This is always the hardest installment of the year for me to write, not because I have to pick the Super Bowl Big Game Winner, but because it's my last one until August.  A lot of things could happen between now and then like the Bald Guy discontinuing this blog (not likely) or the fat dog sitting on me and turning me into a pancake (75-25).

By the way, as we end the year, I'm proud to say that this year, going into the final game, my record stands at  104-65, which is almost 62% accurate.  It's an improvement from 2007 when I went 113-79 and was accurate 59% of the time.  I guess I get to come back next year!  Whoo Hoo!

Okay, here are my thoughts on the Super Bowl Big Game:

This may be a closer game than you think.  Last year, the Giants, who were underdogs to the Patriots, had nothing to lose.  No one expected them to win.  I can tell you from experience, a dog with a chip on his shoulder is an angry dog.  No, Fat Dog, not a potato chip.  He really is an idiot.  Anyway, the Cardinals are in the same situation, even more so than the Giants last year.  No one and I mean no one expected them to be here let alone win their first round game.  Yet, here they are against a team that not only just about everyone thought would be in Tampa were a pre-season favorite to win the Super Bowl Big Game.

That gives the Cardinals a certain emotional edge, but does that give them an edge in the game?  Survey says: No.

As good as Kurt Warner has been, it's the Steelers defense that makes a difference in this one.  For one thing, they can stuff the run, which really doesn't affect Arizona since they have issues running the ball anyway.  Kurt, by the way, is not the most mobile of quarterbacks and he should have a healthy portion of Steelers defenders around and on top of him most of the afternoon. If you take the run away, the Cards weapon of choice becomes the screen pass, which was very effective against both Carolina and Philly.  But the Steelers are the fastest defense the Cardinals will see this year and they have playmakers, especially among their linebackers, who can shut that down pretty quickly.

Defensively, Arizona has played way over their heads during the playoffs and I think Big Ben has the tools to keep them on their heels.  Start with the running game where Willie Parker has had an extra week of rest.  Hines Ward may be a non-factor due to his knee, but the Steelers have other receivers, including Tight End Heath Miller which will make a big difference.  Couple that with Ben's ability to escape the clutches of on coming attackers and you have what could be a long game for the Cardinals defense.

For the Cardinals to win, they will have to literally take Big Ben out of the game and shut down the run.  Their offense will have to play totally flawless football not allowing the swarming Pittsburgh defense to take the ball away and connecting on several of those before mentioned screen passes. 

So, as usual, what it comes down to is that the underdog has to play a perfect game to beat the favorite.  I don't see it happening this year.

Final Score: Pittsburgh 27 Arizona 13

Thanks for reading all year and thanks to the Bald Guy for taking notes and typing it up.  See you in August!