Part Deux!

Mike Tomlin does look viciously down to earth in that photograph James provided, doesn't he? I suppose that's part of the coach's charm, or whatever the quality is that appeals to professional sports players. Alas, it is a perspective I will never know. Possible exceptions include the Senior PGA Tour, the Senior European PGA Tour, the Senior Canadian PGA Tour, the PBA tour, and of course my outlandish dream of being a professional backgammon player. By this point, I am digressing too far away from sports branded "athletic". I think I could be good at darts, but to paraphrase Franny Glass, "It just looks so dreadfully tiresome, doesn't it?". 

Super Bowl Prediction:

Arizona 27, Pittsburgh 23.

I was so close to typing 25 after Pittsurgh, but predicting a safety, I figured, would be just too preposterous. 

I do think Arizona is the best team right now. In fact, they look amazing. Big plays on both sides of the field, a domianting turnover margin, and of course the pure talent on offense rising to the occasion. Pittsburgh, in my mind, did not look particularly impressive in their victory over Baltimore in the AFC Championship game, and if they somehow ever have to play in a game where the referee corps don't hand their 401ks to some bookie named Ron with the hopes of the Steelers covering the spread, then they could lose. Clearly, this is unlikely to happen, but this is the Super Bowl so I have to hope that at the very least another woefully mediocre performance won't be enough for victory.

Stuff to consider:

The Cardinals have 8 interceptions in their 3 playoff games. It will be very difficult for the Steelers to win if Ben Roethlisberger throws a couple picks instead of the usual barrage of 11 yard passes. While the Cardinals point defense has not been particularly impressive these playoffs, they have been making some big plays at crucial points. Yes they gave up 375 passing yards to Donovan McNabb, but the Eagles were playing from behind the whole game, and the contract which Andy reid signed to get a lifetime supply of Nacho Cheesier Doritos also forces him to call an average of 59.6 passing plays per game. 

Big play factors. Obviously, this is something sports fans associate with the Cardinals right now, but I believe to be a key to a potential Steeler's victory. Arizona's secondary will have to step it up, because if the last 2 games have told me anything, it's that Pittsburgh has an undying desire to randomly throw at least six 70 yard passes a game, no matter how exhaustingly boring their offense normally appears. If they connect, as they did on a fairly strange pass to Santonio Holmes 2 weeks ago, or rather, connect more than once, Pittsburgh will not lose. I think that Arizona will need a constant barrge of short passes, running plays, and mid range passes over the middle (perhaps to that doofy looking white tight end they have??) to win. They cannot rely on hooking up with Fitzgerald for 80 yards whenever the whim strikes Ken Whisenhunt.  

Hype. Kurt Warner will be ready to go. Ben Roethlisberger will be sacked. James is right in stating that Boldin will be a key to the Cardinals success, and I do believe he will have a big game. If Warner somehow manages to throw zero interceptions, I don't see how the Steelers will win. It just won't happen. Willie Parker had 46 yards on 24 carries last week, and the Cardinals have allowed starting running backs 42, 63, and 45 yards in 3 playoff games. It's not like Turner, Stewart, and Westbrook are the Ian Poulter of rushers, either. I also believe that Joe Crede would be an apt metaphor here. 

Special Teams. Not the fun kind, like punt returning or blocking an extra point and running it back 103 yards for 2 points, but kicking. Just kicking. Arizona's kicker has missed only 3 all year, and he's perfect on the season from 40-49 yards. Apparently Pittsburgh's kicker, Jeff Reed has missed 4 field goals, though I believe this to be the branch of some massive statistical conspiracy which I can't wrap my mind around right now. It probably involves the Freemasons though. I'm certain Reed has never missed a field goal in his life, and if he does shank one in the first half, then prepare yourselves for a 56-14 Cardinals victory. 

The Steelers have managed to beat all of 2 playoff bound teams this year. The Chargers and the Ravens, or for the casual sports fan, the two teams the Steelers beat in the playoffs. That's all. 

The Cardinals have players with names like Neil Rackers and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. 

Troy Polamalu is so overrated, it's ridiculous. Randomly flipping over the line doesn't always get the job done, you know.

X Factor: Tim Hightower. I've actually convinced myself that not only is he the X Factor, but he will be the difference maker, the icing on the cake, and the nail in the coffin. I am certain he will do something. 

MVP: If the Cardinals win I guess it will be Kurt Warner, because the cabal in charge of sports media loves white quarterbacks and only white quarterbacks. I suppose if Fitzgerald goes for something ridiculous like 250 yards, he could get it. We will all know that Tim Hightower is truly deserving of the award though, and I can only hope that the man sleeps soundly Sunday night with such knowledge engrained in his mind.