Super Bowl XLIII

"Welcome back, my friends to the show that never ends."

It's Super Bowl time, now who had the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Arizona Cardinals playing in this year's Super Bowl, before the season started raise your hand.

Well it's a fact the league's #1 defense in Pittsburgh will be taking on the high powered offense of the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday night in Tampa, Fl. for Super Bowl XLIII.

The Cardinals are playing in their first Super Bowl in franchise history led by coach Ken Whisenhunt, the former offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Whisenhunt, who would have been the front runner for the Steeler's job, until the Steeler's front office selected Mike Tomlin, who previously was the defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings.

When the Cardinals started the season it was with Heisman trophy winner Matt Leinart as the starter, and yet they go into the Super Bowl with their backup QB and former Super Bowl MVP Kurt Warner leading the way.

Warner, who is career has been reenergized since coming to Arizona, especially in 2009, where he posted near career numbers and nearly won his third MVP award.

Warner leads an offense of star receivers Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald and their two-headed monster at running back Edgerrin James and rookie Tim Hightower.

In this post-season, Fitzgerald has broke the record for recieving yards in a post season set by 49er legend Jerry Rice, but what could be a problem for the Cardinals, is the lack of production from their other All-Pro receiver Boldin who has a mere 100 yards and one receiving TD.

The Cardinals offense will face the biggest challenge they have faced in the post season and perhaps the regular season, in Pittsburgh's #1 defense led by safety Troy Polamalu and 2009 Defensive Player of the Year James Harrison.

Pittsburgh, began the season, with the knowledge their regular season was deemed the hardest schedule out of the 32 teams, who had the easiest, New England.

Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethilsberger amazingly made it through this season, although he was taken out in the regular season finale against the Cleveland Browns.

Roethilsberger does have something to prove, as in his previous Super Bowl, his numbers were very unproductive, (123 passing yards, two interceptions and one rushing TD)

The Steelers on offense have a returning and rejuvenated Willie Parker at running back, but may be hampered at wide receiver, if Super Bowl MVP Hines Ward isn't at 100%.

Without Ward, the Steelers will have to rely on deep ball threat Nate Washington or rookie Limas Sweed to step up if Ward isn't ready.

Mike Tomlin, became the third black head coach to lead his team to the Super Bowl (Tony Dungy-Colts, Lovie Smith-Bears). If Pittsburgh wins, Tomlin will join Dungy as the only black head coaches to win a Super Bowl.

Prediction: The question for this year's Super Bowl, is who will crack first, Arizona's offense or Pittsburgh's defense. In my opinion, as much as this hurts to write, because I am a NFC fan (49ers baby!), I just think the Steelers suffocating defense is going to be too much for the Cardinals to handle.

Final Score: Steelers 24, Cardinals 13

Bonus Prediction: Based on Pittsburgh's defense, my prediction for MVP is either Polamalu or Harrison.