10* Cardinals/Steelers Super Bowl SIDE OF THE DECADE on Arizona +7
Reasons why Arizona covers the spread Sunday:
1.) First of all, I want to state that this side in Super Bowl XLIII is showing the best value of any side I have seen this decade! Make sure you really load up on the Arizona Cardinals catching a touchdown because this is the safest bet I’ve seen in 10 years in the Super Bowl.
2.) Arizona’s coaching staff knows Pittsburgh’s system, their strengths and their weaknesses. This is a huge advantage for the Cardinals. Ken Whisenhunt and his Cardinals beat the Steelers last season 21-14 at home despite being 5.5-point underdogs. Although that game was over a year ago, the Steelers really haven’t changed much since that time. Line coach Russ Grimm is also a former Steeler coach, and he’s got his players extra motivated, focused and prepared to beat the Steelers up front Sunday.
3.) Arizona’s passing game is built to beat the Steelers’ 3-4 defense. Pittsburgh’s philosophy on defense is built to stop running teams, but it struggles to defend the pass when not getting pressure on the quarterback. QB Kurt Warner has proven he can beat the blitz just as he did against Philly in the NFC Championship game by burning their blitzing defense for 4 Touchdown Passes. The Eagles had the 3rd-ranked defense in the league, and although Pittsburgh’s is a little tougher, Warner will be able to make plays with quick passes to his trio of talented receivers.
4.) System Play. We’ll Play Against – Favorites of 3.5 to 10 points (PITTSBURGH) – after a game where they forced 3 or more turnovers against opponent after 2 consecutive games with a turnover margin of +1 or better. This is a 104-59 ATS System hitting 63.8% since 1983. The Steelers have been winning games by forcing turnovers, but the Cardinals won’t be making the same mistakes that Philip Rivers and Joe Flacco did in the previous two rounds. The Cardinals have only turned the ball over 3 times in 3 playoff games, while forcing 12 turnovers. This Arizona defense is underrated, and they can make plays just like Pittsburgh. QB Ben Roethlisberger won’t be able to get away with the mistakes he has been getting away with all season. Roethlisberger has thrown 19 TD’s to 15 INT’s on the season. Warner has thrown 38 TD’s to 16 INT’s. Everyone is expecting the Steelers’ defense to win the turnover battle, but that’s not going to happen with Kurt Warner running the show. The Cardinals realize that if they don’t win the Super Bowl, then their efforts to this point won’t matter. Arizona finishes off a tremendous run to end the season, just like the Giants did last year against all odds. Bet the Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII as our strongest play this Decade in the Big Game.