Breaking Down Super Bowl XLIII by the Matchups

A lot of people will break down every angle of the Super Bowl trying to figure out who has what advantage.

But when it really comes down to it, the players either make the plays or make mistakes.

Many games come down to a few big plays—either made by one, or missed by the other. This theory is more evident in the Super Bowl than other games because of what is at stake.
Think back to recent Super Bowls and you can immediately think of defining moments.

Last season, you can instantly picture Eli running for his life and just flicking the ball over the middle. I'm sure I wasn't alone when, as soon as the ball left his hand, I thought, "Oh no!" But Tyree comes down with the ball and the play was made.

Three seasons ago, it was the Steelers who came out on the winning end with a trick play as Antwaan Randle El threw a touchdown pass to Hines Ward.

Willie Parker also broke through on record setting 75-yard touchdown run.

While the first play is more about making the play, the latter is about the defense making a small mistake.

If you take a look at that play, the Seattle linebackers allowed themselves to be taken out of the play. Poor angles of pursuit and Alan Faneca taking on two defenders pulling from the left side made that play.

How many times can we picture Adam Vinatieri hitting a game winning field goal, or Tom Brady leading a game winning drive?

Even going back many years, I can still picture Jerry Rice pulling in a 44-yard touchdown pass from Steve Young in a rout over the Chargers in Super Bowl XXIX.

Who hasn't seen replays upon replays of Lynn Swann making acrobatic catches and Jackie Smith becoming "The sickest man in America." I wasn't even alive for the event, but I can clearly picture Garo Yepremian trying to catch/throw that blocked field goal and having it taken out of his hands the other way for a touchdown.

So as we continue to break down Super Bowl XLIII, let's take a look at the game breakers and how they'll match up in this game.

1. Larry Fitzgerald vs. the Pittsburgh secondary

Larry Fitzgerald is finally getting the respect he has deserved for so long.

He has all the physical tools to be the game's all-time greatest wide receiver. Also, he seems to have the mindset of a team leader and is not the typical "Me, Me, Me" wide receiver.

I was just as impressed by him celebrating Tim Hightower's touchdown catch to win the NFC Championship game as I was with his three first-half touchdowns.

Can anyone else picture Terrell Owens walking off the field and throwing his helmet because he didn't get a chance to make the play?

The Steelers are rumored to be moving Ike Taylor to cover Boldin one-on-one to leave Bryant McFadden covering Fitzgerald with safety help on almost every play.

This could be rumor because Taylor is the Steelers tallest corner at 6'2". It would be difficult to for either Deshea Townsend (5'10") or McFadden (6'0") to stand a chance on a jump ball.

The Steelers' main advantage could come from Troy Polamalu shadowing Fitzgerald and following Kurt Warner's eyes to swoop in for a pick.

However, no matter how the Steelers plan to cover the Cardinals down field, the advantage will go to the receivers. Fitzgerald, along with Boldin, will make plays.

The question is: How many?

2. James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley vs. Levi Brown and Mike Gandy

Harrison and Woodley set a Steelers' record this season with a combined 27.5 regular season sacks.

Not only that, but this duo has been adept at stripping the ball creating chaos for opposing quarterbacks.

Brown and Gandy will have their hands full deciding where the pressure is coming from and in locating Harrison, Woodley, and others pre-snap.

Look for Harrison to use his speed against Gandy as he will try to push the edge and force Warner up into the pocket where the other Steelers' defenders are used to picking up sacks and tipped balls.

The Cardinals only allowed 28 sacks as a team this season and will try to keep Warner upright against the league's best defense.

The advantage here will favor the Steelers. They will pressure Warner more times than not.

But, how many times will Warner be able to burn the secondary when the pressure doesn't get to him?

3. Santonio Holmes vs. Dominique Rogers-Cromartie

Holmes has proved to be the offensive spark for the Steelers this postseason.

His punt return for a touchdown lifted the team up after they fell behind 7-0 to the Chargers, and his long touchdown catch against the Ravens put the Steelers in front for good.

Rogers-Cromartie has become a very athletic lock down corner for the Cardinals this year.

