don't overlook the cardinals

[gosteeler]

I told some of my buddies before the playoffs started that the cardinals would be the toughest team for anybody to beat in the playoff's


if we can't pressure warner it might be a long night!!!!

parker will have to have a monster game also, keep the card's offensive off the field with a lot of successful runs

[Stevo]

Could be an easy win for Pittsburgh. Afterall, they are the worst team (9-7) to make the SB since the Steelers beat the Rams.

BUT... football is all about how teams match-up.

- Kurt Warner is the best at beating the one thing the Steelers do best: blitz.

- And he has the best recievers in the game.

- And he has the Steelers Super Bowl winning offensive coach.

- And they now are playing solid football, they are not a fluke (i.e. titans)

I think this will be a great game to watch but the Cardinals match up well with the Steelers.

[Steelers Since '75]

Don't forget that LeBeau didn't use that many blitzes against Flacco... instead he dropped a lot of guys into coverage and just rushed 4 and occasionally 5... the pressure was still outstanding with a 4-5 man rush. If our front 3 can continue to get a good push and we disguise the 4th or 5th guy blitzing then it is going to be a lot harder for Warner to find an open guy.

For some reason a lot of people are discounting Ike as a strong cover guy and I just don't get that... how many top receivers does he have to shut down before he gets some recognition... yes his hands are stone but his coverage skills are top notch. I'm not suggesting we leave Ike on an island with Fitz... we will need to use double coverage all day... Ike underneath and Clark over the top?... then McFadden on Boldin with a LB helping out... and Gay on Breaston??? Polamalu and Timmons watching out for TE's and screens out of the backfield. I feel we will need to run a nickel all day to cover their receivers... cover-2 anyone?

[Bigben87]

I remember watching the Dallas game earlier this season and worrying that Pittsburgh would be unable to cover T.O...and we all saw how that game went...(seeing T.O yelling at the sideline was the highlight of my weekend)...granted, Fitzgerald is a better reciever than T.O and Warner has a ton more poise under pressure than Romo...however, I expect our D to adjust accordingly. Hopefully, LeBeau will draw up some nice coverage schemes that'll limit the number of big plays. Combine that with our already solid run D...and the god like play of Polamalu, and Pitt should have its 6th ring.

[stlrtruck]

I think at this stage in the season it is very difficult to overlook the cardinals. Yes, they didn't have the best regular season but they are undefeated in the post-season.

Whiz has the benefit, as do all coaches, of having great leaders on the field to put things in perspective for the younger players. Some of those players are playing above their heads, just like some Steelers did on their run to the Super Bowl 3 years ago.

Really it's going to come down to who can force their will on the other team and executing to near perfection.

[drizze99]

I do not think for 1 minute that the Steelers will overlook the Cards. They would be foolish if they did. If we play to our potential in ALL 3 phases of the game, then we should win the game. We have to be sound in our special teams coverage, not have any turnovers and control the clock with our offense.

I have watched tape on games that the Cards played against better defenses. They lost a majority of them. Warner will still get his yards and usually one of the 3 receivers will end up with over 100 yards. Their special teams coverage seems a bit on the weaker side. Their D is not that spectacular at all. It has been playing better lately but its definitely not lights out. If Ben has time (which he should) he'll be able to pick them apart. Our running game should do fine but not spectacular. Willie should be close to 100 yds. Rogers-Cromartie is their best cover corner and Wilson is the X factor. I still son't think they have enough talent back their to cover Miller, Ward, Holmes & Washington. As long as Ben is spinning the ball and on target (which he has been so far in the post season), we should do just fine.

[Killer]

It's not about beating the Cardinals, it's about beating Warner - to a pulp.

There's no secret about the fact he is a statue and hates pressure even worse than Peyton. Let him make the short throws, and beat him to a pulp.

Hit him every single play - keep hitting him - and beat him to a pulp.

His receivers are worthless if he's on his back.

[revefsreleets]

The Arizona defense is super average, and nothing to fear at all. We'll score on them several times.

This game is ALL about Pittsburgh's defense, and I'd like to point out that, although stats don't tell all, they are, nonetheless, telling. We have the best defense statistically speaking in two decades. Arizona has a really good offense, but this is a GREAT defense. One of the best of all time. They make the difference and we win by at least 14 points, quite possibly more...

[OX1947]

This is Big Ben and Willie Parker's Super Bowl. Our defense will not need to blitz to get to warner, therefore, will be able to play cautiously. My hope is that the Steelers do what they did to San Diego and run the ball, they still tried to run against Baltimore which kept things honest, but I believe if Willie is running for 5 and 6 yards like he did against the Chargers, it will be a long evening for Arizona. because Ben will be able to play off that and make those key passes to Ward and Miller.

[CPanther95]

We can take them lightly, trash talk, and be overconfident in our team. As long as Dick LeBeau doesn't take them lightly, and he won't, we're good to go.

I see a Steeler Blowout.