Super Bowl Countdown: On the Road to Tampa

[Editor's Note: With the Super Bowl only a few days away, SportsJudge continues its daily coverage of the big game with a preview from Jordan Zucker of Girls Guide to Fantasy Football. Be sure to check back every day this week at 1pm for different perspectives from the SportsJudge community. Be sure to check out Mike Colligan's 31-17 Steelers prediction, Matt Cohen's 31-28 Cardinals prediction, and Joe Romano's 27-17 Steelers prediction if you haven't already.]

I feel I have better claim to call myself a sports advocate, reporter, or writer than a sports expert. But I’ll break down the road to the Su Pa Bo by position and notes from my all girls League Home Sauce draft.

QB: Warner vs. Roethlisberger – advantage Cardinals

Warner was drafted in the 11th round as a back up to Carson Palmer (her proudest draft move). Roethlisberger went at the beginning of round 3, the 5th QB to go.

RB1: Edge vs. Fast Willie – advantage Steelers

In our draft, Willie Parker was solely responsible for a bunch of hangovers. We have a rule that if you try to draft a player already taken, you have to do a tequila shot. About half of the girls went for Willie after he was already on the board. In their defense, Willie went in the first round, and he was ranked and predicted to go much later, so when the girls were expecting to hear his name called they had forgotten that he was long gone. (cross him off next time!!) “Is Willie Parker really good looking?” asked Timekeeper Mitch? “Why are all of the girls trying to draft him?!?!”
Here’s why: Willie is a stud. Yes, he was overworked last year. Yes, he’s liable to be out with injuries, but he can go big.

RB2: Hightower vs. Moore – advantage Cardinals

Neither player was drafted (both picked up off the waiver wire). Hightower eeks the win due to the goal line carries and hence double the TDs.

WR1: Fitzgerald vs. Ward – advantage Cardinals

Duh. No offense Hines, but Larry is the best, especially for a pasty Irish guy… oh, wait. If it were a smiling contest Hines would win. Larry was drafted in the 3rd round, the 7th WR to go. Hines went in the 9th round, so both produced great value for their draft positions.

WR2: Boldin vs. Holmes – advantage Cardinals

But both have a great ass. Anquan went in the 5th and Santonio went in the 3rd (to a huge Steelers fan though…)

TE: Pope vs. Miller – advantage Steelers

Not the best comparison since the Cardinals rarely target the TE (Who would need to with Fitzgerald, Boldin, and Breaston on the team?) Miller was drafted in the 7th round, 7th TE on the board.

K: Rackers vs. Reed – wash

I mean really.
Both went in the 2nd round of our draft. Kidding. Rackers went in the last round and Reed was picked up off the wire early in season.

D/ST: Cardinals vs. Steelers – advantage Steelers
This warrants an explanation like the WR category did.

Experience – advantage Steelers

It’s the Cardinals first time to the Su Pa Bo ever, while the Steelers have been 6 times before, only losing one of them. They are tied for most wins (5) with the Cowboys and 49’ers.
Of course this gives the under-dog advantage to the Cardinals.
Both team's fans and uniforms are fine (it’s not like Oakland or Cincinnati is playing… coincidence?)

Conclusion: I know it is said that “Defenses win championships.” Someone should have told that to the Bears two years ago when they lost to the Colts. I’m going with the Cardinals.

Prediction: AZ 24 – PIT 20
Breakdown:
AZ – Fitzgerald TD, Boldin TD, Hightower TD, Rackers FG
PIT – Parker TD, Reed FG, Holmes TD, Reed FG

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