It's On!!!

thank goodness!! Super Sunday is imminent!!

TheSportsVerdict is game day ready!

I defy anyone to find me one sports writer, fan, 'expert', bookie, child, woman, donkey... whatever... who called a Pittsburgh/Arizona Super Bowl in August.

The first half is a bit of a feeling out period. Expect Arizona to have little to no success running the football. Willie Parker will help keep the pressure off of Big Ben and Pitt takes advantage of a Kurt Warner pick to lead 17-10 at half.

Larry Fitzgerald will catch one long pass leading to Arizona's first half TD. Warner looking for more from #11 causes more sacks and short fields for the Steeler offense.

The second half will be a bonanza for the Steeler pass rush and the most over-looked player in this, and nearly ever Pitt game, wide out Santonio Holmes.
Holmes will score at least once and be the difference maker for a Steelers offense lacking a full speed Hines Ward.

Arizona trick plays in the second half fail and backfire... more Pittsburgh points

Look for the Arizona offense to settle for field goals in the second half as Willie Parker and Santonio Holmes score touchdowns.

Pittsburgh pulls away and wins 31-16.

Keys to the Game:

1. San Diego and Baltimore, with superior running games to AZ, were unable to sustain ground success against Pittsburgh. The Cards will finish near 60 yards rushing

2. Santonio Holmes is a big game player. Expect him to come up huge at least once- watch out for him on punt returns

3. The Pittsburgh front seven, tees off on statue quarterback Kurt Warner, forcing bad throws, picks and sacks

4. Edgerrin James and Tim Hightower cannot get the Cardinals into 3rd down and short situations, allowing for double coverage on Fitzgerald. TE Leonard Pope not the factor the Cards need him to be

5. Pittsburgh fans outnumber Arizona fans 5-1 in the stadium (if not more)... though not a huge deal, still an advantage for the Steelers.

6. Big Ben able to improvise and make plays outside the pocket when the scheme breaks down. Kurt Warner cannot escape the rush like Ben and Pittsburgh team defense will force players other than Fitzgerald to make plays... the Cards cannot answer that bell...

7. While Fitzgerald will score on one long TD catch, this is not the answer for a 60 minute game.

8. Ultimately, Pittsburgh's ability to get after Warner, stuff the run and be balanced on offense will overwhelm an Arizona team that has overachieved for the past month.