Steelers Defeat Cardinals 27-23, Holmes MVP

Super Bowl XLIII - Pittsburgh Steelers 27 Arizona Cardinals 23 - Santonio Holmes MVP

Big Ben Roethlisberger and Santonio Holmes Connect 4 times on the final drive for 73 yards and winning TD as the Pittsburgh Steelers defeat the Arizona Cardinals 27-23 in one of the most thrilling Super Bowls ever.

Quotes & Commentary | Scoring & Statistics | Play by Play

Santonio Holmes extended his arms, kept his feet on the ground and held on to Ben Roethlisberger's perfectly placed pass deep in the right corner of the end zone.

The amazing touchdown catch -- against three Cardinal defenders -- capped an 8-play 78 yard drive with 35 seconds remaining.

Thus, giving the Pittsburgh Steelers a 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII.

"I knew my toes were on the ground the whole time," said Santonio Holmes, Super Bowl XLIII MVP. "Once I extended my arms and my body everything just flowed right together. I never left the ground."

Super Bowl XLIII was blemished by sloppy play at times and penalties as players on both sides lost their compusure and let emotions get the best of them. The Cardinals were flagged for 11 penalties for 106 yards, a Super Bowl record. The Steelers racked up 7 penalties for 56 yards.

However, for the second straight season, Super Bowl XLIII provided amazing and compelling theater as momentum swung all over the place from one team to another. It was a thrilling finish, certainly on par with last year's Super Bowl XLII. Even the game-winning touchdown for both Super Bowl games came with 35 seconds remaining.

Super Bowl XLIII - Larry Fitzgerald

Trailing 20-7 heading into the 4th quarter, the Cardinals scored 16 unanswered points as Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner led a remarkable rally aided by an inspired Cardinals defense. Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald capped the rally when he caught Kurt Warner's short pass and converted it into a 64-yard TD.

On the play, Arizona utilized a spread formation routing Cardinals receivers Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston on down-and-outs thus opening the middle. Fitzgerald, starting from the right, ran a slant pattern into the open middle against deep prevent-defense coverage. Warner hit Fitzgerald in perfect stride, who raced 64 yards up the middle for the touchdown that put the Cardinals ahead 23-20 with 2 minutes and 37 seconds remaining.

With less than three minutes remaining it appeared as if momentum would finally stick with the Cardinals.

The Steelers starting their final drive from their own 22 yard-line with 2:30 remaining were pushed back 10 yards on first down when offensive guard Chris Kemoeatu (#68) was penalized for holding. On 1st-and-20 from their own 12, Ben Roethlisberger connected with Santonio Holmes for a 14-yard gain. On second down, Cardinals defensive back Aaron Francisco broke up Roethlisberger's deep pass to receiver Nate Washington setting up 3rd-and-6.

The Steelers kept the drive and their hopes alive when Roethlisberger eluded Arizona's blitz and completed a short pass right to Holmes advancing the ball to their 39-yard line for a first down.

On 1st-and-10 with 1:33 remaining, Roethlisberger scrambled and again eluded the Cardinals blitz finding Washington on the right for an 11-yard completion. On the ensuing play, Roethlisberger was forced out of the pocket, but was able to gain 4 yards on the play. The Steelers utilized their second timeout to stop the clock with 1:02 remaining.

The key gain of the drive then came when Big Ben connected again with Holmes on the right.

On the play, Roethlisberger stepped up into the pocket, pumped once and then connected with Holmes on a 10-yard curl route. Cardinals defensive back Aaron Francisco was in a soft coverage, but appeared as if he would limit Holmes to a 10-yard gain. However, in trying to recover on Holmes quick move back to the outside, Francisco lost his footing and fell to the ground. The slip allowed Holmes to advance the ball 40-yards to the Cardinals 6-yard line for a first-and-goal with 48 seconds remaining. Amazingly, Francisco was able to get back on his feet and make the tackle, but not before the damage was done.

On 1st-and-goal from the 6, Roethlisberger zipped a crisp pass to Holmes. Holmes was open and in position to make the catch, but the catchable ball went thru his hands for an incompletion.

It appeared as if the exhausted Cardinals defense might have been able to hold out for a few more downs. However, on the very next play, Santonio Holmes' unbelievable catch gave the Steelers the 26-23 lead. It took a few minutes to review the play, but in the end it was ruled a completion. Jeff Reed kicked the extra point for the 27-23 lead.

After the game, Cardinals CB Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie confirmed the the catch, "I was right there. I knew he caught the ball."

