Many people are calling it the best Super Bowl ever. Most are calling it the best fourth quarter of any Super Bowl, and one of the best comebacks of all time. In time, I'm sure I will be proud of the fact that the Cardinals reached down deep, looked the big bad Steelers in the eye, came up with an epic comeback in the fourth quarter, taking the lead with two and a half minutes left, and came oh so close to pulling off one of the greatest upsets in Super Bowl history. Today, however, I am only bummed.
It would have been so much easier if the Cardinals had merely folded the tent and tucked their tails between their legs after that devestating interception return at the end of the first half. It was a potential fourteen point swing, and many teams would have been finished after a turn of events like that.
But it didn't quite happen that way. The Steelers were on their way to what would have been a game-clinching touchdown late in the third quarter. It would have been all over, and I would have comforted myself with the satisfaction of an amazing playoff run and a Super Bowl appearance for the Cardinals. It would have been more than enough, and I would have been OK today.
But no, the Cardinals had to come up with one of the all-time great goal line stands, having to stop the Steelers twice because of a penalty, six plays that went nowhere, forcing Pittsburgh to kick a field goal and keep the Cards within two touchdowns. As if it was a jump start to the offense, suddenly Kurt Warner began to find Larry Fitzgerald, who had been pretty much invisible for the first three quarters. The Cardinals drove down the field, culminating with Warner's toss in the end zone, which Fitzgerald amazingly caught, to make the score 20-14.
The Steelers got the ball back, and not only did the Cardinals stop them, but came up with a safety as well, to make the score 20-16. And then came the play that should have been destined to be the legendary game-and-championship-winning play, a Warner pass to Fitzgerald, where Fitz outran the Steelers defense for a 60-yard touchdown play, and the Cardinals' first lead of the game with two and a half minutes left. In my house, we were screaming and crying. My throat is still sore.
And then, as if to prove that it is never easy for my teams, the Cardinals defense could not pressure Ben Roethlisberger on the next drive and the Steelers drove down the field and scored an amazing touchdown. In time, I believe Santonio Holmes' touchdown catch, over three Cardinal defenders, placed by Roethlisberger in a spot that only Holmes could catch, with Holmes playing a perfect tip-toe balancing act at the edge of the sideline to stay in bounds, will be regarded as one of the best plays in any Super Bowl, always assuming that it hasn't already reached that lofty status. As a football fan, it was thrilling to watch. As a Cardinal fan, it was devestating.
There will come a time when I will only think about the wonderful things achieved by the Cardinals this year. They are one of my favorite teams of all time and I will always cherish their accomplishments. But today, all I can feel is hurt and pain. The Cardinals can hold their heads high, they came oh so close. But the bottom line is they lost the game. It turns out that potential fourteen point swing with the interception at the end of the first half was too much to overcome after all. Bummer.
Oh well, at least it was the best halftime show of any Super Bowl.
2 comments:
Thought of you yesterday, particularly with the half-time show. I was rooting for the Steelers-- tho without great conviction since the Cards have a Richmond guy on their team.
I don't know how they didn't give a review on the last play. 10 times out of 10 during the season they review that play.
Still, I think the thing the Card should look back on, but won't, is the out-of-control thug nonsense that cost them again and again--and cost Pittsburg too--after all, the Steelers had to use their last timeout because Holmes was so busy celebrating his catch down to the 5 that Roth. couldn't spike the ball-- and James Harrison should have been tossed from the game. Pathetic.
Fun game to watch tho! And damn, Fitzgerald is amazing!
What was interesting for a wannabe playwright was how similar both halves were -- Pittsburgh has the ball for long periods of time without scoring much, followed by Arizona quick-striking its way back in, finished off by Pittsburgh doing something amazing.
I was also surprised that the last play wasn't reviewed, especially since --again good drama -- the better outcome was to give Warner one more chance.
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