Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Arizona Cardinals (-6.5, 46.5)
Santonio Holmes vs. Cardinals’ punt coverage
The Steelers’ punt return team was rather abysmal during the regular season with just 6.6 yards a return, but Holmes and the Steelers have upped their game in the postseason and could provide the Steelers with a shorter field to work with on Sunday.
In its two playoff wins, the Steelers have returned seven punts for an average of 14.1 yards and one touchdown. The lone touchdown, of course, was a 67-yard scamper by speedster by Holmes. He has risen to the occasion in the playoffs with five punt returns for an average of 19.6 yards.
The Arizona punt unit has been solid this postseason after a disappointing first 16 games. Punter Ben Graham took over punting duties midway through the regular season and has been solid in the playoffs. Just five of his 15 punts have been returned and nine were downed inside the 20. With that said, the Cardinals still managed to rank 31st of 32 teams during the regular season with a net punt return average of 13.1 yards. That could mean some things will be open for Holmes and the Steelers.
Pittsburgh defense vs. Arizona offensive line
The offensive line of the Cardinals has improved under O-line coach Russ Grimm, especially during this surprising playoff run. But the unit hasn’t faced anything like the NFL’s top-rated ‘D’ and that may prove a major factor.
Arizona’s offensive line allowed only 29 a remarkable feat for considering only the Saints attempted more passes per game than the Cards. The Red Birds were last in rushing yards with just 73.6 yards a game but that turned around in the postseason. The ground game, thanks largely to a rested and healthy Edgerrin James, increased to 111 yards a game over Zona’s last three games.
Kurt Warner and Company will be facing a whole other test when NFL Defensive Player of the Year James Harrison and crew enters Raymond James Stadium Sunday.
Cardinals’ offense vs. Steelers’ defense on third-down
These are actually strengths of both teams, but it could go a long way towards determining the outcome. The Cardinals’ offense has been lights out on third down during the postseason with a 47 percent conversion rate, which is an improvement from its solid regular season conversion rate of 42 percent. The improved running game of the Cardinals in the playoffs has gone a long way in upping that percentage, but they’ll be facing a daunting task with the Steelers’ defense.
Pittsburgh’s defense was tops in the NFL during the regular season and just 31 percent of opponents’ third downs were successful. The Steelers have been nearly as good during their playoff run with just a 32 percent opposition success rate.