The Power Zone Super Bowl XLIII Preview

Congratulations to the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers, who both earned the right to go to Tampa, Florida to play in Super Bowl XLIII. The Arizona Cardinals earned the right to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl with a thrilling 32-25 victory over the Philladelphia Eagles. The Pittsburgh Steelers earned the right to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl with a 23-14 victory over the Baltimore Ravens.

Key Players on both sides of the ball:
ARIZONA O: Kurt Warner, Cardinals QB: Kurt Warner already has one Super Bowl Ring that he earned when he Quarterbacked the St. Louis Rams with a victory in Super Bowl XXXIV. With a win on Sunday, he will have his second Super Bowl Ring. Kurt Warner, at the age of 34, is the third oldest Quarterback to start a Super Bowl.

Kurt has been well so far in the postseason, playing smart, being patient, not turning the ball over often, and putting the ball in the hands of his playmakers, Edgerrin James, Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald. Warner also has been helped out when he turns the ball over by this surprisingly good defense.

Kurt Warner needs to play smart, be patient, not turn the ball over, and go deep for his playmakers. Kurt will have to keep this formula working if the Cardinals are to pull the upset

PITTSBURGH D: James Harrison, Steelers LB: Harrison is, no doubt the heart of the Steelers D. Harrison and Troy Polamalu are the Steelers Defensive Playmakers. The Steelers Defense will have to get pressure on Kurt Warner, forcing him to throw the ball before he wants to. Easier said than done.


PITTSBURGH O: Ben Rothelisberger, Steelers QB: Big Ben won Super Bowl XL three years ago. Now the Pressure is on him to do it again for Pittsburgh to win a record Sixth Super Bowl. Big Ben has been making smart decisions and taking advantage of what the defense gives him. Big Ben is going to throw to Hines Ward, Nate Washington, and the rookie Limas Sweed, who will be looking to redeem himself after dropping a sure touchdown catch in the first half of the AFC Championship Game. The Steelers will also be running the ball early and often with Willie Parker.

ARIZONA D: Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie & Antrell Rolle : Arizona CB: The Cardinals Corners will have to knock the Pittsburgh receivers off their routes. Easier said than done.


Coaches: Arizona Cardinals Coach Ken Whisenhunt was the Steelers Offensive Coordinator when the Steelers won Super Bowl XL. After head coach Bill Cowher retired, Whisenhunt was expected to become the new Steelers coach, but he was instead passed on for current Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin. Whisenhunt then took the job as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals. Whether there is any hard feelings over that or not, the fact that the Arizona Cardinals have a shot to win the Super Bowl Is Absolutely Incredible.



Special Teams: If the offense and defense are neutralized, Special Teams is going to be how the Super Bowl will be won. Will the Cardinals Special Teams squad be able to contain the Steelers speedster, Santonio Holmes? Will the Cardinals be able to score points when they get down into the goal line? Or will they have to settle for field goals from the very good Neil Rackers?

I can't wait for the Super Bowl. I Watch The World Series and the NBA Finals, but the only Sporting Event I Record every season is The Super Bowl. This will be my eighth year recording the Super Bowl. The first Super Bowl I Recorded was Super Bowl XXXVI, when the New England Patriots pulled off the biggest upset since Super Bowl III.

Ben Rothelisberger has had the clock ticking for his chance at a second ring for the last two seasons. Kurt Warner’s chance to win a second Super Bowl will close after this game, because I think he has his mind set on retiring after this game.

Can The Cardinals win the Super Bowl? No doubt about it. There are a lot of people out there underestimating the Cardinals.




Knowing the Super Bowl, anything is possible, and that is why everybody loves to watch it, even if they watch just for the commercials.



Prediction: Both Kurt Warner and Ben Rothelisberger to rely on the running game early. They both could rely on the short passing game to help build up their confidence. The Steelers Front Four will have to stop Edgerrin James and Larry Fitzgerald. Ditto with The Cardinals defense having to contain Willie Parker and Hines Ward while also getting Pressure on Ben Rothelisberger. Once Again, easier said than done.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are trying to win a record sixth Super Bowl to “win one for the other thumb.” The Arizona Cardinals are trying to end the longest title drought in NFL History,

My Pick Is:
PITTSBURGH OVER ARIZONA

Cardinals, Steelers To Meet In Super Bowl XLIII

The Matchup for Super Bowl XLIII is set.

