Triumph In Tampa: Pittsburgh Wins Their Sixth Super Bowl 27-23 Over Arizona

Pre-game:

The stage is set,all the food is prepped,and here we go for the biggest game of the 2008 NFL football season.

All that can be said, has been said about this game.

I look for ball control by the Steelers and a healthy dose of Willie Parker.

My prediction as everyone on B/R knows is Steelers 28. Arizona 18.

Kick off:

The Steelers start with good field position and Parker runs the ball, Hines Ward makes a big gain on a pass, and Parker runs it up the field.

This is a good start by the Steelers.

Heath Miller catches  a 21 yard pass and it's first and goal at the one.

Arizona stops the first touchdown attempt. Parker gets it to the half-yard line. Third and goal. Big Ben gets in for the touchdown, but it s reviewed and he s called down at the one.

Field goal by Pittsburgh and it's 3-0 Pittsburgh.That was a big challenge early, that paid off for Arizona.

Arizona starts at their own 27 yard line. The defense was intense by Pittsburgh that first series and Arizona punts it back to Pittsburgh.

If that's an indication of how it's going to go, Arizona is going to have a long night.

Santonio Holmes picks up 25 yards on the first play of the Steelers second possession.

Big Ben goes deep , but Cromartie goes up and deflects it. as the pass floated.

Oh my goodness, Rothisberger gets away three times , and throws for the first down.

Heath Miller catches a short screen pass, and picks up another first down.

Parker picks up nine more yards, and it's second and one. So far, Pittsburgh has out gained the Cardinals 120 yards to 13.

Parker takes it to the five and it's second and goal as the quarter ends.

Miller catches a quick pass down to the two, and is stopped.

Russell on a short run, touchdown,Steelers. 10-0 over Arizona.

I had said the first team to get a 10 point lead would win this game, and there it is early.

Arizona cannot afford to let the Steelers score again without getting some points of their own on the board.

The Cardinals take over on their own 17 yard line. The cardinals have only had the ball five minutes in the game so far.

The Steelers game plan is working to perfection, keeping the ball out of Warner's hands.

Warner is now working the ball down the field short to Edgerrin James, and not throwing to Fitzgerald or Boldin.

Another pass to James for a first down at the Steelers 49 yard line. A holding call, the second on the Cardinals, pushes them back.

Breaston  makes his second catch. Then , Warner find Boldin all the way down to the two yard line, first and goal for the Cardinals. Warner hits the tight end Patrick, for a touchdown.

10-7 now, as the Cardinals answer the Steelers.

Warner looked much more in rhythm on that drive.

The Steelers take over on their 22 yard line.

Parker does an escape act and gets a first down.Big Ben takes a shot down the field but misses Holmes. Arizona stops the screen pass to Parker and it's third down.

It looks like holding on Pittsburgh, and a first down comes back. Third and 22 to go.

Encroachment on the defense and it's third and 17. The attempt to get a first down is short, and Pittsburgh punts.

Breaston makes a big run back for 35 yards and Arizona gets good field position.

4:10 to go in the half and Arizona is driving.  Personal foul on the offense and that knocks them back a bit. A chop block was called. Warner is then sacked. Third and very long for Arizona.

2:59 to go in the half and Arizona takes a time out. Third and 22. Larry Fitzgerald has not caught a pass in this game.

Arizona must punt it back to the Steelers, who have a chance to extend the lead now, late in the second quarter, but will start deep in their own territory at the 17 yard line.

Rothlisberger gets a pass deflected and it's intercepted by Arizona, and Warner will have it at the 34 yard line. That was a game changing play. It will probably give Arizona a tie, and maybe even the lead.

Pittsburgh better watch out for Boldin and Fitzgerald now for sure. Two minutes to go. Plenty of time for a score.

Warner throws one out of bounds. Second and 10 to go. Almost picked off, as Warner is decked as he throws the ball. Third and 10 now.  Hightower slips away from the defense and gets the first down.

