no one is laughing now, it’s still hard to believe that Big Ben and a shaky offensive line that allowed 49 sacks (4th worst in the NFL) was able to unite for the playoffs. Arizona was blown out on more than one occasion and was the underdog in all 3 playoff games. But both teams stepped it up and proved that they deserve to be in the 43rd Super Bowl, whether through the lethal passing game of the Cardinals or the hard hitting Steelers defense. So who’s going to win this game?

Category	Edge	Reason
Quarterback	ARZ	Both QB’s have a won a Super Bowl, but Warner can read defenses and make almost every throw
Running game	PIT	ARZ doesn’t run the ball as much, but even if they did the edge would go to the Willie Parker and the Steelers
Receivers	ARZ	Larry Fitzgerald can still make plays in double coverage and is nearly impossible to shut down. Ward’s injury will slow him
Offensive Line	Draw	The Steelers weak link seems to be patched up. The Cardinals are solid but Warner doesn’t have all day
Defensive Line	Draw	The Steelers use a 3-4 but can easily cause chaos. The Cardinals D-line is underrated and due for a big game
Line Backers	PIT	The strength of the Steelers, with guys like Farrior, Harrison and Woodley, means ARZ RB’s and WR’s need to be prepared to get hit on every play
Cornerbacks	ARZ	Big play ability on both sides, but Zona gets the edge with rookie D. Rod-Cromartie who seems to get better every game
Safeties	PIT	Troy Polamalu, enough said
Kickers	Draw	Kickers are Kickers, Reed may have a small edge
Coaching	PIT	This was almost a draw, but the edge is Dick LeBeau and his years of experience.

Gridiron Experts is predicting a close game that comes down to the wire. The Steelers don’t want to get into a shoot out, but they might have to against the Cardinals, a lot like how the Eagles were caught off guard in the NFC Championship. The game will revolve around whether the Steelers offense can keep up; defenses win championships, but you can’t wait around all day with the Cardinals.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS 27-24

Straight up- PIT / ATS- Arizona / Over Under- Over

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