This one really was super; Update:Yes, they reviewed the fumble
posted at 7:59 am on February 2, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
I recall that headline on a magazine after the Steelers beat the Cowboys in Super Bowl XIII, 35-31. Since I’m old enough to have seen and remembered all six of the Pittsburgh Super Bowl victories, I can say that last night’s come-from-behind win tops them all. In fact, it may top all previous 42 games for drama and gut checks on both sidelines.
Yesterday, I wrote that the Arizona Cardinals couldn’t keep up with the more experienced Steelers, but they proved something last night. They came back from 13 points down to take the lead against the top-rated defense in the league in the biggest game of the year. No matter what, that should make the Cards and their fans proud of their performance. On that penultimate drive, they looked like champs, and Pittsburgh fans started using those Terrible Towels as crying rags.
But a funny thing happened afterwards. People had written off the Steeler offense as a mere adjunct of the defense, and analysts talked endlessly how Ben Roethlisberger’s success came from not losing games. The defense last night got beaten for 400+ yards, although they scored a critical touchdown on their own with James Harrison’s 100-yard interception runback. When it looked like the Steelers had lost, Roethlisberger and Santonio Holmes won the game with what will be a legendary 4th-quarter comeback drive, topped by an impossibly perfect pass and catch. In fact, it was so impossible that Roethlisberger told ESPN’s Chris Berman that he thought he’d thrown an interception into triple coverage.
The Steelers have won four-point victories in Super Bowls before, in X and XIII, but in both cases the Cowboys crawled back into the game after nearly being routed. Last year’s shocker with the Giants beating the undefeated Patriots had great drama as well, but no one wrote off the Giants nearly as much as people had the Cardinals. If Super Bowl XLIII isn’t the greatest Super Bowl of all time, it’s close to it, and both teams deserve the credit for that.
Update: Yes, Warner’s final fumble was reviewed in the booth. The announcers noted the review during the game, and the league put out a statement afterwards confirming it. Warner didn’t have control of the ball when his arm started moving forward, which makes it a fumble:
According to NFL VP of Officiating Mike Pereira, the replay official upstairs did see the play clearly.
“We confirmed it was a fumble,” said Pereira. “The replay assistant in the replay booth saw it was clearly a fumble. The ball got knocked loose and was rolling in his hand before it started forward. He has to have total control.”
I’m not sure how the “no-review” meme got started, as Al Michaels reported that the review had taken place before the Steelers came to the line and upheld the call on the field. The rule is that the QB has to have total control of the ball after contact for it to be considered a pass and not a fumble, and that obviously wasn’t the case.
Blowback
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*pukes*
Theworldisnotenough on February 2, 2009 at 8:05 AM
The Hutch didn’t call this one correctly. Neither did that psychic from er, Arizona. What a great game though.
hawkdriver on February 2, 2009 at 8:05 AM
By the way, right toe not down in bounds.
rightside on February 2, 2009 at 8:08 AM
The last two Super Bowls were both great games and very similar in how they played out. Last year, when Brady connected with Moss for the TD to go ahead, I thoguht it was over, and yet, the Giants managed an improbable comeback. The same thing occurred last night. I thought the Warner TD had sealed the deal. Since 2000, we have had a number of great games, which is better than it used to be when the Super Bowls were routinely a blow out…
RedSoxNation on February 2, 2009 at 8:08 AM
yes I was thinking the same thing. ben and Holmes last night reminded me of Bradshaw and Swan. Even coke went down memory lane a little with an new stupider version of the mean joe green coke commercial. That was what football should be. Both sides made mistakes, both had crucial penalities, the refs were a little bit off last night but from the coaches down to the kick off and punt teams all players played their top performance. Kurt Warner was the starbuck to Ben’s bradshaw. The only thing that would have made it better would have been some snow and mud.
unseen on February 2, 2009 at 8:09 AM
100 yards in penalties didn’t help the Cards at all.
loudmouth883 on February 2, 2009 at 8:10 AM
By the way, right toe not down in bounds.
rightside on February 2, 2009 at 8:08 AM
yeah the refs and every announcer missed that but you saw it clearly. OK there
unseen on February 2, 2009 at 8:10 AM
BTW, yes it was.
