Super Bowl XLIII Preview: Steelers-Cardinals

By JoeDuffy.net Administrator

The Pittsburgh Steelers will try to bring the Super Bowl back to the AFC, while the Arizona Cardinals are looking to cap a Cinderella playoff run with an upset.

Super Bowl XLIII kicks off Sunday, February 1 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay between Pittsburgh’s top-rated defense and Arizona’s fourth-ranked offense.

Oddsmakers currently have the Steelers listed as 7-point favorites versus the Cardinals, while the game’s total is sitting at 47.

The Steelers defeated Baltimore 23-14 as a 6-point favorite in the AFC Championship Game. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (35.5).

Ben Roethlisberger passed for 255 yards with a 65-yard touchdown strike to Santonio Holmes for Pittsburgh, while Troy Polamalu ran back an interception 40 yards for a touchdown.

The Cardinals upset Philadelphia 32-25 as a 3.5-point underdog in the NFC Championship Game. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (47).

Kurt Warner passed for 279 yards with four touchdowns for Arizona, and Larry Fitzgerald caught nine passes for 152 yards with three touchdowns in the win.

Regular season records:
Pittsburgh: 12-4 SU, 9-7 ATS
Arizona: 9-7 SU, 9-7 ATS

Pittsburgh most recently:
When playing in February are 1-0
When playing on grass are 7-3
After outgaining opponent are 7-3
When playing outside the division are 6-4

Arizona most recently:
When playing on grass are 6-4
After being outgained are 5-5
When playing outside the division are 5-5
After playing Philadelphia are 2-8

A few trends to consider:
Pittsburgh is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
Pittsburgh is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Pittsburgh’s last 5 games when playing Arizona
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Arizona’s last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Arizona’s last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh
Arizona is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Arizona is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games