I love the underdog story of the CARDS,but lets look at the facts considering the matchup problems that are overwhelmingly in favor of the Steelers.Lets face it.The new found running game has been the backbone of Arizona's success.The Steelers will shut that down which will make the Cards one dimentional and with Palamalou running around out there,their passing game will just not be enough.Pitt will pend their ears back and really fluster Warner.I hate to say it because I love the Arizona story.Fitzgerarld will be dteamed and get really frustrated.I see various turnovers by the Cards be it int's or fumbles by Warner due to the pressure that he will endure.In saying all of this,the Steelers-7 is a real bargain in my opinion.Good luck to the Cards,but it just won't be enough to keep this game within the 7 points.Pittsburgh wins this by ddigits!GL on whatever yall decide but it's the Steelers for me!The physicallity of the game will takes its toll on the Cards especially in the 2nd half.Huge play for me here!
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I like the steelers for all the above reasons, i will play steelers heavy with some insurance on fitzgerald as mvp because i honestly believe they cannot win this game without fitz having a cracker.
will have my eyes on a few props as well.
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Basically the same teams played in '07 and the cards won 21-14. I don't see it being too much different especially since the cards have made the biggest improvement.Comment -
Well you talked about one team having matchup problems but not the other.
First off, Arizona will not run the ball very well, which is a given. However, if Pittsburgh cannot get pressure on Warner, the Cardinals will be able to pass the ball on their secondary. People seem to overlook that the Cards have 2 great wide recievers and another very good wide reciever. All 3 went over 1000 yards this year. Double teaming Fitzgerald will just cause matchup problems all over the field for Pittsburgh. This is why so many teams cannot double team Fitzgerald and he can go off. The key for Pitts defense is pressure. If they can get to Warner early and often, they will cause havoc. If Arizona's line holds up and gives Warner time, the Cardinals will have success throwing the ball all day.
Arizona's defense also has a lot of matchup problems for Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh is a team that has not proven to run the ball very well at all this year and is facing an Arizona team who can be very very good at stopping the run. Arizona also runs a lot of stunts and misdirection to confuse and get to the QB. They are a very good and efficient blitzing team. Their secondary is also very underrated and should have pretty good success against Pittsburgh's wide recievers. Arizona will get to Big Ben in this game. There is no doubt in my mind with Pitts line being so poor. The question is can they get him to the ground or force him to throw some bad balls. Big Ben likes to gamble and will float up some dangerous passes when he has pressure on him. Arizona needs to take advantage of these. Baltimore had some chances but couldn't make the plays.
This really looks to be a defensive battle in my opinion. I like Arizona +7 and Under for the game.Comment -
Lean towards points
Getting to Warner is no sure thing. The Eagles couldn't do it and they're the best at pressuring a QB. And double covering Fitzgerald leaves Boldin and Breaston all alone. Shutting down Baltimore is not very impressive. Ravens offense did nothing in the playoffs. Steelers d is statistically good because they got to play Bal, Cle, and Cin 2x each. Cardinals will present much more difficult task. And on top of all that, the Steelers offense is average at best. They seem to do well in crunch time but not capable of putting decent teams away. Don't love the play but Steelers probably pull this out late with close win so I'm taking the touchdown.Comment -
I am taking Arizona too, they have a better offense and can score, Pitt has a great defense, but so did Philly, and Carolina defense wasnt bad either and they both lostComment -
Good to see you back guru...haven't done any capping on this one yet, but the line is larger than I thought it would be...Do you know Hines Ward's status? Will he be 100%? You said this is a huge play for you. So you're taking Pitt -7 then? I was looking at the under for this game. I have a slight lean there.Comment -
Hey Guru-t,
Nice to see you again!
Sorry to say I'm on the other side. I feel it will be a close game but I do believe that AZ will get the best of Pitt on their passing.
How ever I do think it will be low scoring, and I took the prop on the 2nd half for under 28 1/2 heavy.
Good luck my friend!!Comment -
I like Pitt -7 in this game. The only problem I have with the pick is pretty simple & it has nothing to do with matchups, coaching, or injuries.
It the NFL & the officials! Guess the One thing the NFL does not want..A Blowout! Its all about money..especially gamblers like ourselves, we know money makes the world go round.
I'm sure the officials understand that they need to keep this game close..so all 20 billion people watching this game..will watch till the last 2 minutes. They can kill any drive with some BS holding call or help a team out with pass interference..etc etc etc. Plus..everyone likes a cinderella. see Giants last yr.
Thats why I think the +7 pts might be the way to go.Comment -
I'd be on AZ +7....but I pulled my money awhile ago, so as to not do anything stupid.
*edit*
Nevermind...I have a $10 FP on one of my accounts......
so I took AZ +6.5.
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