Cards' RBs vs. Steelers' LBs
By Brad Young
Super Bowl XLIII is less than a week away, meaning now is the time to really focus on some of the key aspects that will help determine the winner. This column is going to focus on the Arizona running backs against the Pittsburgh linebackers.
These two teams would not be playing in this game if it weren’t for the exploits of these two areas. To further help in breaking down these two key areas will be VegasInsider.com handicapper Mark Franco who correctly picked both conference finals.
Arizona is going to need a solid ground game to keep the Pittsburgh pass rush off of quarterback Kurt Warner. By running the ball effectively, it will open up the passing attack led by a quarterback that already has a Super Bowl MVP trophy on his resume. The Cardinals have won and covered all three of their playoff games this postseason behind an improving ground game.
Pittsburgh won the AFC North Division and advanced to the Super Bowl behind its dominating defense. The linebackers are a central part to the Steelers attack that includes the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. Whatever team controls this aspect of the game will probably hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy in Tampa Bay. Now let’s take a closer look at this matchup for Super Bowl XLIII.
Arizona’s Running Backs
Arizona’s ground game consists of veteran Edgerrin James and rookie Tim Hightower. James was benched during the season and didn’t get the touches he has been used to in his career. While the veteran complained about it at the time, it has turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the Cardinals. James is much healthier at this stage of the season, ranking 42nd in the league during the regular season with 133 carries for 514 yards for an average of 3.9 yards per carry. The 10-year veteran scored three touchdowns during that time.
“Arizona has run the ball 52 percent of the time in its three playoff games after running the ball only 35 percent during the regular season,” said Franco. “So look for the Cardinals to try to run the ball with try being the key word.”
James leads the postseason in rushing for 203 yards on 52 attempts (3.9 yards per carry average). The 30-year-old has averaged 17.3 carries during Arizona’s three playoff games, scoring one touchdown and recording 10 first downs.
The reason that James has been so fresh during the stretch run has been the exploits of Hightower, a rookie out of the University of Richmond. The 22-year-old had 143 carries during the regular season for 399 yards (2.8 yards per carry) along with 10 touchdowns. Hightower has accumulated 132 yards rushing in three postseason games on 34 carries (3.9 yards per carry average) with one touchdown and seven first downs.
The Cardinals have been doing most of their damage on the ground with their outside speed. Arizona ranked dead last in the league during the regular season in rushing with 1,178 yards on 340 attempts (73.6 yards per game) with 14 touchdowns.
Pittsburgh Linebackers
When you talk about Pittsburgh linebackers, you have to start with NFL Defensive Player of the Year James Harrison (101 tackles, 16 sacks). The Steelers 3-4 scheme ranked second in the league during the regular season in rush defense, allowing just 80.2 yards per game and an average of 3.3 yards per carry.
“Pittsburgh has what I consider the best linebacking group in the NFL,” stated Franco. “Looking at what the Steelers did this season versus on of the toughest schedules ever, you have to say that they are the best in the business.”
Pittsburgh’s defense ranked first during the regular season in points per game (13.9), yards allowed (237.2) and passing yards (156.9). Alongside Harrison in the 3-4 scheme is Larry Foote (63 tackles, 1.5 sacks), James Farrior (133 tackles, 3.5 sacks) and LaMarr Woodley (60 tackles, 11.5 sacks).
The Steelers continued their defensive dominance during their two postseason games, yielding an average of 44 yards per game rushing and an average of 2.4 yards per carry. Those performances occurred against San Diego’s Darren Sproles (11 carries, 15 yards) and Baltimore’s Willis McGahee (20 carries for 60 yards and two touchdowns).
“Pittsburgh will have to play most of the Super Bowl looking for the pass first because Warner will beat the Steelers deep if they don’t,” noted Franco. “This may help the rushing yardage totals for the Cardinals, but don’t look for any long runs against the Pittsburgh defense.”
What Team Has the Edge?
Defense wins championships, a formula Pittsburgh has used in five previous Super Bowl victories. The Steelers pride themselves on stopping the run, and Arizona’s ground game is not the strong point of its offense. Pittsburgh’s defense creates problems with its unorthodox 3-4 scheme highlighting four talented linebackers. The Steelers rushing defense ranked second in the league during the regular season, while Arizona’s ground game was last.
Expect to see the Cardinals pass the ball to open up their ground game, hoping to get enough out of the running attack to keep the Steelers pass rush honest. James and Hightower have provided another angle to Arizona’s high-octane passing offense of Kurt Warner, Anquan Bolden and Larry Fitzgerald. I see Arizona’s offense becoming one dimensional as the game progresses, with the Cardinals’ running game against the Steelers’ linebackers being one of the biggest mismatches of Super Bowl XLIII.
Edge: Pittsburgh
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