Corey Davis

Richmond County Daily Journal

Though it still may be odd to soak in, but the Arizona Cardinals will be on the field against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. today for Super Bowl XLIII.

If there was ever a Super Bowl where two teams had vastly different histories, then this contest certainly fits the bill. The Steelers are arguably the most storied franchise in the NFL. The Steelers will be gunning for their sixth Super Bowl victory.

On the other hand, the Cardinals, for most of their existence, have been one of the worst franchises in sports. The Cardinals have the second-longest championship drought in sports.

Though Arizona’s history pales in comparison to the Steelers, the one thing that Cardinals may have more than their more decorated opponent is momentum.

Momentum is what allowed the Giants to win three road games last season, and pull off maybe the greatest upset in Super Bowl history by knocking off the then undefeated New England Patriots.

Arizona’s much-maligned defense suddenly has the ability to produce big plays, which Carolina Panthers’ fans know all about and can put pressure on the quarterback.

The Cardinals’ pass rush got into the face of Donovan McNabb, and will do the same against Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Pittsburgh is solid at most positions, but the Steelers have shaky offensive line, which has given up plenty of sacks this season.

We all know about Pittsburgh’s Pro Bowl hybrid strong safety Troy Polamalu, but across the field, the Cardinals’ Adrian Wilson is near the top at the position as well. Wilson is a ferocious run stuffer and blitzer.

Ben Roethlisberger is good at buying time in the pocket, but is prone to holding onto the ball too long. A Wilson blind side hit could cause a huge turnover.

Making the Steelers one dimensional should work in the Cardinals’ favor, especially since Pittsburgh’s passing game might not be at full strength with Hines Ward’s right knee injury keeping him from being 100 percent.

There might not be much to Big Ben’s slight back injury, but people weren’t giving much concerned to Tom Brady’s sprained ankle in last year’s Super Bowl and it seemed to affect him in trying to avoid the Giants’ fierce pass rush last year.

Arizona must stymie Willie Parker from giving the Steelers a rushing attack. The Cardinals’ improved run defense in the playoffs suggests it’s capable of doing exactly that.

Arizona held Atlanta’s Michael Turner to 42 yards, kept the Panthers from establishing their two-headed attack and allowed only 45 yards on 12 carries to Philadelphia’s Brian Westbrook. The same Westbrook, who ran over the Cards on Thanksgiving night for 110 yards and four touchdowns.

The Cardinals’ run game has come alive in the postseason, which has given the offense some balance. The ground game desperately needs to produce against the second coming of the Steel Curtain defense.

Arizona needs a revitalized and more involved Edgerrin James, Tim Hightower or J.J. Arrington to keep Pittsburgh’s attacking 3-4 defense honest, and the Cardinals must attempt to run the ball even if they only gain two or three yards a carry.

If the underdog Cardinals are going to win, they must produce big plays out of their explosive passing attack.

The Cardinals’ biggest advantage is at the receiver position, where they may have the best tandem in the game. All-Pro Larry Fitzgerald with his combination of size, strength, jumping ability, deceptive speed and great hands is becoming the best wide out in the game.

Anquan Boldin on the other side is also a Pro Bowler. Boldin has been slowed in the playoffs by a strained hamstring, and came under fire for his sideline melt down with offensive coordinator Todd Haley.

Look for Boldin to play with a chip on his shoulder, but No. 3 receiver Steve Breaston is the player to keep an eye on with the Steelers secondary focusing their attention on Fitzgerald and Boldin.

Breaston led Arizona in receiving yards in five games this season. And the Cards’ third receiving option topped 1,000 receiving yards on 77 catches. He should get the one-on-one coverage in the slot position and the unknown Cardinal could end up being the game’s MVP.

Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt knowledge of Pittsburgh’s philosophy can’t be ignored. Whisenhunt knows Pittsburgh’s great defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau schemes since he used to practice against them when he served as Pittsburgh’s offensive coordinator before taking the head coaching position with Arizona. He helped develop Roethlisberger and knows his tendencies as well.

Even though last year’s 21-14 win by Arizona may not be significant, the Cardinals did sack Roethlisberger four times.

Tampa Bay’s 48-21 rout of Oakland in Super Bowl XXXVII was when Jon Gruden was matched up against his old team. The Tampa Bay players admitted that Gruden had them prepared for what the Raiders were going to do.

When the Tampa Bay Rays made it to the World Series, it shows anything can happen in the world of sports. Just as unbelievable is the Cardinals in the Super Bowl. What makes pro football so popular and exciting is on any given Sunday any team can win.

The Steelers will have their legion of fans at the game with many of them waving their trademark Terrible Towels, but the Cards will have them using them to wipe their faces after a 27-20 upset win.