Tomlin, Steelers join Cards in Tampa for Super Bowl XLIII

By JC De La Torre

The Pittsburgh Steelers used their top flight defense to smother the Baltimore Ravens and earn their second AFC Championship in four years, defeating the Ravens 23-14. Meanwhile, Arizona blew a big halftime lead but rallied to beat the Philadelphia Eagles 32-25 for the NFC Title. They well meet Feb. 1 in Tampa for Super Bowl XLIII.

It will be a homecoming of sorts for Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, who was a defensive backs coach with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for four seasons, winning the Super Bowl with the club in 2002. Tomlin is the youngest coach ever to lead his team to the Super Bowl and obviously has the opportunity to be the youngest to win it. Quarterback Ben Rothlisberger earns his second trip to the Super Bowl, while the #1 defense in the NFL prepares for the high flying Cardinals.

While the Cardinals defense has definitely upped the anty during their suprising playoff run, its the passing game of the Cards that strikes fear in opponents. Kurt Warner has put together an MVP-caliber season, cementing his eventual ascension to the Pro Football Hall of Fame when his career is done. The phenomenal Larry Fitgerald is the focus of the passing attack, while Aquan Boldin is a heck of a force as well.

Should be an interesting matchup at Raymond James Stadium in a couple weeks.