Cardinals vs. Steelers: Who Will Win?

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At Super Bowl XLIII, the high-powered offense of the Arizona Cardinals will square off against the bone- crushing defense of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Throughout this slideshow I will state my opinion on which Super Bowl team has the best: running game, passing game, and defense.

At the end I will pick my 2009 Super Bowl champion.

Who Has The Better Running Game?

Who has the better running game?

With Cardinals QB Kurt Warner chucking the pigskin all over the field, the Cardinals lag in the running game.

Rookie running back Tim Hightower received the brunt of the carries in the regular season, but he has given way to proven veteran Edgerrin James in the postseason. Hightower, who has not played well in the Cardinals previous playoff games, continually gets tackled for little or no gain, staggering their running game.

The Steelers, on the other hand, have one of the fastest backs in the NFL in Willie Parker. "Fast" Willie will also finely be healthy for the Super Bowl.

The edge goes to the Steelers.

Who Has The Better Passing Game?

This was a tough one. Both teams have quarterbacks with Super Bowl experience. But I've made my decision.

The Steelers, led by "Big" Ben Roethlisberger, do not exactly have a flashy offense. Roethlisberger, who has been inconsistent at times, often holds the ball too long, which leads to sacks and hurts the passing game.

The Steelers often run out of 2 wide receiver sets with Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes out wide. The inside is led by tight end Heath Miller, who is a steady target for Roethlisberger.

The Cardinals, led by old crafty veteran QB Kurt Warner, have a pass heavy offense that tires out the scoreboard.

Warner, who was an MVP candidate this season, often takes the field in three or four-wide sets.

When he plays in those formations, he's equipped with such weapons as wide receivers Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald, and Steve Breaston. He also throws to a sure handed Tim Hightower out of the backfield.

In the end, the edge goes to the flash and dash of the Cardinals.

Who has the Better Defense?

This slide was not so difficult.

The Cardinals defense, bolstered by defensive linemen Darnell Dockett and safety Adrian Wilson, are inconsistent.

In the playoffs, the Cardinals defense has stifled opponents. However, they weren't so good in the regular season. This culminated in the 42-7, week 15 blow out at the hands of the Patriots—who were without Tom Brady!

The Steelers aren't too shabby on D.

The Steel Curtain—led by perennial beast nose tackle Casey Hampton, defensive player of the year linebacker James Harrison, and ball-hawking safety Troy Polemalu—rank first in the league in total defense and passing defense, and are second in the league in rushing defense.

The edge, most definitely, goes to the Steelers