Open Thread: Super Bowl XLIII
By
That’s Super Bowl 43 for those that don’t know how to read Roman numerals once they get beyond X’s, V’s and I’s. Don’t worry, I had to look it up myself.
This year’s matchup is pretty much everything the NFL and NBC could have hoped for. You’ve got the historic power franchise in the Steelers and the feel good underdog in the Cardinals, who are making their first ever trip to the big game. The last time these two teams met was Week Four of the 2007 season, when Pittsburgh walked away with a 21-14 win. That was the second to last game Matt Leinart has started in the NFL.
The Steelers had the league’s best defense by far this year, giving up just 237.2 YPG, nearly 23 YPG less than the next best defensive unit. Only once did a team gain more than 300 yards of total offense against the Steelers this year. The Cards offense, on the other hand, was one the best this year, averaging 365.8 YPG, a distant second in the NFC behind the Saints’ supercharged attack. They racked up at least 300 yards of offense sixteen freaking times this season, so something’s gotta give.
Arizona’s going to rely on University of Pittsburgh product Larry Fitzgerald just like they have all year, but the Steelers held Andre Johnson, TJ Housyomomma , Plaxico Burress, Reggie Wayne, Randy Moss, and Terrell Owens to a grand total of two touchdowns (56.6 YPG on avg) in seven total meetings this season. Troy Polamalu has the ability to match every big play Fitzgerald makes with one of his own.
John Manuel of Baseball America ran through the SB43′s baseball ties earlier this week. Steelers running back Mewelde Moore spend three years in the Padres’ farm system and was rated the system’s 29th best prospect back in 2001. Third string QB Dennis Dixon was the Braves’ fourth round pick in ’07 and is still active in their system, but he didn’t play baseball in ’08 because of a knee injury. Hines Ward is a former 73rd round pick of the Marlins and Cards’ corner Matt Ware spent two years in the Mariners’ farm system. Polamalu was rated the fifth best prospect in the state of Oregon out of high school in 1999, but he instead went to USC on a football scholarship and the rest is history.
Here’s your open thread for the night. I’m assuming SB43 will be the primary topic, but feel free to talk about anything and everything. Just be civil.
Enjoy the game.
266 Comments»
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I really could not care less about the NFL these days. When do pitchers and catchers report?
13 days. Come on dude, it’s the SB. You gotta watch it.
Fitzgerald is a whole different breed. It doesn’t matter is Polamalu is on him, he’ll still make a play. And if somehow he cant do it, then they have Boldin and Breaston to pick up the slack.
He’ll kill it, even if he doesn’t he will open it up for Boldin. Fitz is so much fun to watch though, damn he is good.
Tres et quadragenita [macrons missing] = forty-three in Latin
*quadraginta
SB pick:
Cards over Steelers 24-21.
Steelers 27-14
Cards win….28-17
Hold up numbers!!!!!
This Cardinals defense has taken a turn reminiscent of the 2006 Indianapolis Colts. I’m intrigued if they can hold up throughout January and February such as the Colts did on the way to their title run.
The Cards D has a little more room for error than that Colts team since the Cards have a QB who doesn’t wilt in the playoffs the way Peyton does, even the year they won.
I thought Addai/Rhodes deserved co-MVP awards in that Superbowl.
Ya, I thought Addai was going to win it alone.
I’d love to see a high scoring game with the Cards taking it home.
There is a football game today????
Dude your lost. I say the Cards 23-20
its officially baseball season in 6 hours
there is still a basketball season going on
and hockey if you consider that a sport.
March belongs to college basketball. February is the lamest month in sports, unless you like the Daytona 500.
NASCAR is not a sport.
Thank you.
Drive Fast. Turn Left.
Nope, not a sport.
Agreed
I happen to like the 500. I do prefer the one in May at Indy.
You married to your sister too?
I joke with you .
Hahahahah. Oh, and Evan, is her name Bobby Sue or something? Own a shotgun?
j/k, btw.
Looked a bit too easy there.
SB commercials.
Looks like Doritos took the easy way out with their ad.
I am going to get a PS3. Is there any guys anybody could suggest, I am thinking about Motorstorm, LittleBigPlanet, Resistance and of course The Show.
Shaun White Snowboarding, if your into that kind of game.
Go with the original Resistance, R2 sucks.
You still playing FOM or your done with it?
Mike’s obsessive, he’s still playing. lol
I’m still playing, but not as much as I thought I would. I’m still in ST even though you can sim about five games an hour.
Forget it, when The Show comes out I won’t leave my apartment for a week, easy.
Heh. Would FOM be better if you could actually play the game? People would probably like it more I would assume.
Maybe, although I’m not a fan of 2K’s gameplay.