I’ll admit I’m a Philly fan by birth, but was excited to see the Steelers win that one in such TEH AWESOME fashion.
Phillies bring home a championship in the Fall Classic, then the Steelers win one of the greatest Super Bowls in history.
Pennsylvania – the state of champions!
Good Lt on February 2, 2009 at 8:11 AM
Good game but in my opinion, the Cards outplayed the Steelers. Think about it. With over 100 yards in penalties and the Cards still were able to take a lead late…..
With that many penalties, the Cards should not of been even close, but they were and almost won the game.
My hats off more to the Cards for what they’ve done more so than the Steelers. The Steelers were expected to win. Warner and a young, first time visit to the Super Bowl team, nearly pulled off a major upset. Had the Steelers been the team with over 100 yards in penalties, the Cards wouldve won handidly.
Congrats Steelers but I wouldnt pat yourselves on the back too much. The Cards should have won that game last night.
bucsox79 on February 2, 2009 at 8:12 AM
Ed, all your hyperbole about the “best game evah” aside and despite my genetic disdain for the Steelers as a NE Patriots fan – I am obligated to say congrats to you and your Steelers on their championship. Everyone please stop offering half-congrats with gripes about calls, penalties, etc…you sound like politicians who offer the standard non-apology apologies…”if anyone was truly offended that I drove that girl off the bridge and left her for dead, then I am sorry…” Congrats on your six-pack. Back to hating them tomorrow.
Huckabye-Romney on February 2, 2009 at 8:12 AM
it was a good game, but I enjoyed last year’s result more than this one, especially since I was pulling for Kurt Warner. Oh well, I am still glad they made it a game.
funsutton on February 2, 2009 at 8:12 AM
The best game we could have asked for… except for Arizona winning, that is.
And I agree: the right toe was not down and I’ll bet there’s a camera angle that proves it.
/ducks
rockbend on February 2, 2009 at 8:13 AM
As a member of the Raider Nation, I hate all things Steeler. However, that was one of the best final drives I have ever seen. Holmes was in bounds.
However, the Refs made some BS calls against the Cards. One thing that is a constant when the Steelers are playing big games are the utterly wrong calls.
One of the best Super Bowls ever.
Krydor on February 2, 2009 at 8:13 AM
By the way, right toe not down in bounds.
rightside on February 2, 2009 at 8:08 AM
150 million other viewers, refs, replay officials and sports analysts would disagree with you.
Bishop on February 2, 2009 at 8:13 AM
Neither team was the Seahawks, so I didn’t care…
Were any of the commercials good?
Frozen Tex on February 2, 2009 at 8:14 AM
bucsox79 on February 2, 2009 at 8:12 AM
the steelers should have been up 31 to7 going into the 4th qrt. the failure of the steelers to score touchdowns on 1st and goal three times was the reason it was close at the end.
unseen on February 2, 2009 at 8:14 AM
Not only was it Super..here in Tucson we got the added benefit of watching a free porno clip after the last Fitzerald touchdown. The cable station is still trying to figure out how this happened. Reminded me of that movie Used Cars if anybody remembers that one.
John Doe on February 2, 2009 at 8:15 AM
Clearly crossed over behind the left foot and NOT touching. Also, last play…arm CLEARLY going forward. Yes, I hate Pittsburgh (and Pennsylvania in general). :-D
SouthernGent on February 2, 2009 at 8:16 AM
Cards definitely outplayed the Steelers, every single break went Pittsburgh’s way. A couple of roughing the passer/kicker penalties on AZ that should not have been called.
commodore on February 2, 2009 at 8:17 AM
Not really. The commercials were not very impressive. And how is it that these godaddy commercials are still allowed to air during a “family” event? Seriously, we get it, you want to be shocking etc etc etc. But enough is enough. The purposeful attempt to shock with sexual inuendo and images is immature. Especially during an event like the Super Bowl when many kids are watching.
It just gets worse and worse every year.
bucsox79 on February 2, 2009 at 8:17 AM
Clearly crossed over behind the left foot and NOT touching. Also, last play…arm CLEARLY going forward. Yes, I hate Pittsburgh (and Pennsylvania in general). :-D
SouthernGent on February 2, 2009 at 8:16 AM
I think you’ve been hitting the unicorn horn too much because you aren’t living in reality. Both feet in and a fumble.
unseen on February 2, 2009 at 8:18 AM
Reviewed in the booth, toe was down unless you have some clear evidence otherwise.
