February 13, 2012
  • 1/29/09

    arizona cardinals

    By Max J. Dickstein

    Arizona Super Bowl prediction: Long marches downfield will key Cardinals' win

    By Max J. Dickstein

    The steel-hearted punishers of Pittsburgh: overwhelming favorites.

    Kurt Warner’s heart-warming Cardinals: plucky overachievers.

    The expected story: The Steelers’ fortitudinous defense writes a brutal final chapter to ’Zona’s Cinderella tale. But I see a brewing upset.

    The Cardinals’ historically high-flying passing game is peaking; Warner has thrown eight touchdowns against just two interceptions in three playoff games. He picks from among a trio of 1,000-yard-receiver targets: solid Steve Breaston, arduous Anquan Boldin and lyrical Larry Fitzgerald, sure to further smash his single-postseason receiving record of 419 yards.

    If the platoon of Tim Hightower and Edgerrin James gets even modest traction in the running game, Arizona will enjoy prolonged marches downfield.

    Pittsburgh’s defense can stop game-breaking plays and keep Warner relatively contained. But that is enough for the Cardinals, who can win behind carefully contructed drives like those that defeated the Eagles’ heralded defense two weeks ago.

    The key is to outclass the hobbled offense of Ben Roethlisberger (not in Warner’s class) and keep Arizona’s average defense rested enough to make a key stop in a close game.

    Arizona 21, Pittsburgh 20

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