Super Bowl 43

Tonight the Pittsburgh Steelers play for the chance to be the first NFL franchise with six Super Bowl championships. What are the keys to the game?

As anyone who has ever watched a Steelers game with me knows, my philosophy for winning is simple. Run the ball. Play defense. It is no surprise then that I believe the Steelers need to stay with this style of play to win the game. Even in the AFC Championship game where Willie Parker was given plenty of touches but did not gain as many yards, the strategy worked. Without a consistent running attack to keep the offense balanced, Ben will not be able to make the throws he needs to.

Specifically to this game, I think that Heath Miller is going to be a big factor in the receiving game. While it is assured that the Steelers will take their shots downfield, Roethlisberger will have the opportunity to make plenty of short completions. If Ward cannot go at full strength, Miller will become key in this phase of the game.

The Steelers offensive line has improved tremendously this year, and they will need to play their best for the Steelers to win. If the line can key in on Adrian Wilson and prevent him from blitzing the weak side (how the Cardinals beat us in 2007) then Ben will have the time he needs. Time will also be a very important key to the offense in simply staying on the field. The defense will need to have as much rest as possible so they can remain fresh at the end of the game.

Which brings me to the most important point: defense wins championships. Many people say this half-heartedly but I believe it is one of the truest statement in sports. Luckily the Steelers have the number one defense in the NFL coming into this game. The Cardinals have a solid offense, and stopping their aerial attack will be the key to the game.

I am not as concerned about Larry Fitzgerald as many are. He is the best receiver in football today unquestionably, but I think LeBeau will have the defense focus on him. This means the more important factor is whoever ends up in single coverage with Anquan Boldin, who has not played without injury in the playoffs. Part of stopping Fitzgerald and Boldin is rushing Warner. Many analysts are predicting a lot of blitzing, but I think the Steelers will remain conservative with the blitz. Our defensive front has enough power that I think we can get to Warner without bringing a full-out blitz. That is very good because Warner is one of the best in the league at throwing over the blitz.

The way that this article is written it seems as if this game is the Steelers’ to lose. Well, that is the case to be honest. If we play to the level we are capable of defensively, I think we can stop the Cardinals. I just hope the Steelers come onto the field with that killer defensive instinct from the start and never let Arizona get going.

Final Prediction: Steelers 20-13. The Arizona offensve gets shutdown and I really hope the Steelers can score more. I just think this is going to be more of a defensive game than a lot of people, hence the low score. There is only one thing left to say…

HERE WE GO STEELERS!