Congratulations to the Pittsburgh Steelers for cliching a spot in the Super Bowl! The way was definitely not the easiest one for this ball club. Playing the toughest schedule this year (and toughest in decades) the Steelers would have done well to go 8-8 this year but they prevailed. This team buckled up, strapped up their chin straps and went to work. You have to admire the workman like (if not herculean) effort they have put forth this year. I have been a Steeler fan for as long as I can remember and I do not recall there being a better Steeler Defense than the current version. Sunday's game was as tough as it could get in a Conference Final but Steel Curtain 2.0 held up - now it is off to face the Arizona Cardinals.
Shout outs to Troy Polamalu for an incredibly stout performance versus the Ravens. Going into this game much debate has been made concerning how he stacks up next to the great Safeties of the NFL and I think much of that debate is mute now.
Bonus Note: NFL Trend:
The Safety position has become probably the most valuable position in the NFL today. All the teams that made it to the Conference Finals had great play from both Safety positions throughout their playoff run. This year is the year of the Safeties. The Super Bowl will be determined by which Safety tandem shows up to play. I have to go with the team of Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark over Adrian Wilson and Antrelle Rolle. Either way it is going to be a clash of the titans. FWP will have better success (compared to Edge) in making the safeties commit to the run game and this will be the difference in the game.
Early prediction:
Steelers 41 - Arizona 7
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
43 Club - Black and Gold
