Introducing this series: In the days leading up to the big game, Super Bowl XLIII, The Sports Union asked Kevin Patra and J.David to once again make their picks for the final game of the NFL season; but since it is the big one, they have to do it a little grander.  All week our editors will battle it out via email and allow you access to their conversation, we like to call it the Palin-effect.  Picking the Super Bowl is worth 2 points and it all hinges on this game, with Patra going 7-3 through the playoffs and J.David only one game behind at 6-4.  Monday – Coaching and Special Teams, Tuesday – Defense, Wednesday – Offense, and Thursday – The Whole Shebang!  Also check back on Saturday for a special GameDay meal/appetizer and instructions on how not to celebrate the Super Bowl.

Kevin Patra’s Predictions for the Super Bowl

Let the Terrible Towels swirl in the thick Tampa breeze!

The Arizona Cardinals are a great story.  A franchise whose last championship victory was 20 years before its most famous fan–John S. McCain–was in a prison camp.  A team that never beat anybody–the other team just lost, or ran out of time on the clock.  Now they are in the Super Bowl.  They are led by a quarterback that most men going through mid-life crises wish to be, and a back-up quarterback chicks want in their hot tub. Their leading receiver is a class act both on and off the field, whose father is in a great profession.  The coach is tough and the defense has stepped up in the playoffs when everyone questioned them.

It is a great feel-good story, but to steal a line from myself:  9 out of 10 times, Goliath kicks the crap out of David.

Plus the bandwagon is full and there is no room for me.

So I will hitch my wagon to a defense that has proven to be the most stalwart.  I’ll follow Polamalu, and Harrison to the Promised Land.

I’ll hype the less talked about LaMarr Woodley:  If you are just a casual football fan, do not be surprised when you hear his name over and over and over and over on Sunday. He’s a monster linebacker with speed and size to fill the hole, cover running backs and blitz quarterback.  He is to the 3-4 defense what Hendrix was to the guitar…born to play it. [this previous paragraph is dedicated to Sam, because she claims I hate on Michigan too much]

Ben Roethlisberger is the steady game-managing quarterback who always seems to sidestep the pressure just when you think he’s going to be sacked.  He makes plays that shouldn’t be made–see:touchdown, Holmes, AFC Championship–and never ever beats his team.  Did he have a bad game in Super Bowl XL?  Yes, but that game was about Jerome Bettis (in case you didn’t know, Jerome Bettis was from Detroit).

Willie Parker, besides being fast fast, and having the balls to go by “willie”–you see what I did right there?–has been consistent all year. Aside from short yardage situations the Steelers’ offense has been the model of stability.

In a game that is usually more about hype than content, more about the half-time show and commercials than the on-field product, and more about the parties than the game, I will bet on the known entities.

I will side with the defense that wins championships and the offense that doesn’t make mistakes.

Sorry Cinderella, the shoe ain’t fitting this year:  Steelers 35 – Cardinals 27

J.David’s Predictions for the Super Bowl

J.DAVID – It is almost time for that once-a-year event where football transcends all walks of life and even the most casual of fan finds their proper place on the couch in front of an oversized television.  If people congregate just for an excuse to congregate, or if they come to intently watch the multi-million dollar commercials, or if they tune in for the potential of the next nip slip, or if they just plain love the NFL like I do, millions will watch the spectacle that is the Super Bowl and be treated to an athletic event like none other.

All the chatter has been about the Steelers domination and certain drubbing of the lowly Cardinals.  My favorite line of the week was, “Upsets do not happen in the Super Bowl.  They always follow the script.”  Oh how soon we forget that just last year, a helmet with great hands caught a pass from the other Manning which led to the gun-toting, sweatpants wearing, “I shot myself in the leg” genius catching the winning touchdown sparking a new line of 18-1 clothing seen throughout all New York.

Well, I am here to tell you that this Super Bowl script was written by 78-year-old retiree from Phoenix, and it leads with the greatest Super Bowl upset since last year.

The Arizona Cardinals could win and here’s how:

1. The Offensive Line and Kurt Warner - The offensive line will need to adjust to the intricate blitzing schemes the Steelers, and Warner must not hold the ball and take the sack.  Instead, he has to react without over-thinking and then he will end with the top three records for passing yards in the Super Bowl.
2. Score Early - By scoring early, the Cardinals will boost their confidence and play with a looseness about them.  The early scores will neutralize the Steelers running and ball-control offense, taking them out of what is comfortable and turning them into a one-dimensional team.  More importantly, scoring early relieves the pressure on the Red Bird defense to shut down the Steelers offense.  Is there anything more intimidating than a Cardinal?
3. Defense Step Up - The defense must put pressure on Big Ben.  They must also make sure that when they do bring the pressure, that he doesn’t slip the tackle and sidestep the defense to buy time outside the pocket.  Finally, they must win the turnover battle by taking advantage of the opportunities given through errant passes or from the Steelers laying the ball on the turf.
4. Don’t be Conservative - The Cardinals offense must keep the playbook wide open and take chances against the overplaying Steelers defense.  Being conservative with the ball is not what got the Cardinals to the pinnacle of the NFL world.  Don’t be someone/something you’re not.  Don’t be afraid to throw the ball early, often and way down the field.

The Cardinals must realize that no one-not even their mothers or their spouses-thought they had a chance at playing in the Super Bowl.  So relax, and play like there are no expectations on you, because there aren’t.  Oh yeah, while you are here, you might as well win.  ARIZONA 35 – PITTSBURGH 17

Previous Articles:

Countdown to Super Bowl XLIII: Part I (Coaches & Special Teams)

Countdown to Super Bowl XLIII: Part 2 (Defense)

Countdown to Super Bowl XLIII: Part 3 (Offense)

************************************************************************************

Kevin Patra lives by the adage: Those who can’t do, teach, and those who can’t do or teach, write. Currently, he is a graduate student at the University of Southern California studying Online Journalism, after spending four years at the University of Michigan obtaining a bachelors degree from the school of Language, Science & Fun. Patra grew up watching the Honolulu Blue and Silver every weekend, so he is an expert on what football is not supposed to look like.

J.David has never won an award for his writing, but he is a former collegiate athlete for a small college where everyone makes the team. Currently, he is a grad student at the University of Southern California studying the archaic form called, Print Journalism. J.David points to watching Barry Sanders catlike moves as the birth of his love for the NFL, and LT’s hit on Joe Theisman as the last day he ever wanted to play quarterback.

Related posts:

1. ⊚  Countdown to Super Bowl XLIII: Part 2 (Defense)
2. ⊚  Coutdown to Super Bowl XLIII: Part 3 (Offense)
3. ⊚  Countdown to Super Bowl XLIII: Part I (Coaches & Special Teams)
4. ⊚  Bring in the Props – Prop Bets and the Super Bowl
5. ⊚  The Sports Union’s NFL Divisional Playoff Predictions