Pink's Super Bowl Pick

In case you haven’t been following along, I’m 7-3 in the playoffs. And now, the wait is almost over. There are two more days until the most-hyped professional sporting event of the year takes place in Tampa, Fla.

By the time the game is actually played, the media will have force-fed fans enough useless information to diminish some of the enthusiasm for the game itself. All of that will be forgotten, however, once that pre-game hype and hoopla is done with and the game — and its million-dollar ads — finally take center stage.

The big question, of course, is who is going to win Super Bowl XLIII — the vaunted Pittsburgh Steelers and their league-best defense or the Cinderella Arizona Cardinals and their high-flying aerial show?

This matchup represents an interesting contrast to last year’s game between the undefeated New England Patriots and the New York Giants. The Patriots needed to win the Super Bowl to complete an undefeated season and the possibility of that happening led to the largest audience in Super Bowl history. This year’s game may lack that type of intrigue, but there are still plenty of good story lines to attract the fans’ attention.  

Last year it was quarterback Tom Brady vs. Eli Manning. This year, it’s Big Ben Roethlisberger vs. Kurt Warner. Wide receivers Larry Fitzgerald of the Cardinals and Hines Ward of the Steelers have replaced the likes of Randy Moss and Plaxico Burriss as players to watch on the receiving end of passes.

Yes, the game has its share of star power, some established and some in the making. Defensive player of the year, linebacker James Harrison, along with star safety Troy Polamalu, anchors the Steeler defense, while cornerback Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie and safeties Antrel Rolle and Adrian Wilson lead the resurgent Cardinal defense.

The fact that Steeler head coach Mike Timlin, his counterpart, Ken Whisenhunt, and his line coach, Russ Grimm, were all on the Steeler coaching staff together less than two years ago adds additional intrigue to this match-up.

What I truly hope for first and foremost is a good if not great game. With that said I see the game unfolding like this: The Cardinals get on the board first and grab an early 7-0 lead on a Warner-to-Fitzgerald touchdown pass. The Steelers come back with a pair of field goals and the first half ends with the Cards leading 7-6.

As has been the case, the Steeler defense will take complete control of the game in the second half, while at the same time Big Ben and company finally get the offense going. The Steelers will score two unanswered touchdowns to stretch the lead to 20-7 before giving up a meaningless late score by the Cards to make the final 20-14.

I think there is a great chance of the game ending with the Cards giving up the ball on downs in the midfield area. Just keep in mind that regardless of whom you want to win, there are other ways of measuring success on Super Bowl Sunday. Super Bowl parties share the mantel with the game itself.

It is no secret that we are in the midst of a suffocating recession, which at this point has altered the lifestyle of almost everyone, especially the less fortunate. In the spirit of giving, why don’t those of us who are able double up our Super Bowl Sunday supplies and drop the extras off at any number of worthy organizations? They can either distribute them, have a party of their own or stock their shelves for future use and distribution.

Keep in mind that the needs of the less fortunate do not go away after Super Bowl Sunday. These same folks will wake up the following Monday morning and their circumstances will not have changed. Wouldn’t it be nice if we all shared our bounty with those in need not only on Super Bowl Sunday but also in the days, weeks and months ahead?

Please consider dropping off any and all foodstuff to the Winsted Area Soup Kitchen, the Salvation Army or maybe the family down the street that you know is struggling. Rest assured, it will be greatly appreciated.

At the same time, enjoy your Super Bowl party and the good feelings that come as a result of your generosity and kindness directed toward others.

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