STONE COLD LEAD PIPE DOCKS - SUPER BOWL EDITION

Another crazy football season is coming to an end, which sucks, because there is nothing better to do, than watching football every Sunday with your buddies. This NFL season for me overall wasn't an enjoyable one though. The Bears struggled, AGAIN! And betting wise, it didn't work out as planned as well. I was up a ton of units earlier this year, but unfortunately, I gave it all back in the final weeks of the league, pretty much breaking even for the year.

Anyways, I hope today's game is at least a good one! Hopefully we can make today a winning day for everyone, so here goes! Gluck everyone!

Suman aka Richboy's Pick:
(Overall Record - 14-10-1)

Cardinals + 7

Well we are finally here. I have gone back and forth about 20 times on this pick. I don't think I've seen a Super Bowl where there is no line movement at all, and where picks are almost perfectly 50/50 down the middle. And while I hate doing it because of the ramifications if I'm wrong (namely getting badgered by a big Steelers fan on our email list) I have to do it. I'm taking the Arizona Cardinals, Norman Chad's "Team of Destiny."

Its true this is a great Steelers defense who has several members who have been here before. And it can also be said that there is nothing great about this Arizona team, other than they have been playing great the last few games. Have they just gotten a few lucky times, and will they receive a chin check today?

I don't think so.

I read a trend that 87% of the time in the Super Bowl, that team that wins covers. So I'm not just picking the Cardinals to cover, I think they win straight up. Its Kurt Warner, one of the best big game QB's ever throwing the ball to the best WR in football (a lot). Remember, the last time Big Ben was in the Super Bowl he had a rating of 22. Its not so much that he won the Super Bowl, its that he did just enough not to lose it (and maybe had some help from the refs if I remember). Well in a game like this, in perfect weather conditions, I don't think game managing is going to be enough. I just have a feeling its going to turn into a shootout of sorts, and in a shootout I'd rather have the gunslinger than the brawler. Kurt Warner is the gunslinger, Big Ben is the brawler.

Add to this that Hines Ward, the Steelers most important receiver can't be 100% (no way after that gruesome twist of his knee). He'll play no doubt, and he'll probably make plays too because he's that tough, but no way he's 100%.

I think the Cardinals will jump out to an early lead. The Cardinals can go 3 deep at WR, and have some pretty good TE's too. So I think they'll hit a couple of early plays. Don't forget that Edge James is one of the best blocking RB's in the history of the league. When James Harrison and Lamarr Woodley are going to be trying to knock Warner out from the get go, thats important. Warner gets rid of the ball, he doesn't hold onto it, so I think he can pop off some big plays on some of these blitzes. And if that happens, then the Steelers will have to rely on their offense instead of their defense.

If this game were being played in the mud or snow in Pittsburgh I'd love the Steelers. But on the fast track of TB, I see the Cardinals somehow taking the one. And in an era where nothing is going to plan, where the Tampa Bay Rays made it to a World Series and a team from Philly actually won, why not have the Arizona Cardinals as the Super Bowl Champs. I'll be back later with some prop bets hopefully. If I'm not that means I'm already drunk.

Vik aka Docksquad's Pick:
(Overall Record - 46-38-5)

Steelers -6.5 (bought hook)

There is a saying that says Defense wins Championships. I know that is played out now, but I am a firm believer in just that. Even this year when you looked at the final four teams that were left in the playoffs, 3 out of the 4 had top 10 defenses. It is the same thing year in and year out, so nothing has changed with that this year. I think the Steelers will win this game, and cover, because of just that. This Steelers team statistically on the defensive side of the ball is great. We all know if this turns into a shootout, then the Cards will win. But if it turns into a grind it out, physical football game, then the Steelers win this game by 10plus. I look for them to impose their will on the Cards today in the big game. I see them pressuring and battering Warner a lot today, not allowing him to get through his progressions, or make the big plays that the Cards usually make to win games. I see Warner having a couple of turnovers today, and I think that will be the difference in this one too. Big Ben will do just enough on offense, and FWP is looking like he is back fully healed and ready to go for this game. Look for a big game from him. Hines Ward should be ready to go too, which is huge for the Steelers. I also think Mike Tomlin is a pretty underrated coach, and he deserves some props. I think he will have the Steelers ready for this one. In the end, I honestly hope I am wrong about this pick. I never say that, but I truly do want the Cards to win. What is there not to like about this squad? I love Boldin and Fitz as players, and Warner is an amazing QB. I don't care what anyone says, win or lose this game, Warner is a HOF QB, hands down. While I hope they can persevere and win this game and this Cinderella story continues, I just think the clock will strike midnight today for this Cards team. Let's see how it pans out, I'm just hoping for a good game. Gluck everyone!