Dunno about this myself, but a ton of hype around Metal Gear Solid 4, if anyone else has any personal experience with it. I have Call of Duty: World at War, great game, storyline’s a little short though.
Killzone 2 due out at the end of Feb is going to blow every single game ever made out of the water. Graphics are insanley sick! I’ll be playing that for at least a year like I did with Resistance:FOM. LIttleBigPlanet is cool if you have an open mind to different games. Uncharted is also a pretty sweet game. Metal Gear Solid rocks. Coming later this year you have games like God of War, inFAMOUS, uNCHARTED 2, M.A.G, etc. And these are only the exclusives. Not even mentioning the multiplatform games.
Also, if you’re going to get Motorstorm, you may as well make it Motorstorm 2. While I’m at it I’ll just mention some of the multiplatform games as well that are pretty solid.
Already out:
Fallout 3
Far Cry 2
Prince of Persia
Call of Duty 4 & 5
Dead Space
Bioshock
Sometime in ’09:
Street Fighter 4
Resident Evil 5
Borderlands
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Final Fantasy
Prototype
buy NHL 09, online play is great
Lol @ that Conan commercial.
missed it, I’ll get it later online. So far the Bud and Doritos were okay
The commercial with Jason Stathan wasn’t bad either.
Terrific play by Big Ben .
He’s pissing me off, lol.
Anotha Fast and furious movie.
Will Ferrell movies sucks so bad their funny.
Come on now, he has some AWESOME movies.
Like……….?
Anchorman and Old School are all time classics. The rest suck.
Eh, I enjoyed Talladega, StepBrothers, and Night at the Roxbury.
Stranger than Fiction was excellent as well, although it’s not his typical “I’m a mentality retarded famous person yet still a functioning member of society” role.
I thought Anchorman was iight myself.
I know I love that movie. Whenever someone(TSJC and Mike A) quote that movie on here, I always get in on it. Hah
What about Wedding Crashers? “Ma! The meatloaf!!
Ha, he played a great role in that too but he wasn’t a main guy. Zoolander is another one you can throw him in.
Yo that Pepsi Max commercial was pretty damn funny.
Easily the best one so far.
What happened in it?
Girls got naked.
Ready for the Fitz show?
A Star Trek movie, man you know the basement dwellers are comin out of their moma’s basements for that one.
Polamalu just got pwned. His ankles are still downfield.
What a catch by the Card TE.
Nice grab. It looked like the Steelers would run away with this one for a little while.
Fitz needs to get involved.
Easier said than done.
word.
Decoy.
Setting it up for Boldin and the others.
Alright Pitt, score one more TD and let that be the end of it for this quarter. Want that money!
Wow my boy J-Mac is in the G commercial.
I’m not watching; as in John McCain??
How are you not watching, lol?. It was Jason McElwain. The kid who has autism but scored 20 points in like 3 minutes for his high school team.
Nah the dude with Autism who hit all them 3′s in one HS basketball game.
I went to HS near him. We played them last year and he came back to see the game. The kid is a dick. Very cocky now.
I find that funny, sorry Lord if I shouldn’t.
Is it me or have been the SB’s commercial have been subpar.
It’s not you.
I found that commercial for that Disney movie “UP” pretty funny.
Huuuuuugggggggeeeeeee
http://extras.newsoftheworld.c.....g_0102.jpg
Heh.
WOW
WOW, Huge turn of events
Wow. Wow in every way.
Holy Shit!!!!!!! Money coming my way because of that!
I think it’s gonna count.
Harrison showing his capabilities there. Awesome play.
I think his knees didn’t touch, but isn’t it a rule that if you go out of bounds, you can’t interfere with a play? Or is that only on punt returns and kickoffs? Because Fitzgerald was clearly out of bounds then came back in so regardless it should be a touchdown.
I thought that was only offensive players? Defensive players can come back in. I could be wrong.
Is Fitzgerald a defensive player once the ball is turned over?
I would think so.
Sounds good to me lol, thanks.
Haha Justin Tuck dancing. Fail.
The Steelers are good but also the luckiest team in the league. They’ve had so many plays like that where the other team has just pissed away a golden opportunity. There’s no way the Cards win this game.
I don’t think it is fair to say that. They were definitely a top 3 team in the entire league this year.
Agreed.
One really fucken lucky team was the Iggles. Arg….
hahaha that heroes-NFL legends commercial was good
Pete Abe must be busting a nut right now.
haha beat me to the Pete abe joke.
Pete Abe loves Bruce, eh?
Pete Abe just orgasmed as Bruce Springstein appeared on his tv.
I’m not much of a Springsteen fan at all, but that was easily the best halftime show in years.
I would like if they ask a hip hop dude to do the halftime show but oh well.
Hip hop songs don’t translate to well when they are live.
I’ve said this for a while, Metallica really needs to do the half time show.