However, at the end Warner’s elbow was going forward.
Damn fine game, not better than last year’s, only because I’m a Giants fan.
rbj on February 2, 2009 at 8:18 AM
Awesome game. I really enjoyed every minute because I didn’t care who won, although right at kick-off I decided to go with the Steelers simply ’cause I’m an east coast guy.
Harrison’s heroic 100-yard int return for a TD was completely negated by that really cheap personal foul late in the game. He should have been ejected.
flipflop on February 2, 2009 at 8:18 AM
Maybe I was getting the feed from a different game. Turned it off in boredom by halftime and we watched Adult Swim instead of catching the “super” finish. No complaints though, I always enjoy an excuse to make too much food.
LastRick on February 2, 2009 at 8:18 AM
Cards definitely outplayed the Steelers, every single break went Pittsburgh’s way. A couple of roughing the passer/kicker penalties on AZ that should not have been called.
commodore on February 2, 2009 at 8:17 AM
So you def of outplaying a team is getting a couple good passes and just forgetting about the other 45 minutes of play?
unseen on February 2, 2009 at 8:19 AM
I loved the game, but the commercials were not as funny as years past. The budweiser ones were funny..with the clysdales(sp) and the new e-trade commercials with the investing baby and his new friend were the only 2 I liked.
If the cards had had a better 1st half, things may have been different but I give them kudos for taking the lead in the 2nd.
becki51758 on February 2, 2009 at 8:21 AM
The officiating was abyssmal. The roughing call against the Cards on Roethlesberger was a joke, as was not reviewing the last pass by Warner deemed a fumble. It was not.
Whisenhunt had to use two challenges to correct the officiating and if permitted would have challenged the Warner pass.
If that was overturned (as it should have been) coupled with the 15 yarder, the Cards would have had one shot at the end zone.
awake on February 2, 2009 at 8:24 AM
Biggest comeback in Super Bowl history, no?
jgapinoy on February 2, 2009 at 8:25 AM
yeah, harrison should have been ejected for that personal foul.
kelley in virginia on February 2, 2009 at 8:26 AM
I love Warner & was pulling for the Cards, but it was a fumble.
jgapinoy on February 2, 2009 at 8:26 AM
Hey unseen-
You’ve got to admit: your pre-ordained, all-powerful Steelers darn near LOST to… the Arizona Cardinals!
bwahahaha
rockbend on February 2, 2009 at 8:26 AM
I called it 27-21 for Pittsburgh. Man, I should’ve put some coin on that.
Super Bowl fun fact. The winning touchdown the last two games came with exactly 35 seconds left.
JammieWearingFool on February 2, 2009 at 8:27 AM
As that lady was interviewing him immediately after the game, praising him for the interception return, I was yelling at her, “Ask him about his thuggishness!”
jgapinoy on February 2, 2009 at 8:28 AM
*Yawn* Football is so boring.
Aronne on February 2, 2009 at 8:28 AM
I hated Pittsburgh (the entire city) before, but I just read that the owner of the Steelers thanked Obama for the victory? WHAT THE HELL IS THAT???? True? If so, I REALLY hate Shittsburgh now!!
RWLA on February 2, 2009 at 8:29 AM
But in reality, the Cardinals lost the game and won nothing.
Excuses are like ass*oles – everyone has one and they are all full of crap.
Good Lt on February 2, 2009 at 8:31 AM
I would have to say the best Super Bowl was last year (Giants fan here). But the fourth quarter last night made the game interesting. I really thought the Cards could actually win even though their defense lacked and Warner was not on his A-game. Kudos to the Steelers. That some kind of touchdown at the last minute of the game as well as that 100 yard touchdown earlier.
jencab on February 2, 2009 at 8:31 AM
yea..I heard that. I wasnt impressed either because I didnt know Obama was playing.
becki51758 on February 2, 2009 at 8:32 AM
Doritos had the best commercials.
When I saw it live, I didn’t think he was inbounds, but the replays clearly showed both feet touching. Last play should have been reviewed.