With 29 seconds remaining thet Cardinals had one last hope. Started from their own 23 out of the shotgun, Warner found Fitzgerald on the left for a 20-yard gain. Unable to get out of bounds and stop the clock, the Cardinals used their second timeout. On the next play, Warner's short pass up the middle to running back J.J. Arrington netted the Cardinals 13-yards. The Cardinals used their last time out to stop the clock.

With 15 seconds remaining and the ball at the Steelers 44-yard line, it appeared as if the Cardinals would have a chance at a miracle and Kurt Warner his chance at sealing Hall of Fame immortality.

Starting out of a shotgun formation, the Cardinals offensive line could not contain the Steelers rush and Warner was forced out of the pocket. Feeling pressure from behind, Warner appeared to have made forward motion when Steelers linebacker Lamar Woodley struck his passing arm and as such an incomplete pass.

However, the referees ruled the play a fumble -- a fumble which the Steelers recovered. Without any review, Ben Roethlisberger took a knee to end the game.

The Steelers' second Super Bowl championship in four seasons and sixth overall, an NFL record, came against a Cardinals franchise making its first Super Bowl appearance.

Act I: Steelers Dominance

The Cardinals won the coin toss but deferred to the Steelers who decided to start the game with the ball. Starting from his own 28, Roethlisberger marched the Steelers 71-yards to the Cardinals 1-yard line in five plays and with relative ease. The big moments came when Roethlisberger connected with receiver Hines Ward on the second play of the drive for 38 yards and on the opening drive's 5th play, when Roethlisberger threw a dart up the middle to Steelers tight end Heath Miller for 21 yards.

On first and goal from the one, running back Gary Russell was smothered for a 4 yard loss by Cardinals linebacker Monty Beisel and defensive end Antonio Smith. But the Steelers quickly regained the 4-yards on the very next play when Steelers running back advanced the ball on a running play to the right. Facing 3rd-and-goal from the one, Rothlisberger dropped back to pass. Unable to find an open receiver, Big Ben scrambled right and utilizing his large frame leaned into the end zone just enough for the touchdown.

However, the Cardinals challenged the play saying Roethlisberger's knee touched the ground before breaking the plane. Upon review, the call on the field was reversed. The Steelers settled for an 18-yard Jeff Reed field goal and an early 3-0 lead.

The Cardinals showed promised on their opening possession, but after picking up the first down on their second play from scrimmage thanks to 10-yard Steve Breaton reception the drive fizzled.

On first down, offensive tackle Mike Gandy was penalized 10-yards for holding, and on the next play, the exchange between Kurt Warner and running back Edgerrin James caused a fumble. Fortunately, James was able to pounce on the ball for the recovery. Steelers pressure on the 3rd down speed screen to receiver Anquan Boldin forced an incompletion.

Ben Graham's 43-yard punt gave the Steelers the ball at their own 31 and the Steelers got off to a quick start on their second possession.

On first down, a 25 yard gain on a short pass to Holmes advanced the Steelers into Cardinals territory. On subsequent plays, Roethlisberger connected with tight end Heath Miller twice for 11 yards and again with Holmes for 7 yards. The 7 yard gain produced a first-and-goal for the Steelers at the Cardinals 7. Running back Willie Parker would push the Steelers forward another 2 yards as the first quarter came to an end.

Two plays later, the Steelers scored from one yard out on Russell's run off right guard. Jeff Reed converted the point after for 10-0 Steelers lead slightly over a minute into the second quarter.

Reading the box score, Pittsburgh's 69 yard touchdown drive which consumed 7:12 on 11 plays appears to have been produced in Steeler-like fashion. But, it was Roethlisberger's ingenuity and determination that kept the scoring drive alive. On 3rd-n-10 from the Cardinals 44, Roethlisberger avoided the sack with his scramble-then-spin-left throw to Miller for an 11 yard gain and kept the drive alive.

Roethlisberger's clutch play would be a recurring theme throughout the night.

Act II: Cardinals on the March

Starting from their own 17, the Cardinals mounted a 9-play 83-yard TD drive that consumed 5 minutes and 27 seconds of game clock. Utilizing a series of short and quick pass plays, thus negating the Steelers blitz and pressure, Warner was able to get his offense just across midfield into Steelers territory for a first down.

However, an obvious offensive holding call against tight end Ben Patrick pushed the Cardinals back 10-yards. Facing 1st-and-20 from their own 41, Warner reverted back to the short passing game connecting with Breaston on the right for a gain of 13. On the ensuing play, Warner froze the Steelers defense on a play-action pass, giving him plenty of time to connect with a wide open Anquan Boldin at the 30-yard line. Boldin caught the ball, turned out towards the right sideline and dashed down to the one before being taken down by free safety Ryan Clark. Boldin's first catch of the game was good for 45 yards.

