LeGere: Steelers have edge over Cards
Arizona Cardinals (12-7) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (14-4)
When: 5:18 p.m. Sunday
TV/radio: Channel 5, WSCR 670-AM
Line: Steelers by 7
Local flavor: Cardinals offensive coordinator Todd Haley (Bears' wide receivers coach 2001-03), OLT Mike Gandy (Notre Dame, Bears 2002-04), NT Bryan Robinson (Bears 1998-2003), PK Neil Rackers (Illinois), LS Nathan Hodel (Belleville East High School, Illinois). Steelers FB Carey Davis (Illinois); OT Trai Essex (Northwestern), QB coach Ken Anderson (Batavia High School, Augustana).
By the numbers: Since 47-7 Week 16 loss to Patriots, their fourth in five games, the Cardinals have scored 30 points or more in 4 straight victories. ... Cards WR Larry Fitzgerald has as many catches (23) and more receiving yards (419) and touchdowns (5) in the postseason than the top four Steelers receivers combined. ... Cards finished the regular season last with 73.6 rushing yards per game, but they've averaged 111 in three postseason games despite picking up just 3.3 yards per carry. ... Steelers defense was No. 1 in total yards, passing yards, average gain per pass, average gain per rush, points allowed and third-down efficiency during regular season, and No. 2 in rushing yards and first downs allowed and in sacks. ... Steelers have won eight of nine, allowing 14 points or less in 7 of the 8 victories. ... Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger was picked off 15 times and lost 7 fumbles in the regular season. ... Cardinals defense has forced 12 turnovers in the postseason, including 8 interceptions. ... Roethlisberger has not turned the ball over in the postseason.
Last meeting: Cardinals won 21-14 at Arizona on Sept. 30, 2007. Cards used Kurt Warner and Matt Leinart at QB, and Fitzgerald caught 10 passes for 120 yards. Steelers WR Santonio Holmes caught 6 passes for 128 yards, but Roethlisberger was sacked four times, three by DT Darnell Dockett. The Cardinals outrushed the Steelers 86-77 as Edgerrin James picked up 77 yards on 21 attempts.
Key questions:
• Can Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau's zone blitz get to Warner before he gets the ball to his three 1,000-yard receivers, Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston?
• Can the Cardinals continue to keep opposing defenses honest by establishing a viable running game against the NFL's best run defense?
• Will Steelers WR Hines Ward (knee) be healthy enough to be the team's most consistent offensive weapon, as he was all season?
• The performances of Steelers RB Willie Parker and the Cardinals' run defense have both spiked lately after disappointing regular seasons. Which can maintain the momentum?
• Is it an advantage that Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt and assistant head coach/offensive line coach Russ Grimm spent the previous six years as Steelers assistants before coming to the desert in 2007?
What to watch: Fitzgerald vs. Steelers CB Ike Taylor. No one has been able to handle the Cards' go-to receiver 1-on-1, so Steelers safeties Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark will have to help. ... Cardinals OLT Gandy vs. Steelers ROLB James Harrison, the NFL defensive player of the year, who had 16 sacks in the regular season. ... Cards ORT Levi Brown, who allowed 11 sacks in the regular season, vs. Steelers LOLB LaMarr Woodley, who had 111/2 sacks in the regular season and has 4 more in two playoff games.
Bob LeGere's pick: Steelers 27, Cardinals 17
LeGere two weeks ago: Straight up 1-1; against the spread 1-1
LeGere on the season: Straight up 167-98-1; against the spread 136-121-9
- Bob LeGere