The Bottom Line

Issue date: 2/11/09 Section: Sports

On February 1st, 95.4 million football fans tuned in to watch Super Bowl XLlll. Most viewers either watched for the commercials that would surely be talked about the next day, or they tuned in to see if the Cardinals could provide an upset. This was an entertaining game from beginning to end because 23 points were scored in the last 7 ½ minutes. On a first-and-goal play from the Steelers' 2-yard line with 18 seconds left in the first half, Warner threw a short pass over the middle however Steelers' right outside linebacker read the play perfectly and cut in front of Boldin to make the interception at the goal line and take off up the Arizona sideline. The Steelers seized a 17-7 lead when it appeared the Cardinals, once down 10-0, might take a 14-10 halftime lead. The Cardinals overcame a 20-7 deficit when Warner threw a 64 yard TD pass to Fitzgerald. The winning play was a 6 yard touchdown pass between quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and receiver Santonio Holmes as he fell out of bounds behind three Cardinal defensive backs. It was part of a 78 yard drive that allowed the Steelers to regain their lead they held almost the entire game. Roethlisberger completed 21 of 30 passes for 256 yards, the Cardinals' Kurt Warner 31 of 43 for 377 yards. Holmes finished with 9 catches for 131 yards giving him the MVP honor and Fitzgerald finished with 7 for 127 yards. Tomlin, the second black coach to win the title led the Steelers to a 27-23 victory. This win gives Pittsburgh their sixth Lambardi trophy.

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