Offense must keep rolling for Cards to have a fighting chance

UPDATE: Get the latest on this year’s Super Bowl matchup

Super Bowl betting rages on. Between the odds, lines, spreads and props, Arizona vs Pittsburgh betting fans have a lot to think about. Yesterday, we broke down the Steelers’ lineup. Today, let’s look at the Cardinals in the sports betting line for Arizona vs Pittsburgh.

OFFENSE

Has the Cards’ O-line “improved” this season? Yes and no. On one hand, they’ve done a fairly good job protecting Kurt Warner; even if part of the stat comes from Warner’s lightning-quick release, ranking 11th-best in sacks allowed during the season is nothing to sneeze at. Better yet, they’ve allowed just three sacks in three playoff games – one to Atlanta, one to Carolina and two to the outstanding Philadelphia pass rush. The line will have to keep up the good work for the Cards to have a chance in the Arizona vs Pittsburgh odds. It’ll be a tall order considering the Steelers led the AFC in sacks this season.

Whether it’s because of an inspired effort from the line, Edgerrin James knowing he’s running out of chances or Tim Hightower auditioning for a starting job, the Cardinals rushing attack, which was dead last in the league heading into the playoffs, has been “kind of decent” in January. If it can do anything against the Steelers’ vicious front seven, it will help set up the deep passing game in the sports betting line.

Obviously, passing is ’Zona’s bread and butter. Warner has carved up defenses throughout the playoffs, leaning heavily on the ridiculously talented Larry Fitzgerald. Warner has shown the ability to pick up the blitz and burn defenses, but he hasn’t faced anything like the Steelers’ pass rush. To be effective in Arizona vs Pittsburgh betting, Warner needs Anquan Boldin to come through. Fitzgerald will be covered more often than normal, so Boldin will have to shake off his wounded hamstring and ego and make some tough catches underneath.

The passing game is the only true advantage the Cardinals have in the Super Bowl XLIII odds, and they must exploit it; if they don’t and the Steelers get to Warner early and often, the game could be over by halftime.

DEFENSE

Could the Cards surprise here? When you think about it, the Steelers offense may be the weaker than the other units Arizona conquered so far in the playoffs. Their run defense ranked 16h in the regular season, but they stopped Michael Turner, DeAngelo Williams and Brian Westbrook. The latter two backs are similar – and arguably superior to – Willie Parker. That means the Cards’ front seven has a chance to bottle up a 23rd-ranked Steelers rushing attack if they continue their strong tackling.

Ben Roethlisberger’s mobility could give the Cards’ weak pass defense trouble, as Donovan McNabb did when the Eagles almost stole the NFC championship game from the Cardinals. But Hines Ward won’t be 100 per cent, meaning Arizona can key on Santonio Holmes. If they don’t respect Holmes, he’ll likely burn them for a long score in the betting lines.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Like the Steelers’, the Cardinals’ return game is a non factor, ranking near the basement in kick and punt return averages. In the kicking game, Pittsburgh’s Jeff Reed offers consistency, while the Cardinals’ Neil Rackers has a leg big enough to influence the Arizona vs Pittsburgh odds. He’s perfect from 40-49 yards this season (including playoffs). He’s 0/2 above 50 yards this postseason, but the warm Tampa air should be forgiving. Rackers has shown the ability to boot the big one in the past, so consider the kicking matchup a wash in the Arizona vs Pittsburgh odds.

Who will win Super Bowl XLIII? Keep reading the Betting Edge at BetOnline.com for new analysis every day until the big game.

Stan Simmons first tasted football through the college game, but his football handicapping has strictly focused on the professional sport. Not many people devote as much time to the NFL as Simmons. For six days a week he works, labors and handicaps the sport, and on the seventh he rests as the games play out. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.