Fitzgerald makes a catch for a first down. The Steelers take a  time out to regroup.

It's first down at the 13 yard line for the Cardinals. Boldin makes the catch at the five.

Boldin makes another catch, and it's first and goal at the two, with 17 seconds left in the half. Time for one play, and a field goal attempt if they don't score.

The Steelers intercept the pass and run it all the way back for a touchdown. It s good as a flag was thrown, but it's on Arizona for a face mask. The touchdown is being reviewed.

That was an amazing run back by Harrison. It looks like he scored, as his knee was on top of the Arizona defender. It is a touchdown. The half ends  with Pittsburgh leading 17-7.

Now that was a game changing play! That was the biggest turnaround play in Super Bowl history. The longest play ever in a Super Bowl. 100 yards. Incredible.

That was the best halftime show the Super Bowl has ever had! American rock and roll, at its best. Just an awesome event, is our Super Bowl every year. Let's all work on our dreams this year.

Thanks Bleacher/Report for the best football season ever for me. On to the second half, and someone's glory day.

Arizona will start with the ball in the second half. Can they answer,yet one more time.

Arizona's offense has scored 30 or more points in all three playoff games, but this is football's best defense, and they only have seven.

This is what i hoped  from  this  defense, and  so far, they have not let me down in my expectations. Not that i expected a 100 yard interception return though.

Arizona starts on their 24 yard line.

Boldin starts with a catch for five yards, and grimaces from his shoulder. Edgerrin James picks up nine yards and a first down.

James hits for seven more yards. Second and three. James gets it again and this will loosen up the pass defense, as he gets another first down. Boldin is back in.

Boldin catches another short one, and Arizona is picking up little chunks moving down the field. James catches one and they are in Steeler territory at the 49 yard line.

Warner is pressured and it's  a fumble by Warner, and Pittsburgh recovers the ball. This play will be challenged.

It looks like it will be reversed. Incomplete pass  and it's fourth and six. Pittsburgh gets the ball, as Arizona will punt.

The Steelers take over on the 19 yard line. They quickly get 22 yards on a completion and a face mask penalty. Hines Ward gets a first down on the next set of downs.

Roughing the passer gets another move up the field for the Steelers. Holmes gets another first down with a 15 yard gain. This is turning into  another nice ball control drive for the Steelers.

Arizona finally stops the drive short and a field goal makes it 20-7, but there is a personal foul on Wilson of Arizona, and it's first and goal instead.

Parker runs it and get stopped on the three. Second and goal. Another batted pass by the defense, and it's almost intercepted. Third and goal, and Big Ben is stopped. 20-7 anyway as the field goal is good again.

Arizona takes it on their own 20 as the clock is ticking on Arizona's improbable playoff run to this big stage.

We go to the fourth quarter, as Pittsburgh lead 20-7, and Arizona has picked up a first down.

That's all they pick up and Arizona must punt again. The safeties  for Pittsburgh have been back the entire game, taking away the long field for the Cardinals.

We have not seen Polamalu much because he has been in coverage most of the game.

Now we are getting a heavy dose of Willie Parker, here in the fourth quarter. 12:23 left in the game. Rothlisberger is sacked, and the Steelers must punt. That was a big stop!

Arizona starts deep at their own 11 yard line this time. Great punt coverage by the Steelers. Ah, the Polumala commercial was good. Those Coke zero guys, lol.

A big play and a first down in a no huddle offense from Arizona. First down at the 44 yard line. That might wake up the crowd.

Arrington makes a 22 yard gain and the Cardinals are in business.

Larry Fitzgerald takes the ball down to the 10 , and another first down for Warner and the Cardinals. First and goal. Fitzgerald catches another one and it's second and goal at the five.

Pittsburgh   takes a   time out with    their first in the second half, and we have a game again. Aizona is driving well this series, as they picked up the pace with the no huddle offense.

Hightower gets it to the one. Fitzgerald goes up and gets the touchdown. 20-14 Steelers. 7:30 to go in the game.