Well they need to stop askin these old mothafuckers like Bruce and McCarthy to the perform. At least give Kanye West a chance.
Kanye would say something like: Kurt Warner and Ben Roethlisberger do not care about black people. NFL can’t risk it.
HAHAHA.
As long as Good Charlotte or bands like that don’t play the halftime show, I am okay with the older rock “legends”.
Super Bowl XLIV Halftime Performance: Hannah Montana and the Jonas Brothers.
After seeing what the Jonas Brothers did in Dallas, I don’t ever want to hear them a 2nd time.
And deny that he’s not gay while wearing his sister’s clothes.
Then he will run from security.
Then beat up the paparazzi.
Well Ward is no David Tyree.
Of course not, he is much much better.
I agree but thats not saying much.
Aw man, I got salsa on my terrible towel!
Is the burrito done yet?
I thought that was a fumble there.
Come on Zona, step it up a bit here.
Woww, I don’t like that call at all.
It’s ironic how the best play in the game made the game less interesting.
That wasn’t roughing the passer. What BS
I hate roughing the passer/kicker, especially when it was clear the momentum was the key reason.
Cards are killing themselves with these penalties. They don’t deserve to win playing like that.
I agree, that was reckless, uncalled for, and flat out stupid
Awful, just fuckin awful.
And it is offical the refs are giving this game to the steelers. What a joke.
Im sorry that was a legit call there.
The blantant hold that wasn’t called against Pitt
oh I thought you were talking about the personal foul.
I see a fair game so far, every penalty was 100% the Cards fault.
I need Pitt to get a TD, ugh.
Jeez, I’m unlucky.
Great job by the cards D to just held them to a FG under those circumstances.
And very excited for the new Transformers movie
That commercial makes me want to see the first one. It’s in my Netflix queue, I’ll have to bump it up.
The first one was amazing. You should def bump it up.
You better bump it up to one, that is SUCH a good movie. Has nothing to do with the old school transformers cartoons. Shia LeBouf is a good actor(I remember watching him in Even Stevens lol) Megan Fox is the sexiest woman alive and Michael Bay does a great job putting it all together.
and if its possible, get it for Bluray, its fucking amazing in HD.
Oh of course. I can’t go back to regular old DVD’s, I just can’t.
I can’t wait for the X-Men Origins: Wolverine movie.
Nah, The Avengers!!! in 2011.
Nah even better: Sin City 2 2010.
Psshh, no way that will be better than The Avengers. Probably won’t be better than IronMan 2.
I disagree, Sin City 1 was one of the better movies I,ve eva seen and the acting was terrific and visual aspect of the movie was tremendous.
Agree to disagree. hah
I was not a fan of Sin City, at all.
Even though The Avengers jumpoff is gonna be mad crazy…..well hopefully.
That was a pretty funny commercial. I loved when the little Koala bear was getting punched.
Yo this SB game is kinda boring.
Duh, Giants aren’t in it.
That would make it worse.
Word…………what would be betta if Romo was in this game throwing picks all over the place and fumbling and etc.
oh snap…
Or McNabb puking on the field in the huddle.
I agree with you both
funny.
hahahaha Agreed. Sorry Mike Pop, its nothing personal.
Ha, whatever man Idc. I will still take Romo over Eli. Eli had a hot streak for 4 games. Nothing else. He did do something amazing and I am not taking that away from him but he is just not that good in my opinion.
Stupid penalties.
?
We get it. You don’t like Eli. Lucky for you, he’s not your quarterback. Enjoy Romo and the rest of your circus act.
hahaha I knew they were remaking that commercial, I didn’t know they would make it funny hahaha that was pretty good.
That Cash4Gold commercial was great.
Agreed
Fitz…..there you are.
Fun Fact, Polamalu may be samoan, but he is very religious and is Greek Orthodox(His wife is greek)
He drives a Hyundai too.
Fitz is so dangerous in that situation.
His dad didn’t even budge.
Hulu is such a good website.
Without a doubt. You get actual good quality videos.
Game is much more interesting now. Come on Zona, hold them.
Pepsuber hahahahahhhah
Oh man, it’s awesome now.
Wow. Come on Pittsburgh, gotta contain them now.
I want to see a TD here, bad.
Sooo dirrttyyy.
Dumb play by Harrison.
Wow. That catch was UUUUUUUGE.
And that penalty even UUUUUUUGER.
Holy shit dude.
Safety, wow
Well that fucks up everyones Superbowl squares.
Wow crazy just crazy.
That was craazzy.
I dont want to see Roethlesberger get another SB win before Eli. Eli rules his class!! C’mon Cardinals !!!
HOLY SHIT
O. M. G.
Are you fucking kidding me
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!
Please no OT, The office is on soon.
agreed.
I would rather watch the last football game for a long time than the office tonight.
