Revenge Of The Birds: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Around SBN: Baby Boilers no more: Michigan State-Purdue Preview

Key Match Ups: Arizona Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

In this Sunday's game, the big match ups will be plentiful. This is the most important game of the year that will feature the two best teams in the league. Not only do the players match up well, but the teams do too. The number one power house defense versus a high flying offense. It's an ideal match up for a Super Bowl and hopefully, it will live up to the hype.Seeing as it's the Super Bowl, there will be a extended list of key match ups. Here's some of the key match ups of Super Bowl 43:

 Cards_line_medium

  • Kurt Warner vs. James Harrison - What else can you say. Harrison will be hunting for Warner, and Warner will be trying to beat the blitz. Warner is tough as nails and will likely take several big hits from Harrison. If he can get the ball out quickly and not have to run on his feet, Warner will have much success.
  • Dominique Rogers-Cromartie vs. Santonio Holmes - Holmes is a tall, quick, explosive receiver. DRC is a fast, tall corner, who can make up ground quickly and make a play on the ball. This will be one of the more exciting match ups of the game. Both players will be trying to make a big play and whoever succeeds, could be the difference maker.
  • Larry Fitzgerald vs. Ike Taylor - Larry is going to be in the key match ups no matter which game it is. There will be no doubt that Ike will have his hands full. He will have focus on jamming Larry off the line and shadowing his every move. Fitz is going to be especially key to this game because he will be a frequent target for Warner.
  • Karlos Dansby vs. Heath Miller - This is a very underrated match up for the game. Both players are considered the best at their positions and will likely be grinding it out at the line of scrimmage. Dansby is the best coverage line backer on the Cardinals and looks for the ball when its in the air. Heath usually goes unnoticed when talking about the NFL's top tight ends. He is a good blocker and an even better receiver. If Dansby can silence Miller and take him out of the game, it will give big Ben even less options to pass to.
  • Edgerrin James vs. James Farrior/Larry Foote - Edge will have one of the more difficult match ups with the league's number one defense. It's important for the Cardinals to establish some kind of running game, even if that means 3 or 4 yard runs. If Edge is able to produce something, it will only open up the passing game even more then it already is.
  • Cardinals Offense vs. Troy Polamalu - Troy is regarded as the best safety in the NFL and it's really hard to argue with that. He makes plays all the time and really makes the Steelers defense go. Warner and Co. will have to always keep an eye out for him and make sure they don't put the ball anywhere near him. Whether it be a 3rd and short or a deep jump ball, the Cardinals need be on top of their game and not turn the ball over, otherwise Troy will make a play.
  • Cardinals Defense vs. Ben Roethlisberger - Perhaps the most pivotal match up of the game will be this one. It's pretty simple...if the Cardinals can force turnovers, get sacks, or hurry Ben, it could be the difference between a win or loss.

Obviously there are a lot of huge match ups in this game and one alone won't decide who wins. Every game features a star and it's only up to the rest of the team if they are going to step up as well. If everybody does their job and plays their best game, then expect to see the Cardinals win convincingly. The reality is that the Steelers won't go away easy and will win some of these match ups. If the Cardinals don't give up and close out the game, they will be Champions of the world.

 

Poll
What is the most important key match up of Super Bowl 43?
Kurt Warner vs. James Harrison
25 votes
Karlos Dansby vs. Heath Miller
2 votes
Cardinals Offense vs. Troy Polamalu
25 votes
Edgerrin James vs. Farrior/ Foote
4 votes
DRC vs. Santonio Holmes
22 votes
Larry Fitzgerald vs. Ike Taylor
19 votes
Cardinals Defense vs. Ben Roethlisberger
45 votes

142 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs  |  Comment 11 comments |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

Cosign with

Dansby vs. Heath Miller as an underrated matchup. Brent Celek burned us in the Eagles game with 10 catches for 83 yards and 2TDs. I don’t see us winning if we can’t limit Miller’s impact on the game.

That being said, I still feel the most important matchup is having a productive running game against the Steelers D.

Arizona expatriate in Missouri

by Snakebitten on Jan 27, 2009 11:07 AM MST reply actions   0 recs

True.

If Miller has any kind of game Celek had, we are in trouble.

