Steve "The Greek's" Superbowl Pick

Well, at long last the day of The Big Game is within striking distance. After NBC's 6 hour pregame of "happy horse manure" the game is due to kick off at about 6:30. I'll tune in at 6:25 and skip all the nonsense filler stories including the obligatory "rags to riches" or "player who raised 14 brothers and sisters because both parents were crack addicts" human interest stories.

Countless hours of pouring over minutia and obscure stats that will convince us of who will win the game. Even President Obama will be part of the pre-game. I'm already "Obama'd out". Get on with the game already!

As a Patriot fan I would love to the Steelers lose to the upstart Cardinals. On my list of "hatred for NFL teams", the Steelers rank third behind the Jets and the Colts. Unfortunately, I think the Steelers win this game.

The game is a classic "Big Offense" against "Big Defense" game. Kurt Warner has played this type of Superbowl game before in 2001 when his heavily favored Rams fell to the Patriots. I think one can say the offense from the greatest show on turf has to be considered batter in overall talent and depth than Arizona's. Even with Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and the remaining weapons in the Cardinal arsenal, I would have to give the nod to the Ram's offense of Marshall Faulk , Isaac Bruce, Torii Holt and others.

I just think the Steelers defense is too good. In 2001 the Pats chose to blitz Warner sparingly. It would not surprise me at all if the Steelers to adopt a similar approach, play more cover defenses and blitzing less than they normally do. Warner torched the Philly blitz in the first half of the NFC Championship game. After half time adjustments the Cards had three straight 3 and outs before the game winning drive.

History has shown us that great defenses can take away any offense's biggest weapon. Look for Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Stephen Breaston to get pounded in " bone crushing" fashion anytime Troy Polamulo, Ryan Clark or any of the other beasts on the Steelers "D" have the chance. Remember it was Clark that sent Willis McGahee off in a stretcher in the Championship game and nearly decapitated Wes Welker earlier this year.

All indications are is that Big Ben will be good to go health wise. In his first Superbowl Rothlisberger passes went 9-21 and he had a downright awful game. I'm sure he remembers that and has something to prove this time around. Although Hines Ward is iffy with a bum knee, Santonio Holmes and Willie Parker are poised to step up. Look for TE Heath Miller to have a big game for Pittsburgh. It kills me to say it but, if I were a betting man, I would say the Steelers win by at least 10 points 27-17.

Enjoy the game and see you next week. Oh by the way, on our radio show last week Paul and Mike each had Arizona winning the game outright and Alex had Pittsburgh winning but not covering. Just wanted to get that on the record.

Come Monday, we'll see who "The Greek" really is.

- Steve