The interception return remains the play of the game. 14 point swing, and if he hadn’t made it across the goalline, the Steelers would have gotten nothing or had to settle for 3.
Interesting that each Pittsurgh touchdown, including the one that was overturned, was a matter of inches.
aunursa on February 2, 2009 at 8:34 AM
It only counts if you win.
Rams came back from 14 down against New England in 2002. But the Patriots won.
Biggest comeback was 10 points — Washington over Denver. Washington trailed 10-0, won 42-10.
aunursa on February 2, 2009 at 8:36 AM
College football take note: THIS is how you determine a champion.
PackerBronco on February 2, 2009 at 8:37 AM
I think it was a great game. I also think that he got both feet down in bounds for the last TD. The bad call was when they ruled an incomplete pass a fumble at the end, with no review?? The big game changing play was clearly the 100 yard return for a TD on the last play of the first half making the score 17-7 in favor of the Steelers instead of 10-14 for the Cards.
Dollayo on February 2, 2009 at 8:40 AM
The right toe was down in the end zone. It was an amazing catch.
However, Harrison was down before the ball crossed the end zone. It should have been a 99-yard almost-touchdown return.
Great game, though. I though the Cards had lost it when they gave up 4 personal fouls on that Steeler drive, but they held them to 3 pts. It was impressive.
Nethicus on February 2, 2009 at 8:42 AM
Yes, they reviewed the fumble. See my update.
Ed Morrissey on February 2, 2009 at 8:43 AM
Thanks for the update Ed. Don’t know how I missed that. I was concentrating on Kurt’s elbow which looked to me like it was going forward before the ball was loose. But I don’t have HD tv.
rbj on February 2, 2009 at 8:46 AM
Great game. Wish I’d gone to Vegas, though.
Mr. D on February 2, 2009 at 8:48 AM
You’ve got to admit: your pre-ordained, all-powerful Steelers darn near LOST to… the Arizona Cardinals!
Who beat the preordained Eagles and preordained Panthers before meeting the Steelers.
Lotsa sour grapes here today.
One more time for this season: If you aren’t a Steelers fan, you are probably a liberal. ‘Nuff said.
Bishop on February 2, 2009 at 8:48 AM
4th quarter – best evah!
Rest of game – not so much.
I mean, WTF was that first half? Arizona didn’t even show up and yet Pittsburgh’s offense could only score 10 points on them.
I didn’t care who won, but I thought the Cardinals were completely hosed by the officials. The roughing call was a joke, Roethlisberger got away with at least two intentional groundings that were not called, and there was a gigantic block in the back on Harrison’s interception return that should have negated it. Fitzgerald was held a few times and Pittsburgh was not called.
rockmom on February 2, 2009 at 8:50 AM
hahaha…I am not a Steeler fan and I am definitely NOT a liberal…neither are my daughters. :)
becki51758 on February 2, 2009 at 8:52 AM
Hmmmmmm, I don’t like it. The rule has been screwed up ever since the notorious “tuck” rule was established in the Raider/Pats game a few years back. Here Warner got the ball out and it went forward, I’ve seen “shovel passes” where the QB has less control than Warner did what were never ruled a fumble. This rule needs to be reviewed in the off season.
Dollayo on February 2, 2009 at 8:52 AM
I love the Einsteins with all the theories about the right toe. They are all pro coaches and experts and KNOW the Cards would have won without that call. And they all saw it so clearly on their TV with dust and dog hair all over the screen. My original saying: You find a lotta faith in fools.
BTW Does Dan Rooney still call himself a Catholic? I am tempted to call the Steelers today to find out if he goes to church and has he noticed that The One he was ‘shouting out’ to thinks most kids are fair game till, oh..age seven or so. I’m not prolife but I love the Catholic Church ignoring this.
IlikedAUH2O on February 2, 2009 at 8:53 AM
My husband and I were hollering “Tuck Rule!!!” when that happened. Raiders fans must have been furious watching Pittsburgh get that call.
rockmom on February 2, 2009 at 8:56 AM
They really need to be consistent on this rule. In this case it looked to me that Warner threw it forward with a guy hanging on his arm. That should be an incomplete pass not a fumble. I think the tuck rule is stupid, if you can’t “tuck it away” before you get tackled it is by definition a fumble. But in this case, it left his hand and went forward in with a throwing motion. The refs blew it.
