Monday, February 2, 2009

Super Time


The commercials brought the viewers, but the game kept them tuned in.
Pittsburgh defeated Arizona 27-23 in one of the most exciting fourth quarters, if not games ever.
Funny, because with a defense first Pittsburgh team competing against an average until the postseason and awful historically Arizona team, the Super Bowl seemed duller than Ben Stein's voice.
Arizona battled back from a 20-7 deficit to take a 23-20 lead on a catch and run of 64 yards by Larry Fitzgerald, his second touchdown of the fourth quarter.
The clock read 2:37.
Too much time.
The Steelers calmly drove six plays and 72 yards in less than two minutes to set up first-and-goal from the Cardinals' 6. Two plays later and what seemed like the Lord of the Rings trilogy later (Arizona's front four got absolutely no pressure), Ben Roethlisberger lofted a ball for Santonio Holmes in the back right corner of the end zone. Becoming one with the ground, following a well-timed jump and catch, Holmes hit the turf just as the reality of a comeback for naught struck the Cardinals.
Touchdown.
The Cardinals had one last-ditch drive, in the closing seconds, but Kurt Warner fumbled.
The game also featured a 100-yard interception returned for six right before the half that put Arizona in an emotional hole deeper than Lake Baikal and a goal line stand that prevented Pittsburgh from opening up a big lead early.
Endless heart, emotion and big plays ruled the night.
And no matter who you were rooting for, the Super Bowl was truly an enjoyable spectacle.

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