My quick thoughts post from earlier today was a mix of wrong and mostly right.  The Steelers didn’t run the ball as well as I thought as the Cardinals got good penetration in the second half in particular (but the Cardinals didn’t even try to run really).  I also think that Willie Parker is simply not a power back who can run between the tackles.  When they needed power running they didn’t have it.

As I feared Larry Fitzgerald made a number of big plays and the screen plays and dump offs to the running backs hurt the Steelers. At times the defense pressured Warner but he also had time in the fourth quarter to move the ball down the field.

For most of the game Ben had time to throw but in the red zone they couldn’t punch it in, but then it looked to me like the offensive line just wore out in the fourth quarter.  The Cardinals D were running through the Steelers at that point.  Let’s face it, that has to be one of the least talented O lines to win a Super Bowl.

Luckily the punt game didn’t come back to haunt them.

But when the game was on the line Ben Roethlisberger did make the clutch plays.  Santonio Holmes came up huge and like so many times this season the Steelers won a game that wasn’t all that pretty at times.

The game seemed to swing on big plays.  Harrison’s epic interception return of course.  But Boldin had a 45 yard catch that set up the Cards first TD (a great catch by the TD after Warner stumbled).  And Fitzgerlad had the big 64-yarder to take the lead.  Add in the Steelers having to settle for field goals, and the crtical saftey, and the Steelers couldn’t put the game away.

I obviously would have prefered the Steelers control the game and hold off the furious comeback, rather than being forced to stage their own, but in the end my prediction (30-23) wasn’t all that far off from the final 27-23.

Plus, I am happy that Ben could engineer that drive and play a crucial part in winning the game.  After the SB a couple years back I know he must feel good knowing that when the game was on the line he didn’t let his team down.

And with that offensive line and with the toughest schedule in football I think winning a Super Bowl is an incredible achievement.  Go Steelers!

P.s. Please draft an offensive lineman or two.  Thanks.

• The Steelers will run the ball and the Cardinals won’t.  Willie Parker will get outside and rip off some big runs, IMO.  I don’t think the Cardinals will be able to run and I am not sure they will try that much.
• The Steelers will get to Kurt Warner.  I know, I know Warner has a quick release and reads the blitz well.  But he can also get out of sync and struggle.  I think the Steelers will get pressure and hit Warner and thus get the Cardinals out of rhythm.  I think the Steelers might give up some plays and yardage, but I think they keep the Cardinal offense frum putting up a lot of points.
• I don’t think the Cardinals pass rush will put the kind of pressure on Ben Roethlisberger than gives the Steelers trouble.  They simply aren’t like the Titans and Ravens in the way they bring the pass rush.  If Ben has time like he did against San Diego he will have a nice day and the Steelers will move the ball.  I also think Nate Washington or Santonio Holmes will get a big play because Ben makes something happen.
• I think the Cardinals play a whole lot better at home.  The game in Carolina doesn’t count since Jake Dellhome played one of the worst big games in the history of professional sports.  If the Steelers turn the ball over five times of course they lose.  I don’t see Ben approaching that kind of suckitude – I just don’t.  The Steelers have been playing big games all year and Ben really seems to have figured out how not to lose games for his team down the stretch.

Things that worry me:

• Larry Fitzgerald.  Well, duh.  I am not worried about big plays in terms of yardage but points.  If the Steelers can keep the Cards to field goals that is a big win.  If Fitzgerald gets free for a touchdown early it is a great equalizer.  The Steelers have a great Red Zone offense so not allowing the big touchdown play is important.
• Punting.  The Steelers punting is awful.  I just want Mitch Berger not to shank one in a critical situation.  The Steelers allowed the Ravens to hang around thanks to critical penalties and bad punts.  You can’t give an offense like the Cardinals that kinds of advantage.
• Screens.  The Steelers are vulnerable to running back screens and the Cardinals are good at them.  This couled be another area for big plays.

I think if Fast Willie runs well and Ben plays smart the Steelers defense will do the job and the Cardinals won’t be able to put up the points neccesaary to win.  I see the Steelers giving up some yardage but controling the game and winning 30-23.

To be honest, if you had told me that the Steelers would make the Super Bowl with this offensive line and their brutal schedule I am not sure I would not have believed you.  Of course, I am not sure how many people predicted that the defense would be this good.

Last night’s game was a typical Steelers Ravens affair: brutal hitting and close fought with the team that made the big plays winning the game.  Troy Palamolu was huge as you would expect.  And I thought Ben played very well.  He didn’t try to do too much and he made plays.  He just looks comfortable leading this team.  Even when the line breaks down he can buy time and make plays.  That veteran leadership and athleticism is a great asset.

A few thoughts below.

- As noted above, the Steelers won 12 games facing one of the toughest schedule in recent memory.  They faced both teams who ended up as #1 seeds in the AFC and NFC (Titans and Giants) plus 4 other playoff teams (Eagles, Colts, Chargers, Ravens).  Only the Texans, Bengals, and Browns were what you would call “easy” games.  Think of how the Steelers second half of the season went: Giants, at Redskins, Colts, Chargers, Bengals at Patriots, Cowboys, at Ravens, at Titans, Browns.  The Steelers went 7-3 in that stretch.

- I think this team has good chemistry and knows how to win.  Late in the game I think Ben and company know how to make the plays.  That is great for the team’s, and the fans, confidence.

- When Ben is healthy and doesn’t turn the ball over the Steelers are just real hard to beat.  The offense can usually make one or two big plays and the defense just doesn’t allow a lot of points.  So they are in every single game.  And as Polamalu showed last night, they often change the game by making big plays.

- Santonio Holmes has really turned into a playmaker.  He has come up big in the second half of the season and had a huge touchdown in both playoff games.  He is a real threat if he gets the ball with room to run.

- Willie Parker is healthy but he is still not the kind of bruising runner that will allow the Steelers to grind out a win late in the game.  If he has space and can get outside he is capable of big plays.  And against less talented defenses he can put up good yardage.  But against a real physical front seven I am just not sure he can get the job done in the way Steelers fans are used to.

- If Hines Ward is not healthy that is a big problem.  He is the clutch WR and has a big impact on the kind of coverage teams play the Steelers with.  It was clear that the Ravens had an easier time once Ward was out last night.  The two week time off should help Ward thank goodness.

- When it comes to the Cardinals the big focus is on Fitzgerald and for good reason.  The man is nearly unstoppable.  And the Steelers can be vulnerable to the big play and the big physical receiver.

- But I think the Steelers defense will be a real test of Kurt Warner’s new found confidence.  I am not sure he has faced a defense quite as physical and intimidating as the Steelers.

- I also think Arizona just plays at a higher level when they are at home.  The Super Bowl is going to have a very different feel than a home game for the Cardinals.  The Steelers fans travel in droves and the Steelers play well on the road in these type of games.

- I think the key is going to be ball control and big plays.  They have to force Warner to make mistakes while avoiding giving up easy points. If the Steelers don’t turn the ball over and take advantage of the opportunities they get IMO they win.  If they make mental errors, turn the ball over, or give up big plays then Arizona has the offensive firepower to make the Steelers pay.

- Last night a few critical errors allowed the Ravens to be in the ball game when the Steelers had a chance to put it away early.  They simply can’t give Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald that chance.

I can’t beleive the Steelers are going for Super Bowl win number six.  To have the chance to have the most SB wins in history is awesome.  I only wish the game was this weekend instead of in two weeks.