Dollayo on February 2, 2009 at 9:04 AM
Az got screwed, IMO, along with some bad luck.
alot of the penalties were ridiculous, and its amazing how Anderson barely got that TD before the half.
if not for a 100 yard pick-7 at the very end of the half, Az wins this one easily.
jp on February 2, 2009 at 9:19 AM
Seriously? This was their answer for not sharing their opinion from the booth review which took all of about 20 seconds?
So I take it that any pass that gets away a little from a quarterback will now be deemed a fumble? I thought the rule was the empty hand? Warner did not have the empty hand and the pass moved FORWARD.
I had no dog in the race yesterday being a Jints fan, but the zebras need to get the hell out of being the biggest deciders in the outcome of these games already.
awake on February 2, 2009 at 9:19 AM
The Steelers almost blew it from dirty play. Several personal fouls late in the game. I hate it when teams like that win – reminds me of the last election…
Hendo on February 2, 2009 at 9:20 AM
Good update. Warner’s arm, elbow, hand and everything else were moving forward, but he didn’t have possession of the ball anymore. He basically pushed or batted the ball forward after if was jostled from his hand. That’s not a pass, it’s a fumble.
I’m glad too, because I wasn’t looking forward to a jump ball in the end zone on the last play.
Also, I don’t understand what LeBeau was thinking on the last 3 Cards scoring drives when he dropped his safeties so deep they were pretty much nonfactors in coverage and then had to chase Fitzgerald and Bolden after they caught the ball and were already moving full speed right up the middle. Bad strategy, but the offense bailed him out in the end. If you’re going to get burnt on a long pass, at least make them throw a long pass! Don’t just let them catch 10 yarders and run on every play.
forest on February 2, 2009 at 9:21 AM
as a Panthers fan, this game reminded me alot of that superbowl and how the Panthers lost. Came down to who had the ball last.
I’m sure Az fans are devistated, to lose like that and get hosed by the officials throughout the game.
jp on February 2, 2009 at 9:22 AM
The personal fouls? Too many and so bogus. The QB roughing penalty against AZ was absurd, as was the roughing the holder. The guy tripped and was practically falling down.
Two peronals on the Steelers? one on Harrison for about 1/2 a yard (after the judgement call that possession had already changed), unlike the field goal by Pitt., and the second, 15 yards against on the kneel.
Far too much influence from the refs. Let the players play.
awake on February 2, 2009 at 9:25 AM
Giants fan by birth here, which means that last year’s SB is my all-time favorite.
I have a cousin who lives near Philly, but is a fan of the Steelers.
Bigfoot on February 2, 2009 at 9:28 AM
A personal foul for running over the holder was 100% correct. It doesn’t matter if he was stumbling or not. He wasn’t pushed into the kicker by a Steeler and he bowled over the holder without getting a block. 15 yard penalty every time.
The roughing call was close – maybe shouldn’t have been called.
forest on February 2, 2009 at 9:30 AM
Sincere congrats to Ed and his Steelers. Holmes should have been named MVP with that catch in the corner of the EZ. Officiating was questionable. Both teams had too many personal fouls that made the game ugly and despite a great performance by Warner, he knew there was too much time on the clock when they took the lead. (remembering the Monday Night game when Elway scored the go ahead TD, but left 1:26 on the clock and Montana, (then with KC) went 96 yds to win the game.)
Officiating, (and bad calls) aside, congrats to the Cardinals for causing all those Steeler fans to bite off all their fingernails.
p.s. Big Ben’s scrambling, (for a big guy), also made a big difference in this game.
Rovin on February 2, 2009 at 9:34 AM
The Steeler guy holding down and punching one of the cardinals then shoving him down when he got up. Then #24 shoving and punching on the sidelines. They were playing like a bunch of punks.
Hendo on February 2, 2009 at 9:36 AM
I thought the officiating was pretty good. Aside from the borderline roughing the passer call against the Cards, I think the officials got everything pretty much right including the calls/reviews that went against the Steelers.
