Super Bowl 43 Free Pick
The Arizona Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers have finally reached the pinnacle of their season: Super Bowl XLIII.
So, will we give our Super Bowl 43 Pick to the surprising, Cinderella Cardinals or go with the defensive-juggernaut in the Steelers?
Oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com have made the Steelers a -7 point spread favorite. The over/under for this game has been set at 47 total points.
Top Trends: The Steelers are 7-1 against the spread in their last eight games, while the over has covered in four of Pittsburgh’s last five games when playing in Arizona. The total has also gone over in five of the Cardinals’ last six games.
Key Stat: The Steelers are limiting opponents to just 13.9 points per game this season and just 157 passing yards, and 80.3 rushing yards per game. The Cardinals, meanwhile, are allowing 26.6 points per game and an average of over 110 yards per game on the ground.
Game Outlook: The Cardinals are a great story, they truly are. They’re also a very easy team to root for considering how much good Kurt Warner has done off the field and safety Adrian Wilson’s loyalty to the team. But one of two things will happen on Sunday. Either Arizona’s fairytale season is going to have a happy ending, or reality is going to come crashing down around the Cards.
The Steelers are flat out the better team and defense wins championships. Pittsburgh finished first in the NFL this season in total defense and we expect that its front seven will crash the pocket repeatedly and force Warner to make multiple mistakes. The Falcons, Panthers and Eagles couldn’t generate any pressure on Warner and with the help of explosive wideout Larry Fitzgerald, the veteran quarterback picked them apart. But in the third quarter of the NFC Championship Game, Philadelphia had the most success of any of the Cardinals’ three postseason victims in drumming up some defensive pressure. And wouldn’t you know it, the Eagles mounted a huge comeback. Warner has had an amazing season, but he’s highly immobile and doesn’t fare well when he can’t step up into the pocket and deliver passes in a quick manner.
We expect Pittsburgh will shut down Edgerrin James and the Cards’ running game, push the pocket backwards and not allow Warner to set his feet and be comfortable. We also expect Pittsburgh to force multiple turnovers, setting up Ben Roethlisberger and the Steeler offense with easy scoring opportunities. The Cardinals’ defense has played perfect football for a month, but they can’t be as opportunistic as they have been. As long as the Steelers don’t turn the ball over themselves, their defense will shut Warner down and produce a cover. In typical Pittsburgh fashion, the cover might not come until the fourth quarter after you’ve sweated off all the beer and food you consumed throughout the game, but nevertheless, we believe the cover will come.
Resist taking the under in this game, too. We know the Steelers’ defense is amazing, but we think turnovers will set both of these teams up for plenty of scoring opportunities.
Our Free NFL Pick for the Super Bowl XLIII matchup between the Arizona Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers game is
PITTSBURGH STEELERS -7
THESPREAD.com Projected Final Score
Pittsburgh Steelers 30
Arizona Cardinals 20
We also predict that this game will GO OVER THE TOTAL (47 Sportsbook.com) SET BY ODDSMAKERS
For the rest of our Super Bowl 43 Free Picks, including the coin toss, game MVP and what the game’s first score will be, see below.
THESPREAD.COM SUPER BOWL 43 PICKS – PROP BET PICKS:
Take Tails –101
“Heads” is overrated – tails never fails and considering there’s no juice at Sportsbook.com, this is a decent value bet at 50/50 odds.
Take Troy Polamalu at 10/1 to win Super Bowl XLIII MVP
If you think the Cardinals will win, take Kurt Warner because he’s the key to their success. (Yes, even more so than Larry Fitzgerald.) But if you want a true value bet, take Troy Polamalu, who is the x-factor in Super Bowl 43. He plays like a seeking missile and he can change the game in the blink of an eye. Chances are if the Steelers win, it’ll be because of defense and there’s a great chance that Polamalu makes a play that turns the game on its head.
Take ANY OTHER SCORE for “First Score of the Game Will Be”
A touchdown is currently –160, which is understandable considering the Cardinals’ offensive is so explosive. But considering the Pittsburgh defense is so good, chances are if Arizona moves the ball well on the opening drive, it’ll wind up falling short of the end zone and having to settle for a field goal.
More Super Bowl XLIII Coverage
– Super Bowl XLIII Start Time and TV Viewing Guide
– Odds to win Super Bowl XLIII
– Super Bowl XLIII Matchup Report
– Who is The Public Betting in Super Bowl XLIII?
– Super Bowl Picks: Our Top Prop Bets
– Arizona Cardinals – what are the future odds?
– Super Bowl 43 Picks – Why the Cardinals won’ win the 2009 Super Bowl
– Super Bowl XLIII Official Game Preview: Cardinals vs. Steelers
– Betting Public Likes Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII
– 2009 Super Bowl 43 MVP Betting Odds
– 2009 Super Bowl XLIII Betting Trends
– Arizona Cardinals keys to Cover
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Posted: 2/1/09 9:00AM ET