Washington
29 January 2009
Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, Florida, to be played Sunday, 1 February, features two very different teams on the same quest to win the National Football League championship.
Arizona has surprised many by reaching the Super Bowl for the first time in team history. A perennial loser, the Cardinals topped the weak National Conference West Division before defeating three strong teams in the playoffs. Arizona running back Edgerrin James says it is very gratifying to reach the NFL's biggest game.
"I think just the thought of just saying, 'I am in the Super Bowl,' [is great] because you got 32 teams that start out with the same goal. And there are only two teams left, and you are [part of] one of those two teams. And I think that is the biggest thing when you just think we worked hard. And we did it as a team," he said.
Pittsburgh is making its seventh Super Bowl appearance as it seeks a record sixth title. Linebacker James Farrior says Pittsburgh has returned to accomplish a familiar goal.
"It is all about winning the game. And it is all about this game right here. To put all the stamps and all the traditions and being the best and all that stuff. We will talk about that later. But our focus is winning this game. And nothing else really matters," he said.
Arizona boasts an exciting passing attack while Pittsburgh has the top rated defense in the NFL. The Cardinals will have to adjust to contain a solid Steelers offense. Until this season, no Super Bowl team in league history has allowed more than 360 points in the regular season. Arizona gave up 426.