They weren’t afraid to make the calls just because the consequences might be severe, which is exactly how they should call it. I don’t want the refs making or not making calls due to the game situation like they used to do in hockey – you know – put away the whistles and use completely different standards in the last 5 minutes of the game or whatever.
forest on February 2, 2009 at 9:41 AM
Sorry the NFl rules also state a forward pass is any time the arm goes forward while the QB is HOLDING the ball (“When a passer is holding the ball to pass it forward, any intentional movement forward of his arm starts a forward pass.”). If you think it out the NFL ruling is a snow job, that means any time the QB gets hit while throwing and if the defender gets any piece of the ball yet the ball gets to the QB receiver, it is now an illegal forward lateral and not a pass. The ball is in Warner’s hand going forward, there is no if and or but about it (this is painfully obvious from the up and back replay but not from the side replay NBC kept repeating).
Also you are confusing what the booth officlas do with a full review. The booth officials take a quick look (as they have to decide before the next play) to see if they should call down. THIS IS NOT A FULL REVIEW and most likely only looked at the play from one angle. Thats what they mean by no review.
Zaggs on February 2, 2009 at 9:41 AM
forest on February 2, 2009 at 9:21 AM
Good observations forest. I also think it was “bad strategy” on the Cards to go into a weak prevent defense on the Steelers final drive especailly after what they did on the goal line sending the “kitchen sink” that caused the safety.
Rovin on February 2, 2009 at 9:43 AM
Dumb plays by the Steelers, and they got 15 yard penalties both times which they deserved.
forest on February 2, 2009 at 9:43 AM
Regarding the holder, I didn’t see intent there. He tried to get around the guy. It is still a judgement call whether it was deemed after the kick. That one didn’t change the outcome anyway. They were stil held to 3.
The QB roughing call, knowing that Ben pump fakes and is very tough to get down, was a terrible call.
Pitt made the big plays, but I just wish the refs would stop being so instrumental in the outcome.
awake on February 2, 2009 at 9:43 AM
Az got screwed by the officials for most of the game, the 100yd TD should’ve been called back for a block in the back that was obvious, thats ball game right there.
Then factor in the questionable calls the Steelers had to get to keep a long drive alive and eventual score thanks to it, which also kept the Az offense they couldn’t stop in second half off the field.
jp on February 2, 2009 at 9:44 AM
Agreed, 100%. It was not a full review, as it should have been, and it was not a fumble.
awake on February 2, 2009 at 9:45 AM
Actually, the judgement call that possession had changed means that Harrison’s penalty only cost Pitt about 1/2 a yard.
The last personal foul came after a supposed fumble which was merely a kneel down.
awake on February 2, 2009 at 9:47 AM
actually the one by Anderson it was on a punt and before possession changed when it occurred(ball was in the air). That should’ve gave the ball back to the Cards, instead it resulted in about a 1 foot or so penalty that Az eventually got a Safety out of.
jp on February 2, 2009 at 9:47 AM
Barf. Didn’t much care who won (since both teams bore me to tears), but I was rooting for the underdog Cardinals, if only because they deserved to win the one and only Super Bowl they’ll make it to in a long time; possibly ever. ;) Had they played a better first half, they would have won the game, hands down.
Jockolantern on February 2, 2009 at 9:49 AM
Right toe down, in bounds. Right toe not down just as he falls out. Jis feet do shift like a an old pair of scissors, but that’s after he touched both toes. There’s a bad angle that makes it look like a bad call. But, I watched every angle repeatedly…me and millions of others.
If you’re gonna complain about something, I’d say that Roth’s knee was not down on that first TD. I’d say his knee never touched. Watch the shadow.
Yeah, that’s called exuberance. Sportsman like conduct requires that it be checked. He should have been tossed. But calling it “thuggishness” is just annoying. You were watching a football game, not Disney on Ice.
Grow a pair and grab ‘em once in a while.
The Race Card on February 2, 2009 at 9:51 AM
This thing with Warner pushing the ball forward that he no longer had control of is going to turn into a big “truther” thing. He obviously didn’t have any kind of grip on the ball when he shoved or batted it forward.
