The oldest adage in sports is that defense wins championships. Well, the Pittsburgh Steelers have defense. By the transitive property, the answer is clear: The Steelers are going to win Super Bowl XLIII.
Let's take a brief look at the numbers. Pittsburgh has given up an average of 237.2 yards of offense per game, which ranks it first in the league. 156.9 of those yards came through the air, which is also first in the league. It has only allowed a total of 223 points all season -- or a little less than 14 points per game -- which, you guessed it, is first in the league. The 80.3 rushing yards per game allowed by the Steelers is a dismal -- by their standards -- second in the league.
The anchor of Pittsburgh's defensive stronghold is Troy Polamalu, also known by his nickname, "the Samoan Headhunter." Carson Palmer's former roommate at USC is notorious for his hard-hitting, ruthless defensive play as well as for his outrageous, flowing hair.
His perfect mix of speed, anticipation skills and defensive instinct allows him to get involved in almost every play. Although Polamalu competes at safety, a position which often leaves a player away from the action, he is fourth on the team in tackles with 73, a testament to his constant desire to be involved in every play. He has also posted seven interceptions on the season. Needless to say, the Arizona Cardinals' infamous air attack might be stopped just short of the top thanks to Polamalu and Danny Clark in the backfield.
That is, assuming Kurt Warner will even have enough time to throw the ball downfield. It is to the Arizona quarterback's and his offensive line's great misfortune that the Steel Curtain has been resurrected this season. Defensive MVP James Harrison is a force with which the Cardinals have yet to contend this season. He and fellow linebacker James Farrior combined are a 485-pound dual-engine steam train that annihilates anything in its path.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Steelers aren't too shabby either. They are led by Ben Roethlisberger, who is big with a strong arm and plays grittily but consistently. He's not what the Cardinals need to be worried about, however. Rather, they should be concerned with the two deep threats Roethlisberger will be heaving bombs to: Santonio Holmes, the young guy who makes big plays, and of course, Hines Ward.
The fact that the Steelers beat the Baltimore Ravens' acclaimed defense in the AFC Championship Game without Ward on the field for much of the contest is not a good sign for Arizona. Ward leads the Steelers in receptions (81), yards (1,043), and yards per game (65.2). If it's still not clear that Ward is Roethlisberger's go-to guy, one should also know that Ward notched 55 first downs this season.
And last, but most certainly not least, the Steelers have a running back named Willie Parker. While Parker is far from being one of the top rushers in the league -- ranked 26th in the league in rushing yards with 791 (granted, in only 11 games) and 71.9 yards per game, all during the regular season -- the Cardinals' defense, which is arguably equally mediocre, might still have trouble keeping Parker in check.
In terms of familiarity with the big game, the scale of experience tips dramatically toward Pittsburgh, the Super Bowl XL champions of three years ago. The majority of the current Steeler team remains from that squad, and it knows how to win on football's biggest stage.
The Steelers have Arizona beat if their defense limits the Cardinals to fewer than two touchdowns, as they have many teams this season. The Steelers' defense can take immense pressure off of their adequate offense and can force Arizona into reverting to drastic measures to make big plays and score points, which could be a death sentence.
However, if Pittsburgh gives Arizona's potent offense -- led by the wide receiving duo of Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin -- any leeway, the game will get interesting.
Despite all the numbers and games leading up to Sunday's matchup, no one knows for sure what the outcome will be. But what we do know for sure is that a Pittsburgh victory would put the Steelers in the running for the greatest franchise in NFL history with a record sixth Super Bowl title, moving them one ahead of Dallas and San Francisco, who have five apiece.
Given the wealth of Super Bowl hardware and experience already in Pittsburgh's possession, it's hard to imagine the rookie Cardinals, playing for their first NFL championship ever, doing much to reverse the Steelers' winning ways.
