Steelers-Cardinals: How They Compare

PigskinPros Superbowl Lineup:

-Wednesday: Road To The Superbowl: Pittsburgh Steelers
-Thursday: Road To The Superbowl: Arizona Cardinals
-Friday: Steelers-Cardinals: How They Compare
-Saturday: The Official PigSkinPros Superbowl Prediction
-Monday: Superbowl Game Analysis

What's one way to find out who has the best chance to win the superbowl? No, not simulate it on Madden! The absolute best way to do so is to compare their starting line-ups. Who has better players at each position? We at PigSkin Pros will break it down for you:

Quarterbacks: Roethlisberger vs. Warner
Ben Roethlisberger has defeated the Baltimore Ravens three times. He definetely deserves credit for that. However, Kurt Warner has played outstanding so far this post season, passing for 770 yards and 8 TD's. This will be "Big Ben's" second time to the "Big Dance". Warner's third time, but first since 2001. Doesn't matter. Kurt Warner has the edge here for his outstand play throughout his entire career in the post season.
The Pick: Arizona

Runningbacks: Parker vs. James/Hightower/Arrington
Fast Willie Parker returned from injury to lead the Steelers running game. Although he didn't impress vs. Baltimore, I feel that he has worked his kinks out and will be ready for the not-so-bad-not-so-good Arizona run defense. Edgerrin James has come out of the Arizona desert these past few playoff weeks, to emerge as a fresh, reliable running back. Hightower has really slowed down, despite a decent regular season. Arrington can be used in the passing game. However, so can Parker.
The Pick: Pittsburgh

Receivers: Ward/Holmes/Washington vs. Fitzgerald/Boldin/Breaston
This is where the Arizona sun shines brighest. The high powered Arizona offense is captained by Kurt Warner but brought to life by the fantastic three: Fitz, Boldin, and Breaston. Any one of these three can go the distance. Fitzgerald is a Top 3 Receiver, and can be argued to be the best in the league. Boldin can very well be in the Top 10. Steve Breaston was reliable in the regular season, and one of Kurt Warner's favorite targets. The Steelers on the otherhand, not so great. Hines Ward is an excellent possession receiver, and a great down field blocker, but the deep-threat is not there. Santonio Holmes, the speedy guy, has been very inconsistent this season, despite scoring a rather "lucky" touchdown last week when CB Corey Ivy slipped in coverage. Nate Washington is good for one big play a game. Fitzgerald? One big play a quarter.
The Pick: Arizona

Offensive Line:
Ben Roethlisberger has been sacked way too many times this season. Kurt Warner? Not so much. The Steelers line has a rather excellent run block, although the Cardinals' push isn't something to sneeze at. The big difference is the pass block. Roethlisberger had taken 46 sacks in the regular season. Warner, 26, despite having 129 more passing attempts than Big Ben. Simple. Simple. Simple....Oh wait, they're playing the confusing, quarterback killing, Dick LeBeau-run, Steeler Defense? I don't care.
The Pick: Arizona

Defensive Line:
The Pittsburgh Defense isn't number one in the league because their defensive lineman are girl scouts. No, No, No. In fact, if you called Casey Hampton a girl scout...he would probably eat you. The Chargers could not run on Pittsburgh, and neither could the run-heavy Ravens. The Steelers did not allow a 100 yard rusher all season! The Steel Curtain #2 also gets plenty of pass rush from Smith and Keisel. The Arizona line is mediocre. Sure, they have Darnell Dockett and Bertrund Berry, but let's get serious. Casey Hampton is Docket and Berry combined. Despite the Cardinal defensive line holding Michael Turner, DeAngelo Williams, Johnathan Stewart, and Brian Westbrook intact, I feel they are not as good as the men in black and gold.
The Pick: Pittsburgh

Linebackers:
Karlos Dansby and Chike Okeafor will have to bring their A game's A game to match the level of play of Pittsburgh's James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley, who together, form some out of this world, quarterback sacking, mega monster machine. James Harrison is the NFL Defensive MVP of the 2008 Regular season, and lets just say, Chike Okeafor is not. Pittsburgh can do it all. They can blitz and stop the run. This is about as lopsided as Casey Hampton and Ken Whisenhunt on a see-saw.
The Pick: Pittsburgh

Secondary:
When Ed Reed is out of the picture, Troy Polamalu becomes the best safety in the league. Polamalu is a magnetically attracted to the ball, for he is always around it, either making a hard tackle or picking it off. Safeties Antrell Rolle and Adrian Wilson bring a lot of attitude to the game, but this debate was over at Troy. Ike Taylor and DeShea Townsend are very good, but very underrated NFL cornerbacks. They will have trouble vs. Fitzgerald and company. However, Big Ben will have just as much success with Rookie Cromartie-Rodgers and Rod Hood.
The Pick: Pittsburgh

Special Teams:
Jeff "Quadzilla" Reed, whose right kicking quad is bigger than the quad in my shed, is about as clutch as they get when it comes to field goal kicking. Rackers is decent. Arizona may have the edge at punter, but the return game is pretty much even. Breaston and Arrington are very good return men, and Santonio Holmes can make a big play happen at anytime. However, I will not resort to a tie. Steelers get this spot, just because of Reed's huge quads.
The Pick: Pittsburgh

Coaching:
Both head coaches are head-coaching in their first superbowl. Whisenhunt has already received a superbowl ring though, winning it with the Steelers when he was the offensive coordinator in 2005. The big kahuna here is Steelers' defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, who is referred by me as the "Einstein of the Blitz". He confuses more quarterbacks than Brett Favre confuses what team he is playing for. (High Interception Rate joke...get it? No? Well I'll think of a better one later). I feel that the head coaches and offensive coordinators are even. But, Dick LeBeau commands that you call him "Daddy" on Sunday's.
The Pick: Pittsburgh

Arizona's high powered offense against Pittsburgh's high powered defense. A great match-up indeed. I could add an "Overall" comparison, but I feel that could be taking away from tomorrow's prediction. Despite Pittsburgh being a bit superior in terms of our comparisons, there is no doubt that Arizona is a hot team and playing very, very well. It should be one heck of a game, that we can all enjoy.

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Tomorrow: The Official PigSkin Pros Superbowl 43 Prediction

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