Super Bowl XLIII Post Game Analysis - Steelers Win Record 6th Super Bowl

Super Bowl XLIII Post Game Analysis. This year's Super Bowl was one of the most exciting in recent memory! From the first possession of the Steeler's when Ben Roethlisberger's touchdown was called back on review to result in a Steeler's field goal to James Harrison's Super Bowl, record setting 100 yard interception to close out the first half, this year's Big Game was not lacking for excitement! Although the Steeler's entered the game as seven-point favorites, my previous prediction had them winning by four, which we were fortunate enough to hit bang on, winning the game 27-23 over the Arizona Cardinals.

Pittsburgh Steelers Keys to Victory in Super Bowl XLIII

Through the first three quarters of the game, we all thought the Steelers had Super Bowl XLIII wrapped up! Ben Ben Roethlisberger was on fire and would eventually end up 21/30 for 256 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT. Then, the Cardinals put together 16 unanswered points, and Big Ben responded by leading his team on the drive that would win the game. Roethlisberger took the Steelers 78 yards in eight plays finished with a crazy-catch by Holmes in the end-zone with multiple Cardinals linebackers in between him and the ball. The key to the Steelers victory in the Super Bowl mimicked their success throughout the playoffs- Great defense coupled with a 'good enough' offensive attack the Roethlisberger and company. Pittsburgh only gained 58 yards total rushing offense in the game led by back Willie Parker who gained 53 of the 58 total. Although, Arizona Cardinal quarterback, Kurt Warner would pass for 377 yards against the Steelers, his one pick that Harrison ran back for 100 yards for a touchdown to close out the first half turned out to be the game breaker. Super Bowl XLIII was the first post season game the Cardinals were held to less than 32 points in 2009.

Arizona Cardinals Cover the Spread but Fail to Win Super Bowl XLIII

The Arizona Cardinals came close to winning their first NFL Championship since 1948 and first-ever Super Bowl, but failed to contain the Pittsburgh offense to win the game. It took over three quarters for Kurt Warner to get the Cards offense really moving against the number one defense in the NFL. Although the Cards gained 377 yards in the air from Warner with three TD's and 1 INT, their rushing attack was held to only 33 yards against the Steelers after averaging over 110 yards per game in the playoffs. Not too bad of a performance for playing Pittsburgh, but the dearth of a running attack was the difference in the ballgame in the first three quarters of the matchup. Edgerrin James led what was there of the Cards rushing game gaining 33 yards on nine carries, but that was not enough.

Super Bowl XLIII Summary

The 2009 Super Bowl was one of the most exciting in recent memory! You just can't beat the 4^th quarter of the game! 16 unanswered points by Kurt Warner and the Cardinals, a Pittsburgh safety, then Ben Roethlisberger's 2 minute drill culminating with Santonio Holmes' acrobatic touchdown catch! Ultimately the difference in the game was the Pittsburgh defense that kept Warner shut down mostly until the fourth quarter and the inability of the Cardinals to get their running game established!