3 years, 3 months ago
What are (in a nutshell) the highlights from the Steelers'/Cardinals' season this year?
As someone who doesn't get a chance to watch a lot of NFL football, I'd like to get a condensed history of these two teams' seasons this year: major wins, losses, record over the past few seasons, new players, injuries, new offense/defensive strategies, etc. A general context for how they got here.
Any sports-minded writers who can break it down for the rest of us and put this matchup in context? As a side note, who, in the end, do you think has a better chance of winning and why?
Any sports-minded writers who can break it down for the rest of us and put this matchup in context? As a side note, who, in the end, do you think has a better chance of winning and why?
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M$1 Answer
The Cardinals are historically bad. Including this season they've made the playoffs 5 times in 60 years. This is their first Super Bowl appearance, they won the NFL Championship in 1947, before it was the Super Bowl. The Cardinals head coach, Ken Whisenhunt, took over the team last season and led them to an 8-8 record. This year, many considered Matt Leinart to be the starting quarterback, until he was badly outplayed by 2 time Super Bowl champ Kurt Warner. With Warner at the helm and elite wide receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin on offense, the Cardinals won the NFC West and had the NFL's 2nd most potent passing offense. Despite a hot start to the season however, the Cardinals lost their last three regular season games, including a 47-7 blowout to the New England Patriots. In the playoffs, however, the Cardinals rolled the Falcons, Panthers and then the Eagles to get to Super Bowl XLIII.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are historical polar opposites of the Cardinals. Great defenses and NFL championships are what define the franchise. This will be their 7th Super Bowl appearance, having won 5 in their history, including Super Bowl XL, just three years ago. And like past Super Bowl Steelers' teams, this one was powered by defense. The Steelers had the top defense in the NFL this season on yards per game allowed, the top passing defense and the second-best rushing defense. Linebacker James Harrison was named the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year.
The Steelers are also led by a second year head coach, Mike Tomlin. Meanwhile, the Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt was the Steelers' offensive coordinator prior to moving to Arizona. The Cardinals finished 9-7 this season, but it was good enough for them to win the weak NFC West division. Last season they were 8-8, and they were 5-11 the two season prior. The Steelers come into this game at 12-4 and were 10-6 a season before. They were 8-8 coming off their Super Bowl winning season in 2005, when they finished 11-5.
Again, historically, the Cardinals don't compare to the Steelers. However, the Cardinals were long shots to even make the playoffs this season, let alone the Super Bowl. They seem to be a team like the New York Giants of last year, just clicking on all cylinders at the right time. Kurt Warner is going to be a huge key for the Cardinals, since they are basically devoid of a running game of any kind. Warner needs to get the Cardinal offense on track early to pick up his young teammates and get them in a groove.
The Steelers are a hard-nosed defensive team who won't dazzle with a lot of long plays. A lot of short passes and runs will define their offense, and it will be their defense that will lead the team. They have the league's best pass defense and will make it tough for the Cardinals to do things in the air. Watch safety Troy Polamalu to make some big plays for Pittsburgh.
Historically, it's the defense that comes through for teams in the playoffs. The Cardinals have some great big-play ability thanks to Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin receiving and Steve Breaston on returns, but at the end of the day, I think the Steelers will take it home. Unless of course the Cardinals prove everyone wrong, again.
Score: Pittsburgh 23, Arizona 20.
MVP: QB Ben Roethlisberger
The Pittsburgh Steelers are historical polar opposites of the Cardinals. Great defenses and NFL championships are what define the franchise. This will be their 7th Super Bowl appearance, having won 5 in their history, including Super Bowl XL, just three years ago. And like past Super Bowl Steelers' teams, this one was powered by defense. The Steelers had the top defense in the NFL this season on yards per game allowed, the top passing defense and the second-best rushing defense. Linebacker James Harrison was named the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year.
The Steelers are also led by a second year head coach, Mike Tomlin. Meanwhile, the Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt was the Steelers' offensive coordinator prior to moving to Arizona. The Cardinals finished 9-7 this season, but it was good enough for them to win the weak NFC West division. Last season they were 8-8, and they were 5-11 the two season prior. The Steelers come into this game at 12-4 and were 10-6 a season before. They were 8-8 coming off their Super Bowl winning season in 2005, when they finished 11-5.
Again, historically, the Cardinals don't compare to the Steelers. However, the Cardinals were long shots to even make the playoffs this season, let alone the Super Bowl. They seem to be a team like the New York Giants of last year, just clicking on all cylinders at the right time. Kurt Warner is going to be a huge key for the Cardinals, since they are basically devoid of a running game of any kind. Warner needs to get the Cardinal offense on track early to pick up his young teammates and get them in a groove.
The Steelers are a hard-nosed defensive team who won't dazzle with a lot of long plays. A lot of short passes and runs will define their offense, and it will be their defense that will lead the team. They have the league's best pass defense and will make it tough for the Cardinals to do things in the air. Watch safety Troy Polamalu to make some big plays for Pittsburgh.
Historically, it's the defense that comes through for teams in the playoffs. The Cardinals have some great big-play ability thanks to Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin receiving and Steve Breaston on returns, but at the end of the day, I think the Steelers will take it home. Unless of course the Cardinals prove everyone wrong, again.
Score: Pittsburgh 23, Arizona 20.
MVP: QB Ben Roethlisberger
source(s):
Wikipedia, NFL.com
Wikipedia, NFL.com
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M$
Wow! Thanks for that detailed roundup. Anyone else have an opinion before the game starts?