Another (small, very small) cog in the Super Bowl XLIII hype machine

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Outlined against a cloudless late-January sky, there’s bountiful sunshine and fresh air on an unseasonably warm Southern California day.

Somehow, magically, and without notice, Greatest Pro Bowls of all time, and other stuff has managed to avoid hearing anything about the Cardinals and Steelers — opponents pitted against each other in the annual battle royale known as the Super Bowl — for a significant amount of time. Early estimates have go as long as 18 hours since the last “Cardinals” or “Steelers” references.

That means …

No discussion on how the Cardinals will attempt to handle the multiple, and dastardly, blitz schemes of the Steelers.

No discussion on how the Steelers will prevent all-world ball catcher Larry Fitzgerald from burning them for a game-changing, back-breaking play.

No discussion on how that aforementioned all-world ball catcher’s dad is a journalist who will be covering the big game in Tampa.

No discussion on how old Kurt Warner is, or that his wife will be in attendance at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium.

No discussion on how Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt, or his right-hand man Russ Grimm, used to coach the Steelers and they were passed on when the team’s top coaching spot came available and eventually went to current coach Mike Tomlin.

No discussion on how the aforementioned coach is the youngest to ever coach in the Super Bowl.

No discussion on the fact that the Cardinals have never played in a Super Bowl, and haven’t experienced any real measurable amount of success since the late 40s.

No discussion on how lame — or cool, depending on your point of view — it is that the Steelers don’t have cheerleaders.

Well, those happy times are over now that we’re approximately 24 hours away from kickoff of Super Bowl XLIII (43 to those who don’t read Roman numerals), a fixture which features America’s Team, the Cardinals, against a decided favorite, the Steelers.

Now, Greatest Pro Bowls of all time, and other stuff is craving a healthy dose of “Super Bowl memories with Steve Sabol.” Unfortunately, there are none to be found on the television (Greatest Pro Bowls of all time, and other stuff should note that Greatest Pro Bowls of all time, and other stuff does not get the NFL Network under Greatest Pro Bowls of all time, and other stuff’s current cable television agreement, which is totally bogus).

Instead, it’s time to give the final prediction of this NFL season.

This is a significantly somber moment here at Greatest Pro Bowls of all time, and other stuff, which has had the priviledge of blogging like mad men during this football season.

The end of football season is met with great consequence. It ushers in a period of time known as the offseason, during which much attention will be given to college football stars entering the NFL Draft, many of whom will not amount to much in the professional ranks. Some of whom, however, will have a profound influence on the game and help continue to make football the greatest of all sports to watch.

The end of the football season also ushers in a period of time sports fans know — and even non-sports fans, but sports fans far more significantly — as February. This is a dark, dangerous month that is thankfully only 28 days long. It is the period of time between the end of football season and the beginning of baseball’s spring training and college basketball’s March Madness. This is the dark, dangerous time that Greatest Pro Bowls of all time, and other stuff began to embrace soccer as a nice diversion from its greatest sporting pleasures. This is also the dark, dangerous month when Greatest Pro Bowls of all time, and other stuff attempts to give the NBA a try, only to find it a tediously dull endeavor.

Now, back to the subject at hand …

Super Bowl XLIII pick:

Cardinals 27, Steelers 20

Greatest Pro Bowls of all time, and other stuff will admit that this is a sentimental pick. Greatest Pro Bowls of all time, and other stuff is sorta-kinda rooting for the Cardinals. But wouldn’t it be fun if unbelievable and unpredictable history is made in Tampa?

The great Super Bowl cheerleader showdown I

There’s probably no better way to determine the winner of the Super Bowl than by which team features the best cheerleaders.

Let’s start with the Pittsburgh Steelers …

Now, on to the Cardinals …

Turns out that while the Cardinals do feature a cheerleading squad, the Steelers are one of a few NFL teams that do not have cheerleaders, a group that also includes the Bears, Browns, Giants, Jets, Lions and Packers. Cheerleaders, or no cheerleaders? Does it really matter? Discuss!

Best of the Super Bowls

With Super Bowl XLIII on the horizon, let’s take a look back at the best and worst from the Super Bowl’s 42-year history.

After careful research and contemplation, here’s an updated list of the Super Bowls greatest memories (of course, the ranks are up for debate, as well as items that many may suggest warrant consideration). Not surprisingly, there’s plenty from last year’s 17-14 Giants victory over the Patriots that made the cut.

Best games:
1) SB XLII: Giants 17, Patriots 14
2) SB XXXVI: Patriots 20, Rams 17
3) SB XXV: Giants 20, Bills 19
4) SB XXXIV: Rams 23, Titans 16
5) SB XXIII: 49ers 20, Bengals 16

Best upsets:
1) SB III: Jets 16, Colts 7
2) SB XLII: Giants 17, Patriots 14
3) SB XXXVI: Patriots 20, Rams 17
4) SB XXXII: Broncos 31, Packers 24
5) SB IV: Chiefs 23, Vikings 7

Greatest Super Bowl blowouts:
1) SB XXIV: 49ers 55, Broncos 10
2) SB XXVII: Cowboys 52, Bills 17
3) SB XXIX: 49ers 49, Chargers 26
4) SB XX: Bears 46, Patriots 10
5) SB XXXVII: Buccaneers 48, Raiders 21