Hey, hey, hey hey hey, watch the language, ok? I have a family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Jan 27, 2009 11:14 AM MST up reply actions   0 recs

Adding to the importance of this matchup

Ward hasn’t made a cut on his bum knee since he hurt it, he isn’t practicing until Thurday (at the earliest), and he’s already said he’ll be wearing a brace on Sunday. There is no question that Ward is starting, but if he reaggrivates that knee early on, Miller becomes the Steelers’ best/only possession receiver.

by The IC Lion on Jan 27, 2009 12:01 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

Miller is definitely a big piece. It wouldn’t shock me if Hines wasn’t effective and Holmes was wiped out by DRC, so the LB’s on Miller and Moore will be a big matchup.

Incidentally, DRC apparently said in the news conference that he’ll be shadowing Holmes all day, so we can be fairly confident that he won’t be.

charity standing orders

by BadMaafala on Jan 27, 2009 12:03 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

Whatever else Holmes may be..

..“tall” he is not. Somewhere around 5-10 and a buck eighty.

by robert ethan on Jan 27, 2009 1:14 PM MST reply actions   0 recs

Guess I shouldve used the word lanky, because he looks tall.

Hey, hey, hey hey hey, watch the language, ok? I have a family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Jan 27, 2009 2:38 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

As a Virginia fan,

I have a special effinity for Farrior and Miller, but come Sunday, I want to see them fail.
And I think the most important matchup on Sunday will be the Cards’ O-line vs. the Steelers D.

by cfaddct on Jan 27, 2009 4:05 PM MST reply actions   0 recs

I try not to be too general when comparing the match ups...

So thats why I put Cards O vs Polamalu or Harrison vs Warner. Somewhat close right?

Hey, hey, hey hey hey, watch the language, ok? I have a family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Jan 27, 2009 6:03 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

Edge will be the main back. With the anticipated blitzes coming strong, Edge will be needed on passing downs. He is our best blocking back and if he can give Kurt an extra second or two, we will have much success in the air. This will be our biggest test on the ground. If we can start strong, that will set the tone and keep the defense somewhat honest.

by hevchv on Jan 27, 2009 10:01 PM MST reply actions   0 recs

Key matchup to me...

Arizona wide receivers against the Steeler corners. The Steeler cornerbacks, particularly Ike Taylor play well off the line in coverage. With Warner’s quick release, he should have good success underneath, then you have Fitzgerald and Boldin outweighing the Steeler corners by a good 20 pounds each, so they should make good yardage after the catch. LeBeau will have to rotate his defense to compensate for that, and it will open up holes down the field.

I’m pretty confident of a Cardinal victory on Sunday, and they could put up a lot of points.

by robert ethan on Jan 27, 2009 11:05 PM MST reply actions   0 recs

Watch Super Bowl 43 (XLIII) Live Stream Online

Watch Super Bowl 43 (XLIII) Live Stream Online. Watch the Arizona Cardinals Vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Live Online Stream Free on February 1, 2009, with kickoff at 6:20 PM Eastern Time (23:20 GMT), at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

http://www.iwebie.com/super-bowl-xliii-live-streaming-online

by hemanthjava on Jan 29, 2009 12:21 PM MST reply actions   0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Covering the NFC West Champion Arizona Cardinals 24/7.
Start posting about the Cardinals »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recent FanPosts

7-eleven_iraq_small
Good For, Bad For...
Chrishanburgerlegends_small
Canton's Voters Once Again Prove They Know Nothing About Football
20450_708450133197_10615019_40859276_4024284_n_small
Warner wins 2010 Bart Starr Award
Arizonacardinals_small
2010-11 Standout Player
Arizona_cardinals-11696_small
Miami RB coach to Arizona Cardinals
Tristin_028_small
Love and hate for the former Cardinal
Articlelarge_small
Hi Cardinal fans looking for participation.
Vacations_040_small
Boldin for Wilfork?
Cardinal500_small
Julius Peppers
Small
Thank you Kurt

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Latest NFL Headlines from SB Nation

Contact ROTB

Here at RotB we're always looking for new contributors or anyone just willing to give their feedback. If you'd like to become a contributor, create your own weekly segments, or just have a question or concern, contact us at revengeofthebirds@gmail.com.


Head Coach

Andrew602_avatar_small Andrew602

Coordinators

100_0035_small Hawkwind

Assistant Coaches

Cardsstadium_small CardsFan08

Cards_small Pyromnc

24306182067arizona_cardinals_1_small najmsh

Obx_small Undrafteds

Untitled3_small SundayBlitz