What a game. Maybe it was because of the atmosphere I was watching it in but I considered all of Super Bowl XLIII entertaining, rather than just the fourth quarter which seems to be the prevailing belief on the Internet today. The Pittsburgh Steelers had numerous opportunities to put the game away but the Arizona Cardinals defense kept rising to the occasion. Besides the amazing final quarter there were multiple moments in this game that will forever hold a place in Super Bowl lore. Firstly, there was James Harrison's amazing 100-yard interception return for a TD that completely swung the momentum at the time, turning what could have been a Cardinal lead at halftime into a 10 point deficit. Harrison first made a great play by reading exactly where Warner would be throwing and then with the help of some downfield blocking, and terrible tackling he scored the touchdown.
The Steelers led 20-7 heading into the 4th quarter. They had numerous chances to make it a 3 score deficit for the Cardinals in the 3rd quarter but were unable to get a TD despite 3 personal foul penalties on the Cardinals defense on one drive. The 4th quarter is when the game reached legendary status. The Cardinals offense finally settled into a groove and Larry Fitzgerald finally made his presence felt. Up until the 4th quarter Fitzgerald had one catch and I even commented how it was funny that two weeks of hype had been spent on him and he had done nothing. He then proceeded to shut me up as he made a great TD catch, physically dominating his defender and getting the ball, making the score Steelers 20, Cardinals 14. Each team then punted but the Cardinals pinned the Steelers at their own 1 with their punt. RB Willie Parker was nearly stuffed in the end zone for a safety. On 3rd down QB Ben Roethlisberger hit WR Santonio Holmes for a first down but holding was called in the end zone on the Steelers which is a safety and made the score 20-16 Steelers. Fitzgerald then made another tremendous play, catching a short pass from QB Kurt Warner over the middle and turning it into a 64 yard touchdown pass, giving the Cardinals their first lead of the game 23-20. Roethlisberger and Holmes then decided the Steelers weren't going to lose. The Steelers started the drive with a penalty but on the next play Roethlisberger was flushed out of the pocket and hit Holmes with a strike to avoid disaster. It was one of many instances on the drive where Roethlisberger evaded pressure and kept a play alive. Holmes had a long reception to set up first and goal for Pittsburgh. Roethlisberger just missed Holmes in the end zone on first and goal, but they atoned for it on second and goal as Roethlisberger threw a beautiful pass and Holmes made an even more beautiful catch giving the Steelers the lead and ultimately the 27-23 victory. The Cardinals had one last chance but a Warner fumble was recovered by Pittsburgh and inexplicably not reviewed by the replay booth despite possibly appearing to be an incompletion.
The win gives the Steelers their sixth Super Bowl championship, vaulting them ahead of the 49ers and Cowboys. Roethlisberger now has won 2 Super Bowls in just 5 seasons. He may not be the flashiest QB but he made plays and was just as vital to that game winning drive as Holmes was. Holmes went from drug dealer to Super Bowl MVP, not a bad career ascension.
With football officially over for the next six months it is time to focus on my other favorite sport, college basketball. Beginning tomorrow I will be posting game by game previews for both of my favorite teams, George Mason and North Carolina. Also, every Friday will be a new feature called "The Alley-Oop" where I will predict and preview the Top 25 action for that weekend's games. Hope you guys enjoy the changes.
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