That was a quick scoring drive as it took only three and a half minutes.

The Steelers take over at the 23 yard line, and need a drive down the field of their own , now.

Parker runs for three yards. Second and seven. Big Ben needs to throw more on first down. He is getting too predictable. Yes, they sack him in a passing situation now. third and sixteen to go.

Miller is short of a first down and the Cardinals get the ball back again. 5:39 left and Arizona comes out down by six at their own 23 yard line.

The Steelers have had the number one defense the entire season and now they have to prove it.

Boldin catches one and there is some shoving and Pittsburgh gets a roughing call. Not smart, Ike Taylor.

Arrington is stopped and it's second down, and more no huddle. Breaston gets 23 yards, and it's another first down. Holding by the offense and that brings them back ten yards.

1st and 20 at the Steeler 26. Polumalu almost intercepts one, and it's second and 20. Warner almost picked off again, and it's third and 20. This is the biggest play of the game.

Warner is hit as he throws and it's fourth and 20. Arizona has no choice but to punt.

Pittsburgh gets the ball on the half yard line of the Steelers, wayyyyy back there.

3:35 left in the game. Rothlisberger throws incomplete. second and ten. Pittsburgh just makes it out of the end zone, and it's third and ten from just outside the goal line.

Will Rothlisberger throw to Hines Ward? I bet he does. Arizona must stop them here.

Santonio Holmes gets inside Cromartie and gets the first down, but there's a hold. Because it's in the end zone, it's a safety for Arizona on the Steelers.

Pittsburgh punts to Arizona with 2:50 left in the game, and the score 20-16 Pittsburgh.Wow! What a finish we have here in Tampa. Two   time  outs for Arizona left.

Warner throws incomplete as Boldin is clobbered. Second and 10 at the Arizona 36. Larry Fitzgerald for a touchdown, unbeleiveable. Warner hit Fitzgerald in the perfect place, and he sprinted up the middle for a touchdown.

Wow, again! 2:30 left in the game and it's Arizona 23, Pittsburgh 20.

Now it's up to Rothlsberger to get it done in the last 2 minutes one last time.

They have to get to at least the 30 of Arizona to have a chance to tie it up.Holding on the Steelers. First and 20 for Pittsburgh. There's another escape act from Rothlisberger as he completes a big pass for a first down.

Unreal if Rothlisberger pulls yet another one out of his hat.

1:56 left as Big Ben goes down the field incomplete.

Second and 10 in the most important drive of the Steelers season now.

Rothlisberger escapes yet another blitz for another first down. Washington catches another one , but can't get out of bounds. Big Ben runs it down to the 47 yard line.

The Steelers take a time out. 61 seconds left. it's second and six. Holmes takes it down to the five yard line. Wow, again, what a game.

First and goal on the five for the Steelers. Rothlisberger has delivered again. Can you say MVP?   Incomplete and it's second and goal. Holmes was open , but missed. Holmes catches the next one up high for a touchdown.

Both feet down and in control while he is triple-teamed. Unbeleivable.The touchdown counts and it's 27-23 Pittsburgh with :35 seconds left and two time outs for Arizona.

This was quite a game, folks.

I don 't think Arizona has enough time to get this done now. Arizona needs to go 77 yards in 29 seconds.

Fitzgerald catches a ball for a big gain, right away. Bam, a big first down, and time out Arizona. 

They are at the 43 yard line. Arrington catches it down to the 44 of Pittsburgh, and they take their final time out. :22 seconds left.

Warner fumbles ,but it  looks like Warner's arm was coming forward.Yes , it's a fumble and Pittsburgh becomes the first team to win six Super Bowls.

Final score Pittsburgh 27 , Arizona 23.

Congratulations to Big Ben Rothlisberger, who should be the MVP of this game. That was a big game from Big Ben.

Thanks for the great season , to Bleacher Report.

Thomas [FL Mikee] Moreland