If he were a receiver “holding” the ball like that as he went out of bounds it would be deemed incomplete because he didn’t have possession. He needed to have possession of the ball in his hand in order to throw a pass. He didn’t. He lost the handle when Woodley stuffed the ball and his hand backwards.
forest on February 2, 2009 at 9:52 AM
Great game, minus the penalties.
It was a 1 play game. Warner’s INT at the goalline was the difference in the game. If he doesnt throw that INT, Cards go in at halftime tied 10-10 at the very least. Steelers dont have an extra 7 spotted to them and the Cards win 23-20.
Good defense, will always beat good offense. Steelers ability to score on defense, has made this team. There is no way to replace defenses scoring points against you. Last night was a prime example of that.
I do think the Cards outplayed the Steelers. But the more complete team won the game. Hands down.
TheHat on February 2, 2009 at 9:54 AM
Pennsylvania – the state that voted Obama bin Biden!
HYTEAndy on February 2, 2009 at 9:55 AM
If this mess had been played in week 3, it would have been forgotten by week 4.
The first half was a snooze fest. Yes, Curt Warner completed the longest pass in SB history, but on the Card TD drive before that Warner tried to do the same thing but his tight end managed to save him from infamy. Just think, CW could have had TWO 100 + yard TD passes in the same SB.
It WAS an exciting 4th quarter, as both teams stopped playing defense. But that doesnt make a great game, much less a great SB.
And…. the commercials stunk.
Labamigo on February 2, 2009 at 9:55 AM
I think the “change of possession” occurs when the punter kicks the ball. The kicking team relinquishes the right to the ball as soon as it touches the punters foot.
forest on February 2, 2009 at 9:56 AM
and in the pool, $5 per square, I held (drum roll) the square labeled 7,3
Onager on February 2, 2009 at 9:58 AM
Steeler Nation!
rightwingprof on February 2, 2009 at 9:59 AM
Not even close rightside. The NBC replay froze the replay to show both feet down clearly in bounds.
LL
Lady Logician on February 2, 2009 at 10:03 AM
So then why did the Steelers coach thank Obama for the win? Shouldn’t he have been thanking Palin or someone else?
BTW, Harrison was not in on the 99-yard almost touchdown run.
Maybe it was his girlfriend-beating, trash-talking, sucker-punching charisma that won the refs over.
darclon on February 2, 2009 at 10:03 AM
Was a great game and didn’t care who won. Both teams and fans behaved in my city though it seemed like Steelers fans outnumbered Card fans greatly. Now off you go…need to make room around here for Gasparilla this weekend!!
Rockygold on February 2, 2009 at 10:04 AM
So beating your girlfriend, talking smack constantly, breaking a guys jaw deliberately during a game, refusing to even admit regret for being a juicer, etc. etc. doesn’t qualify for thuggery?
darclon on February 2, 2009 at 10:07 AM
Thank you, Cardinals players and coaches, for a very exciting season. You’ve been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise pretty crappy year. You have much to be proud of, and your fans here in Arizona appreciate all that you have accomplished this year.
And congratulations to the Steelers.
AZCoyote on February 2, 2009 at 10:08 AM
its common to thank your messiah after a big win in sports. Recall Tony Dungy and the Colts owner thanking Jesus.
little wonder Liberals are thanking Obama, their Messiah, after a win in sports.
We are in for alot more of this barf, the Hegelian God-State philosophy they beleive in is that Politics should be present in all parts of our lives, i.e the Center. The anti-thesis of what conservatives beleive in. We’ll likely have pre-Game Obama talking about something political more in the future, like last night.
jp on February 2, 2009 at 10:09 AM
btw, post at Big hollywood right now on the Steelers owner and Obama
jp on February 2, 2009 at 10:10 AM
Excuse me, that was Ward not Harrison. Another player just trying to get his thug thizzle on.
darclon on February 2, 2009 at 10:12 AM
Sorry son, I re-watched it last night on my DVR, and I saw what Micheals, the refs, the blind, the dead and yes, even the hated John Madden saw: both feet were down in the field of play with possession.
In other words, touchdown.
You’ll see it again on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
Saltyron on February 2, 2009 at 10:14 AM
You’re talking about a football game, not anything consequential.
Grow a conscience.