A Steelers defensive stand never materialized as Warner found Ben Patrick open on the left side of the end zone for the touchdown. Warner, despite stumbling over left offensive guard Reggie Well's right leg, was able to maintain his balance and connect with Patrick for the score.

After exchanging possessions, the Steelers started from their own 16 after a 45-yard Ben Graham punt. Two plays later, Cardinals nose tackle Bryan Robinson tipped Roethlisbergers pass up in the air which linebacker Karlos Dansby fielded for the interception. With two-minutes remaining in the half, the Cardinals were in prime spot to score again from the Steelers 34.

The were off to a slow start as the first two plays of the drive resulted in incompletions. However, on 3rd-n-10, running back Tim Hightower was able to break free from Mike Taylor and convert Warner's short pass into a 10-yard gain and a first down. Two plays later, Warner connected with Larry Fitzgerald for a 12-yard gain with 43 seconds left in the half. The Steelers had held Fitzgerald without a catchup to that point.

Two consecutive passes to Boldin resulted in a first down on the 1-yard line. The Cardinals used their final timeout of the half with 18 seconds remaining.

Act III: The Game Changing Twist of Fate

Then, in a reversal of fortune, came the longest play in Super Bowl history. Out of the shotgun, Warner saw an open Anquan Boldin and tried to throw a quick slant just across the goal-line. However, outside linebacker James Harrison (92) faked the rush from his side and dropped backed to the goal line and stepped in front of Boldin to make the interception.

Harrison made his way to the right and rumbled down the sideline. The Cardinals couldn't tackle him down until Harrison was near the goal line as Fitzgerald pulled him down from behind. Harrison barely made it into the end zone, completing a 100-yard return. The play was upheld upon review.

Instead of a 14-10 lead or 10-10 tie, the Cardinals found themselves trailing 17-7 at the half.

During his post-game interview, James Harrison had the following comments regarding the play:

On the defensive play call:

"It was really a max blitz, I was supposed to be on the running back so I just really slowed up."

On how long the field looked when he was running:

"You know it got short when I first started and then it got long again and then it got a little shorter towards the middle and then the end I was just, I am already here there is no need to try and stop. You just got to keep going."

Kurt Warner commented on the interception after the game:

"They showed an all-out blitz and LB James [Harrison] did an excellent job of holding in towards the line of scrimmage and then popping out. I couldn't see him around our linemen and the pressure. I thought I had Anquan [Boldin] for a second, but he jumped out there and made a play. The unfortunate thing is that we couldn't bring him down."

NBC's Bob Costas on James Harrison's TD at the end of the first half:

"We're still buzzin' about Bruce Springsteen at halftime, but I'll tell you if there was one guy we weren't thinking was 'Born To Run' it was James Harrison."

The Steelers were able to tack on 3 more points in the third quarter on a 21-yard field goal by Jeff Reed. The field goal capped a 16-play 79-yard drive that ate up 8:39 in clock time. The drive was extended by 2 personal foul penalties and an unneccessary roughness call. The 3 fouls on the drive were due to the young Cardinals defense lack of composure.

The Cardinals defense put up an amazing stand in limiting the Steelers to a field goal after two first-and-goal series. However, this drive probably did the Cardinals defense in at the end as they exerted alot of energy.

On offense, it was the Steelers only possession of the quarter and for the Cardinals both their drives in the 3rd quarter had fizzled. It appeared as if the Cardinals would be done in by a lackluster 3rd quarter.

Act IV: Warner Picks Up the Pace as Cardinals Rally

But with 11:30 remaining in the game Kurt Warner picked up the pace almost akin to a 1500-meter runner's kick on the last lap.

At this point in the game, the Cardinals decided to abandon their balanced attack offense and relied solely on Warner's 37-year old arm and his passing savy. Starting from their own 13, the Cardinals utilized a no-huddle offense to speed up the pace.

A 13-yard pass to Breaston on the right was quickly followed by an 18-yard pass up the middle to Urban. Then a short pass left to Fitzgerald, a 22-yard passs play in the middle to Arrington, and then again to Fitzgerald for 18 yards and 6 yards. After a 3-yard pass play to Hightower, Warner went back to Fitzgerald on the right for the 1-yard TD pass.

The touchdown pass came against single coverage on a fade route to the right. Fitzgerald leaped into the air and came down with the jump all.

