Super Bowl predictions

[Inferno]

My buddy gave me the Cardinals +7, so I took it. I'm not sure Arizona can overcome Pittsburgh's defence, but Warner has proven himself to be clutch in big games, so hopefully he can pull out one more?

What about you guys? Got any action on the game? What are your predictions?

 

[Inferno]

That's the spot in 'Vegas.

Yeah, I figured that was fair. Who are you picking?

 

[Shades]

I think you've got a good bet there...if Warner and Hightower are on they will be able to pick some significant holes in the Steeler defense. I would take 7 points on the Cards.

 

[ckupets04]

I honestly havent even thought about a prediction yet. I am notorious for going out on a limb and picking the underdogs though in almost any sport which is why I am probably not good with predictions but as far the matchup, I think in order for Zona to win they gotta do a few things

1) Block Harrison & Woodley - Mike Gandy might be the key to the Cards Success in the SB, Levi Brown as well will have to have a good game
2) Win the STs battle - Both of Baltimore's TD drives in the Championship game came off of short fields resulting from STs plays (the Jim Leonard punt return and the bad punt by Mitch Berger). A lot of hidden yardage can be picked up on STs. The more yardage you can make on STs, the less yardage you have to drive against the Steelers defense
3) DRC versus Santonio Holmes will also be a key matchup for the Cards. With Ward maybe not at 100% and Santonio being the deep threat for the Steelers , if DRC can shut down Holmes then that will be good for the Cards
4) Breaston versus Townsend could be a matchup that Zona could exploit. I expect Steve Breaston to have a big game in the SB.
5) The Zona backs and TEs will have to perform well in pass-pro (blitz-pickup). They dont call Pittsburgh "Blitzburgh" for nothing.
6) Zona must have at least one defensive or STs score to win this game in my opinion.

 

[bigdik]

I honestly havent even thought about a prediction yet. I am notorious for going out on a limb and picking the underdogs though in almost any sport which is why I am probably not good with predictions but as far the matchup, I think in order for Zona to win they gotta do a few things

1) Block Harrison & Woodley - Mike Gandy might be the key to the Cards Success in the SB, Levi Brown as well will have to have a good game
2) Win the STs battle - Both of Baltimore's TD drives in the Championship game came off of short fields resulting from STs plays (the Jim Leonard punt return and the bad punt by Mitch Berger). A lot of hidden yardage can be picked up on STs. The more yardage you can make on STs, the less yardage you have to drive against the Steelers defense
3) DRC versus Santonio Holmes will also be a key matchup for the Cards. With Ward's maybe not at 100% and Santonio being the deep threat for the Steelers , if DRC can shut down Holmes then that will be good for the Cards
4) Breaston versus Townsend could be a matchup that Zona could exploit. I expect Steve Breaston to have a big game in the SB.
5) The Zona backs and TEs will have to perform well in pass-pro (blitz-pickup). They dont call Pittsburgh "Blitzburgh" for nothing.
6) Zona must have at least one defensive or STs score to win this game in my opinion.

They won't keep the Steelers off Warner. Lebeau is like a kid playing with GI Joe's right now, working on his gameplan. Take the Steelers, give the points.

 

[ckupets04]

They won't keep the Steelers off Warner. Lebeau is like a kid playing with GI Joe's right now, working on his gameplan. Take the Steelers, give the points.

If the Steelers do get a pressure then its all on the Cards defense and STs to win the game. Hey, the O-line of PITT might be the achillees heel of the team this year. If the Cards defense can force some turnovers then that might give Warner and Co. some short fields.

This being said, I've watched all the playoff games and I was impressed with the Cards pass-pro in all 3 games save for the 2nd half of the Championship game. Other than that they job the Cards did in pass-pro was excellent. I didnt think they could block Abraham or Peppers and they did. And they blocked Jim Johnson's blitz schemes in the first half of the championship game. I'm sure LEbeau will be reviewing the 2nd half of the NFC championship game to see how Jim Johnson got pressure on Warner in that 2nd half, seemed like Trent Cole was in the backfield the entire half. The diff between LEbeau and Jim Johnson is that Lebeau will have more zone-blitzes.

 

[ckupets04]

They won't keep the Steelers off Warner. Lebeau is like a kid playing with GI Joe's right now, working on his gameplan. Take the Steelers, give the points.

So the question becomes can BRuce Arians keep Bertrand Berry, Antonio Smith, Darnell Dockett, Okeafor, Hayes, and the rest of the front 7 off Big Ben?

 

[bigdik]

So the question becomes can BRuce Arians keep Bertrand Berry, Antonio Smith, Darnell Dockett, Okeafor, Hayes, and the rest of the front 7 off Big Ben?

Yep. I'm betting that by moving Ben around they can buy him enough time to make enough plays. That's not really an option you have with Warner.

