Pitt (-7) over Arizona
Was back and forth on this game a lot because of how hot the Cards have been playing. Yet looking at the steelers they are playing as well as any team out their now. The difference is the steelers are expected to play well while the Cards shouldn't have even gotten this far. The cards have been great defensively and what can you say about Larry Fitzgerald. He has been the best weapon of any team in the playoffs and looks impossible to cover. I Like the steelers defense in this game and you have to be impressed on how both teams offensive lines have come together of late. Still, I looked over the Philly/Ariz game and you see that philly missed a lot of oppertunities down field and for the first half McNabb was just off the mark. Then he got hot and the defense started to get home and bottle Warner up. The question remains can anyone contain Fitzgerald and if so does Boldin have a big day after his temper tantrum last week. I think warner has started listening to his coach which has said don't give up on Fitz in the route, give it time and he will get open. What that does is gets other recievers less of a look in the passing game. Troy P will more than likely be on top of Fitz and that frees up a lot of room for other wr's. The key in this game is the defensive pressure on Warner. The steelers front group HAS to get home and has to make life uncomfortable for Warner. This s the big stage and a lot of the Ariz players are not used to it so if the steelers get pressure some players might get a little head down and that could be a big up for steelers backers. Now the steelers offense can be just as explosive as Arizona with deep threats like Holmes and Sweed (if he could catch). They have possesion guys like Ward, check downs like Moore but the biggest key is the tight end. Heath Miller should have a HUGE game considering how Selek for Philly was burning the linebackers all day. Selek had over 100 yards and 2 TD's not Miller is twice the player and could be a real game changer. I think the steelers have to get an effort lfrom Parker like the one against Balt. It will be a big lift to the offense for Parker to take pressure off Big Ben. So what does it all mean... You have two solid teams playing at great levels right now. The two week lay off may hurt the teams but doubtful. Warner and Big Ben can be playmakers for their team but we have also see both have huge meltdowns but not recently. Parker Edge and Hightower, Parker is the main guy in Pitt but Edge and Hightower equal one complete running back and Edge has been inspired running the ball lately but the front 3 of Pitt will not give him easy yards. I think Arizona can get beat outside more so then Pitt. Wr's are advantage Arizona, both teams have playmakers but Zona more so. O-Line advantage no one, both are playing better but I think the steelers line is a bit better. Defense is advantage steelers, they are a better overall defense, more speed on the run and the LB's are more active. Both teams have good kicking games and both have talent at the returner level. Holmes when back can take it the distance as well as Breston. So SEVEN is a lot, but I have to think the steelers defense give kurt more pressure than he wants. I know it is a feel good story but he does not like to be rushed, a lot of Fitzgeralds routes take time to develope. If the steelers eliminate that time they will have the edge. I am looking for Pitt to be efficent, while holding the Zona offense to some stops and using that to get on top to where Warner has to be more aggressive and then the defense makes a big play. I also think if the front seven of the steelers get home they could force a few fumbles because of Warners small hand issue. That could set the offense up well in this game for points. Seven is a lot but I am gonna take the ride.
ALSO
Coin Toss - TAILS
Combined Sacks by both teams - OVER (5.5)
Cheers
Irish
Was back and forth on this game a lot because of how hot the Cards have been playing. Yet looking at the steelers they are playing as well as any team out their now. The difference is the steelers are expected to play well while the Cards shouldn't have even gotten this far. The cards have been great defensively and what can you say about Larry Fitzgerald. He has been the best weapon of any team in the playoffs and looks impossible to cover. I Like the steelers defense in this game and you have to be impressed on how both teams offensive lines have come together of late. Still, I looked over the Philly/Ariz game and you see that philly missed a lot of oppertunities down field and for the first half McNabb was just off the mark. Then he got hot and the defense started to get home and bottle Warner up. The question remains can anyone contain Fitzgerald and if so does Boldin have a big day after his temper tantrum last week. I think warner has started listening to his coach which has said don't give up on Fitz in the route, give it time and he will get open. What that does is gets other recievers less of a look in the passing game. Troy P will more than likely be on top of Fitz and that frees up a lot of room for other wr's. The key in this game is the defensive pressure on Warner. The steelers front group HAS to get home and has to make life uncomfortable for Warner. This s the big stage and a lot of the Ariz players are not used to it so if the steelers get pressure some players might get a little head down and that could be a big up for steelers backers. Now the steelers offense can be just as explosive as Arizona with deep threats like Holmes and Sweed (if he could catch). They have possesion guys like Ward, check downs like Moore but the biggest key is the tight end. Heath Miller should have a HUGE game considering how Selek for Philly was burning the linebackers all day. Selek had over 100 yards and 2 TD's not Miller is twice the player and could be a real game changer. I think the steelers have to get an effort lfrom Parker like the one against Balt. It will be a big lift to the offense for Parker to take pressure off Big Ben. So what does it all mean... You have two solid teams playing at great levels right now. The two week lay off may hurt the teams but doubtful. Warner and Big Ben can be playmakers for their team but we have also see both have huge meltdowns but not recently. Parker Edge and Hightower, Parker is the main guy in Pitt but Edge and Hightower equal one complete running back and Edge has been inspired running the ball lately but the front 3 of Pitt will not give him easy yards. I think Arizona can get beat outside more so then Pitt. Wr's are advantage Arizona, both teams have playmakers but Zona more so. O-Line advantage no one, both are playing better but I think the steelers line is a bit better. Defense is advantage steelers, they are a better overall defense, more speed on the run and the LB's are more active. Both teams have good kicking games and both have talent at the returner level. Holmes when back can take it the distance as well as Breston. So SEVEN is a lot, but I have to think the steelers defense give kurt more pressure than he wants. I know it is a feel good story but he does not like to be rushed, a lot of Fitzgeralds routes take time to develope. If the steelers eliminate that time they will have the edge. I am looking for Pitt to be efficent, while holding the Zona offense to some stops and using that to get on top to where Warner has to be more aggressive and then the defense makes a big play. I also think if the front seven of the steelers get home they could force a few fumbles because of Warners small hand issue. That could set the offense up well in this game for points. Seven is a lot but I am gonna take the ride.
ALSO
Coin Toss - TAILS
Combined Sacks by both teams - OVER (5.5)
Cheers
Irish
