Thoughts on the Superbowl

-This is the first Superbowl in awhile where I actually like both teams involved and have no rooting interests. It's a bit weird, and it actually takes away from it a little bit for me, and is a complete 180 from last season where I rooted for the Giants like my life and well being depended on it. I do, have a little bias towards Kurt Warner for knocking Donovan McNabb out of the postseason, but I also like the Steelers so it cancels out.

-I've never seen so many people carrying stuff around in preparation for the game (ie food, televisions). It seems like every single person is stocking up for the game. Hell, my mother even came in with a lot of food the other day. I jokingly asked, 'What's the occasion?'. 'Superbowl Sunday', then I asked 'Who's playing?' She stammered then said 'New York and Cleveland?'.

Some thoughts about the game itself:

- Ken Whisenhunt/Tom Haley vs the Grandfather of the Zone Blitz, Dick Lebeau- This is a very interesting matchup. With the weapons that Arizona has on offense and the stable of talent that Pittsburgh has on defense, this is pretty much where the game will be decided. If I had a dollar for every time I heard 'If AZ protects Warner.......' Not to beat a dead horse but that will be the key to the game.

-Ben Roethlisberger- He shows up the biggest when the stakes are at its highest. Time will tell if he does it again. He has all but vowed to make amends for his poor game the last time Pittsburgh was here. We'll see if it happens. I do like the matchup of their pass offense against the Arizona secondary.

-Anquan Boldin- With all the suffocating Fitzgerald hype, as he has become the flavor of the month (hasn't he been this good for half a decade now?), Boldin is being overlooked by the pundits as having an impact on this game for the most part. I think with the two weeks to rest and get healthy, he will be able to put forth a good enough effort to give the Steelers problems in the secondary. If the Cardinals can protect Warner, Boldin will have a major impact. (Beating the dead horse I know).

-The Cards defense- After their showing against the Eagles, I am not really sold on this unit putting forth a good display in the Superbowl. They left WRs open the entire game against Philly, and for the most part McNabb missed them, or the receivers had to make some sort of acrobatic catch which minimized what they could do after the catch. While Pittsburgh is a run first team, if Arizona gives them those type of opportunities in the passing game, Roethlisberger will certainly take advantage.

- I personally think the Cardinals should spread the Steelers out, and attack them that way. That will give them more to worry about in the passing game, and then free up things like draw plays and screens. I think playing a traditional offense is playing right into their hands. I say you spread them out, and dare them to bring the kitchen sink.

As far as my prediction goes, I have been waffling all week. I don't really know who to pick. I've thought about several scenarios, and thought about comparisons to different teams but I'll stick with my initial thought on the game:

Pittsburgh 27
Arizona 20

Ultimately though, I just hope for a game that comes down to the ball being in Ben Roethlisberger's hands with a chance to win it. I love watching him play with the game on the line.