Well, that’s why they play the game. Prior to game time, the consensus seemed to be that the Pittsburgh Steelers would probably win by a margin of 7 to 10 points, that the Steelers D would be just too good for the Cardinals to overcome. Didn’t turn out that way.
It all came down to a final two-minute drill by the Steelers, ending with Big Ben completing a touchdown pass in the right corner of the end zone to Santonio Holmes with 35 second left in the game. The Cardinals could not score again, and the Steelers won their record sixth Lombardi trophy by defeating the Cardinals 27 to 23.
Things started out very well. For the first quarter, this looked like it might turn into a blowout. The Steelers controlled the ball during most of the first quarter. But toward the end of the first half, the Cardinals were threatening to score a second touchdown. On a Kurt Warner pass into the end zone, James Harrison, defensive player of the year, intercepted the pass and ran it back for a hundred yards, a new Super Bowl record, huffing and puffing at the end and happy to have made it to the end zone. With the end of the first half, the Steelers were up by ten points 17 to 7.
There was only one score made in the third quarter-a field goal by Pittsburghs’ Jeff Reed. So with the final quarter about to start, it looked like Pittsburgh was in control of the game, leading Arizona by 13 points. But in the fourth quarter, the Steelers D faultered. They allowed the Cardinals to score two touchdown and a safety within five minutes, lettting the Cardinals to take their first lead of the game, 23 to 17. With only a little under three minutes left, it seemed that the Steelers had blown a solid lead in the fourth quarter. The Steelers’ offense was also of little help, going four and out, and not taking much time off the clock. So now the Steelers would have to score a touchdown to win or kick a field goal to tie. But this time, Big Ben and WR Santonio Holmes got busy. They drove down the field to the six-year line. With only 35 seconds left, Roethlisberger connected with Holmes in the right corner of the end zone for a just in bounds touchdown. The extra point made it 27 to 23, Steelers. The Cardinals still had time for a few pass plays and a final Hail Mary, if necessary. But the Steelers D again came to life, and recovered a fumble by Cardinals’ QB Kurt Warner. Time ran out and the Steelers won a record sixth Lombardi trophy, bearting the Cardinals 27 to 23.
The fourth quarter was disappointing. Not even the top-rated defense in the NFL can stop a combination like Warner-Fitzgerald, but allowing them to score two touchdowns within five minutes should not happen. The offense was also poor for most of the quarter. It could not pick up first downs, and at the end of the third, it could not score on first and goal in two attempts. So, as was the case in the regular season, the Steelers offense just managed, but was not outstanding. I thought Willie Parker would have had more success against the Cardnals’ defense, but he ran for only 54 yards on 19 carries. Hoepfully Willie will be back in better form next season.
For now though, all fans of the black and gold will be happy to celebrate another Super Bowl win, and a special one at that. Pittsburgh is now the only team to have won six Super Bowls. As Coach Mike Tomlin said, it wasn’t pretty or perfect, but in the end it was enough. Congratulations Steelers on winning Super Bowl XLIII.
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