It’s here! Superbowl Sunday is here! Now it’s time to get yourself ready with the Superbowl festivities.  Get that 6 foot sub, keg of beer, get your Superbowl pool squares and pull the pool numbers. 

Then it’s time to talk football. Here are some things to look for in today’s Superbowl matchup between the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers:

When The Steelers Run The Ball
Watch for running back Willie Parker to have a big game.  Over the last two games he has run for over 100 yards, including a 146 yard performance against the San Diego Chargers in the divisional playoffs.  And for you betting types, the Steelers are 6-0 in postseason play when Willie is a starter.

When The Steelers Throw The Ball
Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers starting quarterback, won a Superbowl ring in Super Bowl XL, but was not a factor in that game. In fact, he threw 2 interceptions and had a passing rating of 22.6.  This time around, expect Ben to be a big factor, even with his favorite receiver, Hines Ward, wearing a brace and playing with a sprained knee.

When The Cardinals Run The Ball
Do you remember Edgerin James?  He was benched in November in favor of Tim Hightower but regained the starting spot in the playoffs.  He ran for 203 yards on 52 carries and added a new dimension to the Cardinals offense.  But the Cardinals will need to spread the running game around with Hightower and J.J. Arlington to keep the Steelers number one rated defense honest.

When the Cardinals Throw The Ball
Kurt Warner, the starting quarterback, lead the Arizona passing game to the second most prolific in the league this year.  Warner has the luxury of a trio of 1,000 yard receivers to throw to, including larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston.

Special Teams
Nobody has ever returned a punt for a touchdown in the Super Bowl. Pittsburgh’s Santonio Holmes has already returned a punt for a touchdown this season.  Arizona’s Steve Breaston has the ability to deliver breakaway returns.  He did it in his first pro game, a 73-yard punt return last Fall.

X-Factor
Steelers: Troy Polamalu is a super strong aggressive strong safety who has the hands to intercept passes and the running ability to bring it back for a touchdown.

Cardinals: The coach, Ken Whisenhunt’s trick plays.  The Cardinals used a trick play against the Philadelpha Eagles in the conference championship game that went for a touchdown. It seemed to deflat the Eagles momentum and make the defense think about that play for the rest of the game.

Super Bowl Prediction
Pittsburgh Steelers 17   Arizona Cardinals 14
The defense of the Pittsburgh Steelers will be too much for the Cardinals.

The AFC Championship game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens is will be a low scoring affair with the Pittsburgh Steelers ending up on top.  Here are the 3 reasons why:

1. The Steelers number one ranked defense will dominate and keep the Ravens from scoring even one touchdown. 
2. Experienced QB versus the rookie. The Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger has the experience. He has won before in an AFC Championship Game and he has a Superbowl ring.  The Ravens Joe Flacco will be overwelmed by the tenacious “D” of the Steelers
3. Steelers are at Home.

GAME INFO

Date: Sunday, January 18, 2009
Time: 6:30 PM EST
Location: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pa.
TV: CBS
Announcers: Jim Nantz and Phil Simms

THE SPREAD
The Pittsburgh Steelers are favored by 6 points.  The Over/Under is 34 points
GAME TRENDS
Top Trends
PITTSBURGH is 77-48 ATS as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points since 1992.
PITTSBURGH is 38-18 ATS as a home favorite of 3.5 to 7 points since 1992.
PITTSBURGH is 38-22 ATS in all games where the total is 35 or less since 1992.
BALTIMORE is 14-4 ATS in all games this season.
BALTIMORE is 14-4 ATS in all lined games this season.
BALTIMORE is 8-2 ATS in road games this season.
BALTIMORE is 8-2 ATS in road lined games this season.
BALTIMORE is 11-3 ATS against conference opponents this season.
BALTIMORE is 12-3 ATS in games played on a grass field this season.
 
 
Head-to-Head Series History
BALTIMORE is 4-2 against the spread versus PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons 
PITTSBURGH is 3-3 straight up against BALTIMORE over the last 3 seasons 
4 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons 
 

GAME PREDICTION
Pittsburgh Steelers 17  Baltimore Ravens 3

The Ravens offensive line will not be able to provide QB Joe Flacco enough time to throw or be able to help their running game.  Big Ben Roethlisberger will do enough to get the Steelers in the endzone and win in a low scoring contest.

sources: nfl.com, espn.com, thespread.com, fox.com