The rookie has the speed to keep up with any receiver and the size to create a nice jamb at the line of scrimmage.
He should be able to keep up with Holmes step-for-step and even catch up on plays he gets beaten. However, will Holmes be able to work the underneath routes against the younger player?

Look for the Steelers to keep Holmes in the middle of the field and hope he breaks a big play rather than trying to beat Rogers-Cromartie downfield.

Nate Washington might play the down field role as the third wide receiver for the Steelers. He's averaging over 16 yards per catch this season and has made some big plays.
This matchup comes down to a push.

Holmes has the experience and savvy, but Rogers-Cromartie has the athletic ability to even that out.

However, when we're talking about one mistake meaning the game, either of these players could provide that play.
When the athletic ability is magnified, so are the mistakes.

4. Kurt Warner vs. Troy Polamalu

Warner has had a remarkable season, especially considering where it started.

Having won the starting job in training camp, the 37-year-old Warner never looked back. With the league's best receiving corps at his disposal, he racked up over 4,500 yards and 30 touchdowns.

On the other side of the field is Polamalu who is having a similar season.

Leading the team with seven picks and another he returned for a touchdown to seal the game against the Ravens, Polamalu will look to confuse the Cardinals offense and line up all over the field.

Warner, being the consummate field general, should be unaffected by this and bring the match up down to who plays better.

If Warner throws a couple interceptions, and is unable to move the ball, it will be because the defense out-played the offense, not because he melted under the pressure.

Look for Polamalu to play a solid tackling game around the line of scrimmage, however he could be beaten on some deep routes as he often relies on his speed and athleticism to make up for being out of place.

Warner will end up having a larger impact on this game.

That's not saying he will have success against the Steelers' defense, but how he plays should determine the outcome.

5. Ben Roethlisberger vs. Adrian Wilson

Big Ben has had is moments throughout the season when he struggled to stay upright and keep plays alive.

His uncanny ability to keep a play alive and scramble from sideline to sideline has dictated the Steelers' offense all season.

Arizona's Adrian Wilson may be the best player no one has ever heard of.

Playing on the Cardinals' defense his whole career has led to a life of anonymity. However, it was his desire to remain a Cardinal when he became a free agent that shows his true character.

Wilson will line up at the line of scrimmage most of the time to control the Steelers' running game, and it will be up to Roethlisberger to sell the play action and hit his tight ends and receivers over the middle and on crossing routes.

The Steelers generally like to work the sidelines, but expect a little change of pace with the middle of the field having a void.

It's up to Wilson to diagnose these plays and drop into coverage. If he can come up with a big pick when Roethlisberger doesn't even see him, it could result in six the other way.

I again expect this match up to wash.

Roethlisberger will make plays with his feet to buy time and find receivers schoolyard style, while Wilson will clog up the line of scrimmage and force the Steelers to convert third-and-longs.

6. Willie Parker and the Steelers offensive line vs. the Cardinals front seven or eight

Willie has had a disappointing year because of injuries, but showed a spark against the Chargers that led many to believe the he is back.

Running for 146 yards in the game also gave the Steelers' revamped offensive line a reason to boast. However, Tomlin will be sure to remind them they only gained 52 yards against the Ravens.

The Cardinals front seven has looked head-and-shoulders above their competition this postseason, having shut down the Panthers running attack, and also kept Philly's Brian Westbrook in check.

Led by Karlos Dansby, look for them to focus on stopping the run, and keeping Roethlisberger inside the pocket.

While neither of these areas are their teams' strengths this season, it could wind up determining the outcome.
Look for the Steelers to push the run even after multiple third-and-longs.

Their hope is that if in just one of these plays, Willie can find a seam and never look back.

With Adrian Wilson playing in the box most of the game, it might be possible that if Parker gets to that second level, he could be gone for a touchdown.

In the end, fans will look back and have a lasting image in their mind.

Will it be Larry Fitzgerald standing in the end zone all by himself after a long reception?

Will it be Lamarr Woodley scooping up a fumble caused by James Harrison and taking it all the way?