Top Ten Super Bowls of All Time – Part III

#6

Big Ben’s Late TD Ends Cardinals Dream Season

The simple fact that the Arizona Cardinals reached ANY Super Bowl, and played well enough to win most times, made this one of the more incredible championship contests in recent memory.  As expected the Steelers forged ahead early in the game and were threatening to make the game a rout.  Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner refused to allow that to happen, finishing the game with 377 passing yards – the second most ever in a Super Bowl – and three touchdown passes.  Without him the Cardinals very well could have lost by two or even three scores.  Finding his team down 20-7 early in the fourth quarter the veteran signal-caller took the game onto his shoulders, leading his team from behind to take a 23-20 lead late in the game on a 64-yard Larry Fitzgerald touchdown pass.  In a game that featured amazing plays on both offense and defense, including a holding penalty in the end zone resulting in a safety, and a 100-yard interception return by Pittsburgh to close out the first half, it was only fitting that the game would come down to the final moments.  On a drive reminiscent of Montana, Elway, and Unitas, Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger led his team down field and into the Arizona red zone.  With seconds left on the clock he connected with wide receiver Santonio Holmes in the corner of the end zone for the deciding score.  Although Holmes would win the games’ MVP award, it was Kurt Warner that really stood out, ending his Super Bowl career as the all time leader in passing yardage.

Pittsburgh Steelers 27 – Arizona Cardinals 23