Now that’s what i’m talking about !
Q: What the mother fuck just happened?
A: Kurt Warner + Larry Fitzgerald
Game. blouses.
They better not let Warner sniff FA.
It’s ok if the Jets sign him!
Awesome, just awesome.
Touch Down Bitches.
PITTSBURG!
Wow is this a great finish.
My Mo.
OH BABY!
Wowza.
Oh he’s in. Not even close.
Unbelievable, just wow.
Wild just wild.
Damn.
Ben Roethlisberger = baller.
Holmes just took this game over.
He basically scored two TD’s on that last possession, he just couldn’t quite reel in the first one.
I hate Pitt.
Holmes to Fitzgerald: “Bitch, who the f*ck you think you talking to?”
Superbowl 43 is almost as good as Superbowl 42. Almost.
Better.
*Disclaimer: I’m a Jets fan. Ok, thanks.*
I wish there was more time.
Don’t forget, If there was a duo that could get a TD in the last seconds of the superbowl, its Warner and Fitzgerald.
I want to see it but only :15 left.
Congradulation Pitts.
Alright MVP guesses? I’m gonna go Big Ben.
Probably. Either him or Holmes.
Man, that ain’t right.
The office!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can’t wait.
Gay superbowl hats.
im imagining jeter hitting a game wining hr in gm7 of the ws against LAD after seeing waht big ben just did
Damn man, their number one now.
Tim Donaghy must be reffing NFL games now. The NFL must be happy that “their” team won.
Lol
Alright Tomlin.
Who is Goodell joking. Very few games beat Superbowl 42.
Check this out. Kurt Warner now has the three highest passing yard totals in Super Bowl history:
414 in 2000
377 in 2009
365 in 2002
Clutch.
Too bad he’s only 1-2. That pick came back to haunt them. But I blame the D.
Heh, Kurt Warner > Jesus.
u guys hear that bs? “the pittsburgh steelers are the new standard for american sports”
Well they are up there but above the Red Sox??? I don’t think so.
E-ROC is pissed off right now.
I wasn’t pissed the Steelers won. As much as I hate them, I respect them tons more. Great game though.
hate football…hate the superbowl and i am damn glad its over – finally can listen to the radio again and why is it that in every other sport it seems that 95% of locals root for their local team, but in football i would say the number is closer to 50%. How do you grow up your whole life in the nyc area and become a cowboys fan – just bugs me.
finally baseball time is coming – thank the lord
Family can be a big reason. That is what happened to me.
Emmitt Smith and Deion Sanders was the reason why I became a Cowboys fan.
…oh and Tory Akiman.
OMG guys, this is the first time i’ve watched The Office, and i have to say 5/5 so far. I literally had to get on my knees when the guy put on the dummy’s face on his, wow i haven’t had a good laugh in such a long time. So what season is this show on? I need to pick up the others ASAP
Season 5, and this is easily the worst season so far. You can watch seasons 1-4 on your computer instantly via Netflix.
The show kind of went downhill once Pam and Jim got together.
Wow if I’m enjoying this then I can’t wait for season 1 – 4 (oh the irony)
I’m guessing you need a Netflix account?
ditto.
Yeah you need a membership, but it’s easily the best $15/month I spend. I highly recommend the service.
I don’t think it was Pam and Jim, I think it was the lack of Dwight being… well Dwight.
Yeah, Dwight’s not the same any more either.
Dwight is like the old Dwight in this episode. BTW, Pam’s roast to Michael is the BEST
Rank the Super Bowl QB’s (how the fuck ESPN thinks Big Ben is one of the ten-best SB QB’s is beyond me): http://sports.espn.go.com/chat.....listId=227
Here’s my ranking:
1. Joe Montana
2. Terry Bradshaw
3. Tom Brady
4. Troy Aikman
5. Roger Staubach
6. Jim Plunkett
7. Bart Starr
8. John Elway
9. Bob Griese
10. Ben Roethlisberger
They sure do love ranking things, don’t they?
People love lists. It’s not just ESPN, everyone does it.
That’s true. I guess I should reign in my “snark towards anything ESPN related” reflex.
They were asking you to rank the QBs with 2 or more superbowl rings. Big Ben is in there by those guidelines, not by the ranking of the ten best.
Anyway I’d go:
1. Tom Brady
2. Joe Montana
3. Roger Staubach
4. John Elway
5. Terry Bradshaw
6. Troy Aikman
7. Bart Starr
8. Jim Plunkett
9. Ben Roethlisberger
10. Bob Griese
I am so stealing that line that Jim said to Pam’s dad.
I’ve totally stolen relationship advice from a Kevin James stand-up set in the past. Anywhere you can get it man.
So I made food for the Super Bowl party I went to and I’m kind of shocked because people ate it and didn’t die!
optimism ftw