To play Devils advocate I'm going to break down the advantages for each team as I see them. Some of these are captain obvious to the tee.
Advantages for Pitt:
1. Again, Defense, defense, defense. You know the saying and you know the cliche about defense. Why? Because it's true. I believe that if you put a great offense vs a great defense, the great defense will prevail more often that not. Thats if their evenly matched in terms of their skill levels.
- I think this defense is better than great, IMO the best since the 2000 Ravens. Is Arizona's offense truely phenominal or are they merely very good? I think the answer lies in the environment they are playing in. At home, yes they are lights out. Away from home I peg them down a notch. Defense always travels friends.
2. Arizonas defense has been extremely opportunistic at times this year. There have been multiple games where they have forced 3 or more turnovers. Not coincidentally they won all of them. We can safely say they excel at turnovers and haven proven they can force them. However, they are not a great stop defense, as evidenced by the 330 yards per game, 4.1 ypc, 110 rushing yards, and 29 ppg they give up when not playing at home. This is also a defense that has allowed over 30 points 5 times this season, twice over 40, and once over 50. I am aware they are playing better in the playoffs but I will not discount these factors.
3. This is not the traditonal Pitt offense that runs the ball 35 times a game and occasionally hits a big pass on a trick play. This is the most balanced offense they have had in years, which gives them more of an advantage from a game plan standpoint. I don't see them putting up 30+ here but I am fully confident Pitt gets 300 yards minimum of total offense, as Zona cannot sell out on the run or pass completly. We know Parker and Holmes big play ability, and Miller and Ward's ability to keep the chains moving. I think Pitt will be able to move the ball on Zona, while I do not anticipate Zona moving the ball at a highly succesful consistent rate against Pitt.
4. Zona doesnt have the type of defense that Roethlisberger struggles with: Namely, a high pressure defense. Every game Pitt lost this year was to a team that had a high pressure scheme (Philly, NYG), or teams that have phenominal pass rushing defensive linemen (Indy, Titans). Roethlisberger has proven to be turnover prone at times, almost always when he is under a high degree of pressure. I will give the Cardinals credit for being opportunistic and they do a good job of forcing fumbles, but they are not what I would consider a great pass rushing team.
5. Pitt has won games away from Heinz field by an average of a touchdown per game. Zona has lost games away from the Pink Taco by an average of 5. Pitt is 6-2 away from home and Zona is 4-5 away from home. In short, Pitt travels much, much better. I also anticipate that the crowd will heavily be in favor of Pitt.
6. Scheme: Pitt's defense will make Arizona one dimensional, which means Warner needs to have the game of his life. Can he do it? Maybe. If he does I will be happy for him and will tip my hat. I don't see it playing out that way. I think a one dimensional team is in huge trouble against a team like Pitt that bring pressure even without an all-out blitz. LeBeau is also capable of coming up with schemes that can confuse even a cagey vet like Warner. Take the run out of the equation and Zona will be throwing 40+ times. Throwing 40+ times with an immobile QB against a great pass rushing team with an above average secondary with ball-hawking skills is not a good scenario
7. Im putting this last on the list because alot of people may discount it, but we saw what happened the last time the Steelers played a smaller, lesser known franchise from the AFC West in the Super Bowl. I don't think I need to elaborate, we all saw it and we all have an opinion on it.
... Way Over 
. So stopping the run meant forcing a subpar QB to beat them.....most couldnt. Played 2 Warner caliber players all season (Rivers and P. Manning).....manning beat them on the road and Rivers was in both games on the road.....
Hot Forum Topics
