Super Bowl XLIII Analysis

So, I'm going to go position by position and do some comparison.


We'll start with offense.
___

-Quarterback-


Ben Roethlisberger vs. Kurt Warner
-Ok, yes, Warner has better numbers. Big Ben has at times been a little erratic and ended up making bad decisions. But, I give the edge to the Steelers on this one. Here is why. If you put Big Ben there with Warners line and with Boldin, Breaston, Urban, Pope and most importantly Fitzgerald lining up to catch passes, he would soar to all new heights. What I like about Ben is his ability to make plays and throw on the run. His size is his biggest strength.


-Runingback-


- While Edgerin James and Tim Hightower have been getting better, I will take Willie Parker, Mewelde Moore and Gary Russell any day. Parker has that ability to break the big one at any point and might be ready for a big game. Moore has the ability to catch the big pass on 3rd down and Gary Russell has been great on short yardage situations. James and Hightower are very good together, but facing the Steelers defense is going to be their biggest task ever. So the edge goes to the Steelers.


-Wide Receiver-
(Yeah, bite me.)

- Well, this is a no-brainer. The Cardinals biggest strength is at wide-out. Fitzgerald and Boldin are so dangerous, but former Woodland Hills star Steve Breaston can be a real threat as well. Santonio Holmes has been a real player throughout the playoffs and is my dark horse to win MVP in SB43. Hines Ward is Hines Ward, The knee will be fine. No excuses from Hines. Also, there is Nate Washington, who has become a big time contributor to the team and is a threat with the deep ball. However, you can't discount what the Cards have, edge: Cardinals.


-Tight End-


-This basically comes down to Heath Miller against Leonard Pope. I am going to say this clearly: Heath Miller is a top 5 Tight End and should be a X-Factor for this game. Big time edge: Steelers.


-Offensive Line-


-This is tougher than I originally thought. While the Steelers have allowed 21 more sacks than the Cardinals in the regular season. However, the Cardinals could not run the ball well this season, and the Steelers run game has been improving greatly. But, the difference in sacks just has to give the edge to the Cardinals.

___

Now for the defense.

-Defensive Line-


-I'll be honest, I don't know much about the Cardinals defensively. But, what I do know is that up front, the Steelers are one of the best. It all starts with big ole Casey Hampton, who clears the lanes for the linebackers and safeties to come flying in. But, the line is more than Hampton, Aaron Smith is one the the most underrated players in the NFL. He is a tremendous talent. Darnell Dockett leads the way for the Cardinals and could be a big force in this game if the Steelers O-line isn't ready. But, edge: Steelers.

-Linebackers-


-Please, do I even need to write anything. Woodley, Harrison, Farrior, Foote, Timmons... Edge: Steelers.

-Cornerback-


- This is an interesting debate. I think the Steelers have great depth at corner and they have a unit that gave up the fewest passing yards in the regular season. Ike Taylor, Bryant McFadden, Deshea Townsend, andWilliam Gay are a group that can hang with the best of them. The Cards bring a good crew to the table as well. Antrel Rolle, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Ralph Brown all bring talent to this corps and can be very dangerous. But, I think that the Steelers are a little bit better and will have to be considering the receivers they are facing. Slight edge: Steelers.

-Safety-


- Adrian Wilson for the Cardinals is a play maker. But, the edge has to go to Ryan Clark and Troy Polamalu. Both guys are great players, especially Polamalu, as the Ravens found out. His skill is just a rare talent, one that can't be matched. Polamalu is my other choice for a potential SB43 MVP. Edge: Stillers.

___

-Special Teams-


- Another very close one. Santonio Holmes has been very good at punt returns, but the Cardinals aren't slouches either. The coverage units are both good as well, with former Steeler leading the way for the Cardinals. Mitch Berger has been questionable at times this year and hopefully that won't be something that hinders the Steelers in this game. The edge goes to the Steelers because of Jeff Reed and his ability to make the big kick.

___

-Coaching-


-This is a close one. In one hand, you have old Steeler coaches, who know player tendencies and weaknesses. In the ther hand, you have a legend and a brilliant mind with Dick LeBeau. The familiarity the old Steeler coaches have I think might give the Cardinals a slight advantage in this one. Edge: Cardinals.
___

It seems as if the Steelers have the advantage, but who knows, anything can happen.