The Arizona Cardinals have surprised a lot of people including me this post-season. The Cardinals have the best group of pass-catchers in the NFL and Larry Fitzgerald has been unstoppable this post-season.
In fact, Fitzgerald has 100+ yards and a score in all 3 playoff games this year. He's racked 419 yards on 23 receptions and hit paydirt 5 times.
Can the one-dimensional Cards continue their hot streak?
Here are the 3 keys to the game for the Steelers according to the Sporting News:
Despite the Cardinals looking like a completely different team in January than they did in December, I'd put my faith in a top-notch defense over offense any day. The Cardinals' offense was definitely in a groove, but having a bye disrupts an offense more than a defense.1. Put the fritz on Fitz. That will be the defense's No. 1 priority -- stopping Larry Fitzgerald --- something they have been able to do with many of the league's top receivers this season. The Steelers have used cornerback Ike Taylor to shadow top receivers because Taylor is tall, fast and athletic. But they also rotate their coverages to use a safety to prevent deep passes.
2. Confuse Warner. It's unlikely the Steelers will use heavy blitz pressure on Warner -- at least, not early -- because of his quick drops and releases. Instead, they will give him a variety of looks, especially with strong safety Troy Polamalu, to get him to force throws into coverage.
3. Put Ben at work. The Steelers success will depend on Roethlisberger, especially if the team has problems running the ball against the Cardinals. He has been making all the big plays and all the big throws in the postseason and has been very comfortable on the big stage.
The Steelers are favored by a TD, but I think the game will be close in the first half. And then the Steelers take control in the second.
Final score prediction: Steelers 31, Cardinals 17
