Super Bowl / Andy Richmond / 30 January 2009 / Leave a comment

While most analysts will be focusing on the clash between the high octane Arizona Cardinals offence and the bruising Pittsburgh Steelers defence, Andy Richmond is keen to flip the equation on its head to find an equally absorbing battle between the Cardinals defence and the Steelers offence.

The Cardinals' defence and the Steelers' offence have been much maligned at various stages of the season but both have stepped up throughout the post season to deliver their teams to the big day. To my mind it will be this sub-plot that provides the key to Superbowl XLIII.

Heath Miller, Santonio Holmes and Willie Parker are three parts of the Pittsburgh offence that will need to function effectively on Sunday.

Running back Parker's season has been blighted by injury and he has been operating behind an struggling offensive line. Parker doesn't fit the mould of the majority of running backs his size. At 5-10, 209 pounds, he's not big, but his no-nonsense, straight-ahead running style is more reminiscent of far bigger running backs. And make no mistake, Parker is the clear-cut No. 1 horse in the Steelers' RB stable. He carried the ball 27 and 24 times in Pittsburgh's two post-season games against the Chargers and Ravens. His speed kills defences and, if he does find a seam on Sunday, then watch him go.

Tight end Heath Miller is another unassuming cog in the Pittsburgh offence. He was a factor in the Steelers' 35-24 divisional play-off victory over the Chargers, catching three passes for 37 yards, including an eight-yard TD pass from Ben Roethlisberger in the third quarter that gave the Steelers a 21-10 lead. One week later in the hard-hitting AFC championship win over the Ravens, he made his presence felt with three catches for 62 yards, including a long of 30 yards.

The Eagles used their tight end to great effect against the Cardinals and expect Miller to play a prominent part in a large amount of snaps on Sunday.

To conclude my Pittsburgh trio, WR Santonio Holmes, combines excellent quickness with outstanding running and catching ability. He's a very good deep route receiver, and in three NFL seasons, he's averaging 16.6 yards per reception.

Holmes is a versatile receiver with an ability to make quick and decisive moves. He can evade and break tackles. He will catch the ball coming across the middle, has good hands and will block downfield. Of course, Holmes is also a dangerous factor in the return game.

At various times the Cardinals defence has had its problems but throughout the post-season they have denied some of the better offences and stepped up on their regular season play.

Three of the leaders in that improved effort are sure to feature on Sunday if the Cardinals are to win. They are cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, safety Adrian Wilson and defensive tackle Darnell Dockett.

Rodgers-Cromartie has progressed since entering the Cardinals line-up on a permanent basis in week nine. He has covered two Pro Bowl wide receivers (Atlanta's Roddy White, Carolina's Steve Smith) and outstanding Eagles rookie DeSean Jackson. The Cardinals rookie won a high percentage of the battles in all three matchups. Rodgers-Cromartie looks to have added weight without losing any speed - and he has made six interceptions in his last nine games. He has outstanding quickness an uncanny ability to find the ball and is a very good tackler.

In 230-pound Adrian Wilson, the Cards boast an enforcer in the secondary that neither of the Steelers' previous playoff opponents did. For that matter, Wilson packs a punch from his strong safety position that perhaps no other NFL team boasts.

Although solid in coverage, Wilson is at his best close to the line of scrimmage. He operates with a linebacker's mentality, and his muscular physique makes him look the part.

He'll play a huge part in containing the Pittsburgh run on Sunday and the dangerous Willie Parker as the emergence of Rodgers-Cromartie has allowed him to creep closer to the line of scrimmage and play far more aggressively than before.

The the final player I'll mention is DE Darnell Dockett. Dockett, one of the game's most disruptive players at his position, could have a major impact on this game. The Steelers' offensive line has had problems with quick interior pass rushers in the last two seasons, and Dockett could give Pittsburgh major problems.

So pay attention to this six pack on Sunday as they may have more than a bit part in this play in four quarters.