I hope that everyone enjoyed superbowl XLIII as much as I did. I must say going into this game I was a little nervous about the Cardinals hot streak continuing but Big Ben and the Super Steelers were able to pull out an EPIC win.
Now some may ask - "why do you care about the Steelers, I thought you were a Lions fan?" - so let me give a little context as to my Pittsburgh allegiance before I talk a bit about the game. Growing up, my best friend was from Pittsburgh. I spent many a hours watching Steelers, Pirates, Penguins, Panthers, you name it games. I have grown to love the city for its sports and it doesn't hurt that Ben Roethlisberger is a stunning replica of myself at about 6-5, 245. What a stud.
Back to the game. The first half could have provided a little more excitement - who has ever heard of Gary Russel or Ben Patrick? The highlight of the first 30 minutes was the doritos crystal ball - until James Harrison made the longest play in superbowl history. His pick 6 (Good call Bishop!) was a game changer and really looked like it would deflate the Cardinals' hopes and dreams. What a play and what an amazing athlete. Bill Cowher is a great coach but how did he not see the potential that this guy had? He cut him 3 times! Another reason Mike Tomlin should be coach of the decade but we can save that for another day...
Halftime: Bruce Springstein = Legendary. Not gonna lie I was a little distracted and didn't catch the whole thing but that guy still knows how to rock...
Needless to say it was nothing but excitement heading into the second half for the 2% of us in the world actually rooting for the Steelers instead of the underdog Cardinals. Harrison's play was a game changer and looked to set the tone for a blowout. However all that excitement would quickly turn.
Larry Fitzgerald has proven himself to be one of the greatest recievers to ever play the game and he showcased his superiority over every other reciever in the league in this one. Look at his versatility - scoring a 1 yard touchdown where he simply outjumped and outplayed the defender and a 64 yarder where he outran everyone including the defensive player of the year in the regular season - Harrison - and arguably the best defensive player in the postseason - Polamalu. These catches will get the highlights but he made a few others for first downs that kept the Cards in the game and gave them the ability to make their comeback. This kid is sick. I think I will take him in the first round of every fantasy draft I ever take part in for the rest of his career.
While Larry got all of the props this postseason for recievers (deservedly so...), the catch that Santonio Holmes made to win the game was incredible. Though I was getting nervous toward the end because of all the bad Lions karma Terp tried to rub on me with his #20 Lions jersey (as beautiful as it was...), Santonio saved the day. He showed up HUGE tonight (wish he woulda done that in the regular season - the super bowl MVP and my 5th round pick did a lot of good for me this year) and made arguably one of the best catches in Superbowl history. Though Big Ben with always be my MVP, Holmes deserved the spotlight and recognition he got because he won the game for the Steel Curtain with that catch. Not only was this Superbowl better than last years but that catch was more impressive than David Tyree's. What a way to cap off the game.
Congrats to both the Steelers and Cards on an amazing and entertaining game - the best football game I have watched in years.
4 comments:
You forgot the part where fans around the world got screwed out of being able to watch the most exciting play in football: the Hail Mary. While you probably could finally exhale as a Steelers fans, a Hail Mary free for all would have been the perfect ending to a great game. If Fitz came down with it or not, it would have been an awesome ending all must admit. But, in a recurring theme this year, the referees simply got it wrong. Warner did not fumble and my senses were robbed of witnessing what would have been the most dramatic ending to a Super Bowl ever.
If by "the referees got it wrong" you mean the play should have been reviewed and upheld, then I agree. Yes Warner's arm pushed the ball forward - after he had lost control. The call should have probably been reviewed as it was a close play at the end of the most important game of the year but it would have been upheld. Yes watching Fitz go up for a jump ball would have been fun but it wasn't deserved. The right call was made and the right team won.
come on elliot...how do you not review the last play of the super bowl? it was not a fumble. but either way, it should've went to the booth. i agree with nate 100% on this one. i know harrison had the huge touchdown, but why hold a cardinal down, punch him twice, then push him over? very profesional. and big ben is OVER-RATED!!!!!!!!!!!! yes he has two superbowls, but the defense won both. his first super bowl was one of the worst by a QB. and in this one he made one great pass. the cardinals lost this game themselves. dumb penalties and missed chances.
How about Holmes pulling a LeBron with the ball and not getting called for a penalty. I hate the rule, but using the ball as a prop is an automatic 15-yarder. Why have a rule if it's not going to be enforced when it really matters?
Post a Comment