Mac's Super Bowl XLIII Prediction

Like in last year's playoff predictions, I'm heading into the Super Bowl with a 6-4 record.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Arizona Cardinals

Few results in this year's Super Bowl would come as a surprise.

If Pittsburgh wins, the experts will point to their dominating defense, vast playoff experience, and the leadership ability of Ben Roethlisberger as the main reasons why. If Arizona wins, it'll be due to their high-scoring offense, lead by the unflappable Kurt Warner, and a defense that got its act together at just the right time.

Who Will Win and Why?

Despite Kurt Warner's ability to read opposing defenses, and despite his stable of talented receivers, the third quarter of the NFC Championship Game is proof that if you bring pressure, Warner will struggle. In those 15 minutes, Warner was 1-for-4 for 4 yards, was hit twice and sacked once. The only completion he had was to himself, when he inadvertantely caught his own pass, and the Eagles scored 13 points to trim the Cardinals' lead from 18 to 5 points.

Seeing how no team puts pressure on opposing quarterbacks like Pittsburgh does, I suspect Warner will struggle, which is something Arizona won't be able to overcome.

Mac's Pick: Steelers 30, Cardinals 12

Mac's MVP Pick: LaMarr Woodley/James Harrison, LBs, Pittsburgh