 

[Scenicdrive]

The good doc will go with the Cardinals the underdog. It is always more fun to root for the underdog. Plus Warner has heart of a champion. Look for him to keep throwing touch down bombs to tame the iron curtain.

 

[ckupets04]

The good doc will go with the Cardinals the underdog. It is always more fun to root for the underdog. Plus Warner has heart of a champion. Look for him to keep throwing touch down bombs to tame the iron curtain.

Should be fun to see Ike Taylor versus Fitz, that will be a good matchup for sure. I am sure 43 will be a factor in this game as he always is, is there a defensive player in the league that covers as much territory as him ? Seems like Troy is just all over the field, maybe there is more than one of him. The guy lines up just about everywhere.

 

[Scenicdrive]

Should be fun to see Ike Taylor versus Fitz, that will be a good matchup for sure. I am sure 43 will be a factor in this game as he always is, is there a defensive player in the league that covers as much territory as him ? Seems like Troy is just all over the field, maybe there is more than one of him. The guy lines up just about everywhere.

Troy is indeed a beast!!! The Cardinals' offense will need to outsmart and outplay him. Hope both teams play hard and do not disappoint from the entertainment standpoint.

 

[ckupets04]

wouldnt surprise me either to see the Cards passing on first downs, (passing on running downs) just because the Steelers still have to respect the run on first downs so it might help the O-line in pass-pro to pass on first downs.

 

[gramage]

To me the game comes down to Larry Fitzgerald. He is a physical mismatch that Warner can just throw it up to any time the pressure is coming (and he can get the ball out faster then most QB's.) If the steelers don't find a cover man or scheme that can reduce his ability to get open then the game is the cardinals to take. If they can take him out on third down or as a quick read the steelers role.

My money is on LeBeau finding that scheme and the steelers rolling.

 

[bigdik]

Anyone else notice?

The 2 biggest playmakers in this game both really need a haircut.
Maybe the whole Samson story has some validity?
I've been a Steelers fan since before the Immaculate Reception, so obviously I'm biased, but I just think the Steelers have more playmakers, and the big plays win.
For the Cards it all has to fall into place the way it did when the Broncos beat the Pack way back in SB XXXII. Good play and a couple of big breaks early, then hang on.

 

[ckupets04]

The 2 biggest playmakers in this game both really need a haircut.
Maybe the whole Samson story has some validity?
I've been a Steelers fan since before the Immaculate Reception, so obviously I'm biased, but I just think the Steelers have more playmakers, and the big plays win.
For the Cards it all has to fall into place the way it did when the Broncos beat the Pack way back in SB XXXII. Good play and a couple of big breaks early, then hang on.

Polamalu does look faster out there with the hair flowing behind him though doesnt he? I would argue though that James Harrison is every bit the play-maker that Polamalu is though. Harrison deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as Fitz and Polamalu. He is so greedy, he doesnt just want the sack he wants the sack the strip forced fumble, the recovery and the TD. Both OLBs are actually like that for the Steelers.

I still think the most important player in this game might be Mike GAndy. Not the best player but the most important. His play will have a huge impact on how this game unfolds in my opinion.

 

[ckupets04]

To me the game comes down to Larry Fitzgerald. He is a physical mismatch that Warner can just throw it up to any time the pressure is coming (and he can get the ball out faster then most QB's.) If the steelers don't find a cover man or scheme that can reduce his ability to get open then the game is the cardinals to take. If they can take him out on third down or as a quick read the steelers role.

My money is on LeBeau finding that scheme and the steelers rolling.

I am guessing it will be Ike Taylor on Fitz with probably safety help over the top. Fitz does have a knack for making plays in double-coverage though as he did in the Atlanta and Carolina games. Philly had some busted coverages, I have no idea how he got matched up one-on-one with Quentin Demps on that one play.

 

[slowandeasy]

The Steelers will have a good day against the Cards. I would take the Steelers -7 any day.

I think that the Cards have a chance, but it would be a small chance.

 

[ckupets04]

The Steelers will have a good day against the Cards. I would take the Steelers -7 any day.

I think that the Cards have a chance, but it would be a small chance.

Any word on what the forecast is for the SB? Obviously with it being in Tampa it wont be cold and there wont be snow but rain would be a disadvantage to the Cardinals.

An X-factor too could be the crowd, Steelers fans travel better than any fans in the NFL and I expect there to be more STeelers fans than Cards fans in Tampa.

 

[squash500]

I'll take the Steelers -7 . IMHO, the Steelers defence is just too good. They will have no trouble stopping Zona's potent offense!

 

[ckupets04]

I'll take the Steelers -7 . IMHO, the Steelers defence is just too good. They will have no trouble stopping Zona's potent offense!

Thing is Zona's offense is more potent than the Ravens offense and yet the Ravens still were able to score two TDs on the Steelers in the championship game on the road. This game will be on a neutral field. But for sure special teams will be key , Zona can score points on PITT if they can get some short fields. Also Zona's offense is more capable of explosive plays than the Ravens offense.