Key Stat: Arizona is 9-0 when they get a TD in the first quarter. When Arizona scores TDs early, they win because when the offense clicks early they're hard to stop. Look for Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald to connect early, look for Anquan Boldin to help keep the passing game alive, and look for Edgerrin James to provide a solid running attack.
Key Player: Willie Parker. When Willie Parker is the game's leading rusher, Pittsburgh is 8-2. Look for them to get him going early, in combination with Moore and Mendenhall.
The running game will be key for Pittsburgh, especially with Hines Ward's injury.
Prediction: It seems as though Pittsburgh has the edge on paper, however if you look at the playoffs, especially the last two games, the Cardinals have all the momentum and could not be playing better. The Steelers have that punishing defense and pounding run game but it seems to me that the Cardinals have something intangible going right now. Their defense has held up pretty well, their offense has been very productive, and so I'm picking the Cardinals by thirteen points or less.
Key Player: Willie Parker. When Willie Parker is the game's leading rusher, Pittsburgh is 8-2. Look for them to get him going early, in combination with Moore and Mendenhall.
The running game will be key for Pittsburgh, especially with Hines Ward's injury.Prediction: It seems as though Pittsburgh has the edge on paper, however if you look at the playoffs, especially the last two games, the Cardinals have all the momentum and could not be playing better. The Steelers have that punishing defense and pounding run game but it seems to me that the Cardinals have something intangible going right now. Their defense has held up pretty well, their offense has been very productive, and so I'm picking the Cardinals by thirteen points or less.
