Number Six
- Image via Wikipedia
Congratulations to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the first franchise in NFL history to win six Super Bowl titles.
The Arizona Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers squared off today in Super Bowl XLIII, and in a game that proved to be better than anticipated, the Steelers managed to come from behind in the last 2:37 of the game to pull off the victory, 27-23 in Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
The Steelers had a ten point lead at half-time, 17-7. But crafty Kurt Warner and the explosive Arizona Cardinals offense managed to battle back into the game after falling behind 20-7. In a fourth quarter rally, the Cardinals scored an incredible 16 unanswered points. They pulled ahead 23-20 on a long pass from Warner to Larry Fitzgerald who darted through the Steelers defense for a 64-yard touchdown. But the Steelers rallied in the last 2:37 and Ben Roesthlisberger found Santonio Holmes in the back corner of the endzone. Holmes tip-toed inbounds and controlled the ball, and even after a lengthy booth review, the replay showed touchdown with 35 seconds to go in the game.
On the ensuing drive, with 29 seconds to play, Warner began marching the Cardinals down the field, but the Steelers defense pressured him and forced a fumble with five seconds left on the clock. The Steelers recovered, took a knee, and made history.
The Arizona Cardinals have nothing to be ashamed of, though they did lose the game. Warner was 31 for 43, for 377 yards and three touchdowns, with one costly interception at the close of the first half. Larry Fitzgerald, silent for most of the game, came alive in the second half and caught seven balls for 127 yards and two touchdowns. The Cardinals, however, also set a Super Bowl record … for penalties. They had 10 flags thrown their way for a total of 106 yards.
Ben Roethlisberger went 20 of 31 for 256 yards, and the only touchdown he threw was to Santonio Holmes in the final 35 seconds of the game to win. Holmes caught 9 balls for 131 yards and the game-winning score. But the highly vaunted Pittsburgh rushing attack was stymied, with only 58 total yards. In the end, however, Roethlisberger extended plays by moving out of the pocket and eluding the Arizona defense, converting on key downs to keep drives alive. During the regular season, Roethlisberger was heavily criticized for holding the ball too long, but tonight, it made all the difference.
Once again, congratulations to the Pittsburgh Steelers players, organization and to the Rooney family for their place in NFL history.
To the Arizona Cardinals and their fans, you have our sympathies. We, personally, rooted for your team and thought they played a very good game. There is nothing anyone can say to condole your loss, and we know that from experience, because we’re Patriots fans in our house. 35 seconds seems to be the magic number in Super Bowls these last few years, doesn’t it? Congratulations on a fantastic season and post-season, and even though it stings, it will pass.
But losing sucks, doesn’t it?