The Pittsburgh Steelers will meet the Arizona Cardinals in Tampa, Florida February 1st for Super Bowl XLII.

The Cardinals defeated the Eagles 32-25.

The Steelers defeated the Ravens 23-14.

My Super Bowl XLIII Preview will be up Saturday, January 31st.

Cardinals Stun Cowboys in OT

The Arizona Cardinals defeated the Dallas Cowboys in overtime on Sunday. The Cardinals scored in OT on a blocked punt, the first time that has happened in league history.

Wow! What an incredible finish! That was the best game of all on Sunday! What a finish! A Blocked punt to end the game!

NFL Preview: NFC West

Shaun Alexander is the best running back in the NFC, and he will help Seattle win the NFC West again.



The Seattle Seahawks in 2006 compiled a 14-2 record and advanced all the way to the Super Bowl. where they were defeated by the Pittsburgh Steelers. The following Season, they advanced to the NFC Divisional Playoff Game, where they were defeated by the Chicago Bears on a last second, game winning Field Goal. Matt Hasselbeck, Shaun Alexander, and Deion Branch headline the best offense in the NFC West. The defense in Seattle is pretty good as well, headlined by LineBacker Lofa Tatupu and CornerBack Kelly Herndon is the also one of the best in the NFC. There is no doubt in my mind that Seattle will win the NFC West again.

Prediction: 12-4, 1st Place.

So, how did teams like San Francisco, St Louis, and Arizona fare in their efforts to keep up? Keep Reading.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ers: San Francisco is on the rise. The team mant did not expect to win five games won seven games, including a thrilling barnburner of a game on the NFL Network where San Francisco, trailing by 17 points, scored 24 unanswered point to take the victory 24-17. It was the Greatest Game in the History of Thursday Night Football, and the greatest finish to a game nobody saw since "The Heidi Bowl."

San Francisco has lost Offensive Coordinator Norv Turner, as he is now the Head Coach of the San Diego Chargers. Alex Smith really took a step forward last season, as he really got comfortable throwing to Tight End Vernon Davis. The 49ers Defense continues to get better, and San Francisco has a shot to get above .500 this season.

Prediction: 9-7 2nd Place.

ST. LOUIS RAMS: The Saint Lous Rams have made some improvements, the biggest being the acquisition of Kick Returner Dante Hall from Kansas City. Hall needs just one more return touchdown to become the all time leader in returns for touchdowns. Marc Bulger is till in St. Louis, as is Torry Holt and Issac Bruce. Marshall Faulk is retired, but the Rams have the perfect guy to fill his cleats in Steven Jackson. He's gonna be something, provided the hard turf of the Edward Jones Dome doesn't tear up his knees. The Rams don't have much of a defense anymore, but their offense is still there, and Offense, as always, is how you win in St. Louis. That Being said, The Rams are going to have Jackson rush for 1,000 yards, and Marc Bulger will light it up in the passing game. I just don't trust their defense, and that will be their downfall.

Prediction: 7-9, 3rd Place.

ARIZONA CARDINALS: The Cardinals' New Stadium in Glendale, Arizona will be the site for Super Bowl XLII. The Cardinals have a lot of upside offensively, with second year man Matt Leinart, Running Back Edgerrin James, and Wide Receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. The Cardinals have also brought Ken Whisenhunt from Pittsburgh, replacing Dennis Green as head Coach. Arizona has the offense. However, they have no defense, and this team, like Moses and the Israelites, will be stuck wandering in the desert for the Promised Land.

Our Next, and Final NFL Preview takes us to the NFC South. Will the Saints go Marching In for another division title? Is Jeff Garcia going to revitalize the Sinking Ship of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? Has the Michael Vick Saga Doomed Atlanta for years to come? Find out in the next(and last)NFL Preview.