It was thuggishness. It was in between plays, not part of the game.
jgapinoy on February 2, 2009 at 10:16 AM
Springsteen managed to keep his mouth shut and sing, so I thought well, we’ll get out of this Superbowl without any politics. Wrong, apparently.
rollthedice on February 2, 2009 at 10:17 AM
I found it hilarious that he had a tatoo of “PEACE” on his arm as well.
It was after that Harrison personal foul that I started rooting against the Steelers in addition to rooting for Warner and the Cardinals. The Steelers were acting like little babies out there after the Cardinals came back on them. Another Steeler got a personal foul called on him a few minutes earlier for some BS pushing a WR out of bounds and throwing a few hand shots.
And Harrison got lucky. The ball was downed at the 2, so his personal foul didn’t hurt the offense at all, was just half the distance to the goal, which put it at the 1. That led to a safety, sure, but really, Harrison had basically no punishment for being a thug on the field.
And the fumble call at the end was BS, as is the claim that they reviewed it and it was “clear” it was a fumble. Whatever. The Cardinals also got screwed on the roughing the passer call. What a crap game by the officials.
That said, what an absolutely amazing game. I was rooting for the Cardinals and was very disappointed they lost after coming back to take the lead, but, man, couldn’t get much better than that for competition and drama.
Michael in MI on February 2, 2009 at 10:20 AM
The rules for a successful forward pass and a successful reception are not the same. The broadcasters talked about “the empty hand” all year long, but now it is TOTAL control? Nonsense.
It was a bad call, bro. Fear not. The Patsies built a dynasty off of one.
awake on February 2, 2009 at 10:21 AM
Did you hear what Ben Rothlisberger told the guys in the huddle before the game-winning drive, when they asked if they could pull this one out?
“YES, WE CAN!”
I groaned when I heard the Steelers owner thank President
JesusObama for his support. It was at that point where everyone in our Super Bowl party decided it was time to leave. hehI watch sports to get away from politics for a while and then they had to talk about Obama again. oy Long.four.years. with this nonsense.
Michael in MI on February 2, 2009 at 10:27 AM
I hated Pittsburgh (the entire city) before, but I just read that the owner of the Steelers thanked Obama for the victory? WHAT THE HELL IS THAT???? True? If so, I REALLY hate Shittsburgh now!!
RWLA on February 2, 2009 at 8:29 AM
I’m a Steeler fan and Pittsburgh resident.
Let me tell ya, the people I was with at the Steeler party last night (including myself) all joked that Rooney would thank Obama. Then when he actually did that, that blew our good mood and dropped our jaws.
Rooney went WAY over the line with that. I’m surprised he didn’t wink and hold his hand to his ear and mouth like a phone, mouthing “call me Barry”. Black, gold and brown (nose, that is). I must have missed where Obama drove the team in the last two minutes, caught that TD in the end zone, or gave money in the stimulus to build Heinz Field, or even showed up every f’ing game to support the team.
I guess they just prayed that he would bless them with a win. And Obama’s will was done.
My prediction- Rooney will have a Super Bowl ring commissioned for the One. After last night, I would not be surprised.
Saltyron on February 2, 2009 at 10:30 AM
You’ve got to be kidding
barf, barf, barf….the cult of Obama is in full bloom. Meanwhile ‘conservative’ bloggers like AP try to call his customers who like Palin “cultist” and stoop to liberal spinning of news to make her look bad and claims she has a ‘cult following’ like obama. crazy and scary times.
jp on February 2, 2009 at 10:31 AM
I wanted the Cards to win, and they played great, but….I’m more concerned about Jack right now. Those “X”s on his eyes were not a good sign.
p40tiger on February 2, 2009 at 10:37 AM
I had 0 – 0 in the Pool. $50 bucks a square. That Int right before half instead of a AZ field goal (10 – 10) cost ne $1000
Bevan on February 2, 2009 at 10:41 AM
Bask in it Cap’n Ed…
I think the officiating was suspect…
And Warners interception at the end of the 1st half, with Harrison’s amazing run-back didn’t help either…
Congrats to the Steelers; but best evah?
Meh…
Of course you realize, as a holder of both Ravens and Redskin season tickets, I’m oblidged to return to despising them , as opposed to admiring their victory, after a short, polite period…
RocketmanBob on February 2, 2009 at 10:43 AM
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