Super Bowl XLIII Prediction

Tonight is the single most watched sports event - the Super Bowl!

I will be at a party tonight enjoying the game and the fun associated with it. Most of probably do not care about either team unless you were originally from those cities. Some will probably care about the local guys from high schools and colleges in FL.

So how do I see the game turning out?

Pittsburgh comes in with the tougher and in some ways more talented team on paper. The have a hard hitting defense that can stop most teams. Their linebackers really make the defense because they can rush the quarterback, stand up to the run, or play in space.

QB Ben Roethlisberger is a good leading their offense but he has not been special in the playoffs. He will not win a lot of games with his arm but he can cost them game with interceptions. The Pittsburgh running game is the power run behind a big offensive line.

Arizona is led by QB Kurt Warner and the dynamic duo at WR of Larry Fitzgerald (who is one of my favorite fantasy players) and Anquin Boldin. Edgerrin James has looked revitalized in the playoffs after a lackluster season.

Most people cannot name two starters on the Arizona defense. They have their own hard hitters in the secondary led by Adrian Wilson and Antrel Rolle. The secondary is also good at picking off opponents passes. If the front seven can slow the run and force Pittsburgh to throw, the secondary might come up with a big play or two.

So can Arizona win the game? Yes they can. They are on a roll in the playoffs beating Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Carolina.

The key is spreading out the Pittsburgh defense. This is what Indianapolis has done to beat Pittsburgh in recent. If Arizona watches those game films, uses that offensive philosophy, and keeps Warner's jersey clean, they can beat Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh offense is not designed to score a lot of points.

My prediction: Arizona 31 Pittsburgh 20

What do you think?