Arizona Cardinals Super Bowl Predictions

Written January 22, 2009 by Jason Lowry

Cardinals Football

What a magical run it has been for the Arizona Cardinals, as hardly anyone besides Cardinals fans thought this team had any chance of making it to the Super Bowl for the first time, but in two weeks thats exactly where this team will be, when they take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Cardinals got into the playoffs by going 9-7 in the regular season and taking home the NFC West. Because the Cardinals won their division they were able to host a first round matchup against the Atlanta Falcons where they came away with a 30-24 win. The Cardinals season was considered to be finished the following week when they traveled to Carolina to take on the Panthers, but instead they stunned the Panthers with a 33-13 stomping. Heading into the NFC Championship game the Cardinals were again underdogs playing in front of their home fans, but once again they came out on top, as they shocked the Eagles 32-25. For those of you looking to do a little NFL betting on the Super Bowl, the oddsmakers have the Cardinals 7 point underdogs against the Steelers at BetUS.com.

Cardinals Offense:
Normally its all about the defense when it comes to making great runs through the playoffs, but Kurt Warner and company are ripping apart some of the best defenses in the league this season, and now they have to take on the best defense in the league in the Steelers. A big reason for the Cardinals offensive success this postseason is the continued emergence of the running game, as Edgerrin James and Time Hightower have combined to run for 335 yards and 2 scores, but the real story of this offense has been the connection between Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald, as the two have hooked up 23 times for 419 yards and 5 touchdowns. Fellow star receiver Anquan Boldin and offensive coordinator Todd Haley got in a heated argument during the game against the Eagles, but it looks as though that will not be a factor in the Super Bowl, and what really makes this team scary is Boldin should be pretty much 100% for the first time this postseason when they take on the Steelers. Now this unit wouldn’t be anywhere near this good if it wasn’t for the play of Warner under center, as he has completed 66% of his passes for 770 yards and 8 touchdowns to just 2 interceptions with an outstanding 112.1 quarterback rating in their 3 playoff games.

Cardinals Defense:
What a surprise the defense has been this postseason, as they have shocked everyone with the big plays they are making on this side of the football. In 3 playoff games the Cardinals have racked up 4 fumbles and 8 interceptions, including 5 against Jake Delhomme in the rout of the Panthers. The Cardinals are also getting a ton of pressure on opposing quarterbacks, as they have racked up 7 sacks. Stopping the Steelers won’t be easy as they will look to pound the football, but if this unit can once again find a way to make the big plays and win the turnover battle, you have to like their shot at pulling this one out. There has been outstanding play all over the field on this side of the football, but two guys that are really making a difference are strong safety Adrian Wilson and rookie corner Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

Lowry’s Thoughts on the Cardinals Chances:
This Cardinals team has been the underdog all postseason, and it fits that they will once again be in that same role in the Super Bowl. They are taking on a really good Steelers team, but with the way the offense is clicking it looks as though the Cardinals will be in this one from start to finish. I am not so sure that a Cardinals win is in the makings, but I do think that they will cover the spread against the Steelers. For those that think the Cardinals are going to walk away with the victory, bet Arizona Cardinals +220 at BetUS.com.

Check out what other experts are saying in their NFL Super Bowl Picks and make sure you get the best NFL Super Bowl Odds at Betfirms.

If you liked this article, you may also be interested in:

No comments yet, but your thoughts are welcome!

Comments

Got something to say?