Neil Rackers converted the extra point and the Cardinals trailed 20-14 with 7:41 remaining.

Starting from their own 24, the Steelers appeared to be in good shape, but an inspired Cardinals defense led by defensive tackle Darnell Dockett's sack on 2nd down forced the Steelers into a 3-and-out. The Cardinals would advance the ball from their own 25 to the Steelers 26 with 3:59 remaining. However, Mike Gandy was penalized for another offensive hold on first down. Warner's next 3 passes were incomplete and the Cardinals had no choice but to punt from the Steelers 36 on 4th-and-20.

Ben Graham was able to loft the punt high giving Michael Adams enough time to down the ball and pin the Steelers on their own 2. The Steelers were pushed back to their own 1 when James Harrison was penalized for unneccessary roughness.

Harrison let his emotions get the best of him, but his actions on that play went beyond normal boundaries. NBC Super Bowl analyst John Madden summed up Harrison's personal foul best:

"He should be thrown out for that. I like agressiveness and tough football but there is no place for that."

On first down, Roethlisberger pass to Hines Ward fell incomplete. On second down, Steelers running back Willie Parker was almost stopped in the end zone for a safety, but his second burst and forward motion got the ball back to the 1 for no gain. Arizona used their first timeout to stop the clock at 3:04.

On 3rd-and-10, the Steelers lined up in the shotgun and Big Ben stood his ground in the end zone finding Santonio on the right for a gain of 19 yards. However, Steelers center Justin Hartwig was penalized for holding in the end zone. Since, the infraction occurred in the end zone, the Cardinals were awarded to points for the safety.

Trailing 20-16 with 2:58 remaining, the Cardinals offense started with the ball at their own 36. On 2nd-and-10, Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald capped the rally when he caught Kurt Warner's short pass and converted it into a TD. Warner hit Fitzgerald in perfect stride, who raced 64 yards up the middle for the touchdown that put the Cardinals ahead 23-20.

With less than three minutes remaining it appeared as if momentum would finally stick with the Cardinals.

Act IV: Big Ben: Mr. Clutch

On 1st-and-20 from their own 12, Big Ben connected with Santonio Holmes for a 14-yard gain. The Steelers kept the drive and their hopes alive on 3rd-and-6 when Roethlisberger eluded Arizona's blitz and completed a short pass to Holmes for a first down.

On 1st-and-10 with 1:33 remaining, Roethlisberger scrambled and again eluded the Cardinals blitz finding Washington for an 11-yard completion. On the ensuing play, Roethlisberger was forced out of the pocket, but was able to gain 4 yards on the play.

The key gain of the drive then came when Big Ben connected again with Holmes on the right.

Super Bowl XLIII - Roethlisberger

On the play, Roethlisberger stepped up into the pocket, pumped once and then connected with Holmes on a 10-yard curl route. Cardinals defensive back Aaron Francisco was in a soft coverage, but appeared as if he would limit Holmes to a 10-yard gain. However, in trying to recover on Holmes quick move back to the outside, Francisco lost his footing and fell to the ground. The slip allowed Holmes to advance the ball 40-yards to the Cardinals 6-yard line for a first-and-goal with 48 seconds remaining. Amazingly, Francisco was able to get back on his feet and make the tackle, but not before the damage was done.

On 1st-and-goal from the 6, Roethlisberger zipped a crisp pass to Holmes. Holmes was open and in position to make the catch, but the catchable ball went thru his hands for an incompletion.

Super Bowl XLIII - Santonio Holmes game-winning TD catch

It appeared as if the exhausted Cardinals defense might have been able to hold out for a few more downs. However, on the very next play, Santonio Holmes' unbelievable catch gave the Steelers the 26-23 lead. It took a few minutes to review the play, but in the end it was ruled a completion. Jeff Reed kicked the extra point for the 27-23 lead.

With 29 seconds remaining thet Cardinals had one last hope. Started from their own 23 out of the shotgun, Warner found Fitzgerald on the left for a 20-yard gain.

With 15 seconds remaining and the ball at the Steelers 44-yard line, it appeared as if the Cardinals would have a chance at a miracle and Kurt Warner his chance at sealing Hall of Fame immortality.

Starting out of a shotgun formation, the Cardinals offensive line could not contain the Steelers rush and Warner was forced out of the pocket. Feeling pressure from behind, Warner appeared to have made forward motion when Steelers linebacker Lamar Woodley struck his passing arm and as such an incomplete pass.

However, the referees ruled the play a fumble -- a fumble which the Steelers recovered. Without any review, Ben Roethlisberger took a knee to end the game.

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