Steelers Win Super Bowl

The Pittsburgh Steelers have claimed Super Bowl XLIII in fantastic win over the resilient Arizona Cardinals. What a great way to cap the NFL season! Everyone thought this game was going to be a blowout (in favor of the Steelers), but those tough Cardinals proved us wrong.

I know I didn't post my prediction before the game. Their is so much hype revolved around this big game, that I didn't want to have to add more of the same. Also, I kept going back and forth on who I thought would win.

Two receivers starred in this game. Larry Fitzgerald showed up as advertised. In the first half, he wasn't a factor. But in the second half he lead the Cardinals back from the dead with two BIG touchdown passes. The other receiver, Santonio Holmes surprisingly took over the game. His biggest play came at the very end, when he tiptoed in bounds in the touchdown to give his Steelers the victory. He had nine catches for 131 yards. He is your Super Bowl MVP, and he deserves it.

Pittsburgh's defense showed up (also as advertised). Defensive Player of the Year James Harrison returned an interception 100 yards to end the first half with the Steelers winning 17-7. That was a key play that will be overshadowed because of the fantastic finish.

The Cardinals tried to bounce back, but it was too little too late. Fitzgerald had a seven catches for 127 yards and two touchdowns, including a 64-yarder that gave the Cards the lead with two and a half minutes left

Congratulations to the World Champion Steelers!

The Eagles Blew It!

The Philadelphia Eagles have done it again. Just when you think that they might win their first Super Bowl Championship, they come out and have a lousy game like that. I thought this team was the team destined to win the Super Bowl. But they lost to the Arizona Cardinals in a game they should have won easily, had they showed up before halftime.

When the smoke had cleared (and the confetti started falling), the Eagles lost 32-25 and it was all over. It was their fault and only their fault that they lost. Donovan McNabb played horrendous in the first half. He looked good in the second half, but by then it was far too late.

I was very surprised by their second half surge, as almost everyone watching the game was. I thought the game was over when the clock ran out to end the second quarter. The defense had not played very well up to that point, and the offense was downright ugly. But then in the second quarter, Brent Celek showed why he is the starting tightend. An acrobatic catch by the rookie Desean Jackson gave hope to all the Eagle fans. But it was all for nothing.

Donovan McNabb will never win the big one. It is that simple. The great quarterbacks are consistent in their dominance. McNabb is anything but. It is as if he needs to warm up for a half until he can throw the ball in the hands of a receiver. You can blame the defense, but I can't. They weren't getting any help, and McNabb was only hurting the team.

Many people will blame Andy. But I can't really blame Reid. The players are the ones that have the final say on the outcome of the game, the coaches can only sit and watch. Of course, Reid must have made some kind of halftime adjustment. How do you think they played so much better in the second half? But it was not enough. It will not ever be enough with McNabb around.

Eagles-Cardinals Preview

The Philadelphia Eagles will be playing the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium in the NFC Championship Game. The Eagles are favored in this game by four points. Personally, I think they will win by more than that. But let's break down these two teams.

Running Game

The Eagles have a first class rusher in Brian Westbrook, but he is not 100%. Westbrook will most likely play in this game but maybe in a limited role. He may need the help of backup Correll Buckhalter. The Eagles need Westbrook to be more of a factor in this game than he was in the previous two playoff games.

The Cardinals have a aging Edgerrin James at running back, complemented by Tim Hightower. I am pretty sure the Eagles defense will have no problem with this running game (or lack there of). The Eagles have stopped the likes of Adrian Peterson and Brandon Jacobs. They should be able to keep James in check.

Edge: Eagles

Passing Game

Donovan McNabb needs to have a great game for the Eagles to win. It is as simple as that. He has been playing superb in the last two playoff games. It was good news to hear that wideout Jason Avant will be playing tomorrow afternoon, after suffering an injury. Avant has been a key receiver on third downs. McNabb needs to run a lot a screens to Westbrook to keep the Arizona defense honest. I do think that tightend Brent Celek will have a big game on Sunday.

Arizona's passing game is one of the finest in the entire league. Kurt Warner is playing very well. Heck, it's not that hard when you have guys like Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald on your side. I notice that Warner has played very well only when he has had two great wideouts on his team. When he was in Saint Louis he had Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce. Now he has Boldin and Fitz.

Edge: Cardinals

Defense

The Eagles defense is the reason that the Eagles keep coming back for more. They have kept the offense in the game. Just when it looks like the game may slip away, the defense comes up with a big stop or turnover to give the Eagles the momentum. Asante Samuel is absolutely on fire. He is the MVP of the Eagles playoff run so far. No doubt about it.

The Cardinals defense has been playing surprisingly well lately. The Eagles may have a little trouble with them. The Eagles played against two very good defenses in the first two rounds, so I think they will be able to handle these guys.


My Prediction: Eagles 35
Cardinals 13