Best player performance:
1) SB XXIX: Steve Young — 325 pass yards, 6 TD
2) SB XXIV: Joe Montana — 297 pass yards, 5 TD
3) SB XVIII: Marcus Allen — 191 rush yards, 2 TD
4) SB XIII: Terry Bradshaw — 318 pass yards, 4 TD
5) (tie) SB XXII: Doug Williams — 340 pass yards, 4 TD;
(tie) SB X: Lynn Swann — 4 catches, 161 yards, TD;
(tie) SB XXI: Phil Simms — 22-for-25, 268 yds, 3 TD

Most impressive Super Bowl defensive performance:
1) SB XXXV: Ravens 34, N.Y. Giants 7
2) SB XXXVII: Buccaneers 48, Raiders 21
3) SB XX: Bears 46, Patriots 10
4) SB VI: Cowboys 24, Dolphins 3
5) (tie) SB XXXVI: Patriots 20, Rams 17;
(tie) SB XLII: Giants 17, Patriots 14

Best Super Bowl partier/performer:
1) SB I: Max McGee
2) SB XX: Jim McMahon
3) SB XV: entire Oakland Raiders roster
4) SB XXXI: Brett Favre
5) SB III: Joe Namath

Best signature (NFL Films) moment:
1) SB XLII: Eli Manning somehow escapes the Patriots’ pass rush to complete an improbable pass to David Tyree, who holds the ball firmly against his helmet while being taken down by the Patriots’ Rodney Harrison
2) SB XI: Willie Brown returns INT 75 yards for TD to clinch Raiders’ win
3) SB XVIII: Marcus Allen reverses field for 74-yard TD run against Redskins in SB XVIII
4) SB III: “Broadway” Joe Namath runs off the field pointing finger to sky after making his “guarantee” come true
5) SB XXIII: Before directing Super Bowl-winning drive, Joe Montana informs teammates in huddle to check out John Candy in stands

Best clutch play:
1) SB XLII: Manning’s pass to Tyree set up the game-winning touchdown
2) SB XXXIV: Mike Jones tackles Kevin Dyson one yard short of potential game-tying touchdown as time expires
3) SB XXXVI: Adam Vinatieri wins Super Bowl with 48-yard field goal on game’s final play
4) SB XXXVIII: Adam Vinatieri wins Super Bowl with 41-yard field goal with :04 left
5) SB XXIII: Joe Montana hits John Taylor for game-winning touchdown in Super Bowl XXIII with 34 seconds left (NOTE: not No. 1 because there were still 34 ticks left)

Biggest choke play:
1) SB XIII: Jackie Smith drops certain TD pass on 3rd down, Dallas forced to kick field goal in 35-31 loss
2) SB XXV: Scott Norwood misses potential game-winning 47-yard field goal on game’s final play
3) SB XXX: Neil O’Donnell throws second INT to Larry Brown in game’s final minutes, sealing Steelers’ loss
4) SB V: Craig Morton tosses interception to the Colts’ Mike Curtis in the final moments, which sets up Jim O’Brien’s game-winning kick
5) SB XXXVIII: After Carolina tied the game at 29-29 with just over a minute left, Panthers kicker John Kasay sent the ensuing kickoff out of bounds to give Tom Brady & the Patriots field position at the 40-yard line for game-winning drive

Best blooper:
1) SB VII: Garo Yepremian’s attempted pass that turned into a Redskins touchdown
2) SB XXVII: Don Beebe chases down Leon Lett and forces a fumble-turned-touchback after Lett struts and holds ball out to celebrate a score prematurely
3) SB XX: 300-plus pound DL William “The Refrigerator” Perry plunges 1 yard for TD in Bears win
4) SB I: Officials re-kick opening kickoff of second half after NBC missed initial kick during sideline interview with Bob Hope
5) SB XXVIII: Thurman Thomas misses first few plays because teammate accidentally grabs his helmet on sideline

Best halftime show:
1) U2 at Super Bowl XXXVI
2) Re-creation of the Battle of New Orleans at Super Bowl IV
3) Tom Petty at Super Bowl XLII
4) 3-D show at Super Bowl XXIII
5) Janet Jackson shows bare right breast at end of Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show with Justin Timberlake

Best Super Bowl postscripts:
1) After Joe Namath and the New York Jets’ stunning upset of the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III the Super Bowl takes on a whole new meaning, eventually becoming the biggest annual sporting event in the nation and a de facto American holiday
2) Days after winning Super Bowl II, Vince Lombardi steps down as Packers head coach. After winning five championships in seven years, it will take another 29 years for the Packers to return to the Super Bowl
3) Following a 30-13 triumph over the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXVIII, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and his head coach Jimmy Johnson have a falling out. The two parted ways and Johnson was replaced by Barry Switzer
4) Legendary Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway retires after his team wins Super Bowl XXXIII
5) (tie) After winning Super Bowl XXV, Bill Parcells steps down as New York Giants head coach and is replaced by Ray Handley. The next season, the Giants fail to make the playoffs. Parcells does the same to the New England Patriots after taking that team to Super Bowl XXXI, and leaves to coach the New York Jets saying, “If you have to cook the food, they should at least let you shop for the groceries.”

Best Super Bowl quotes:
1) SB III: Joe Namath three days before the game, “We’re going to win Sunday. I guarantee you.”
2) SB I: Vince Lombardi after Packers beat Chiefs 35-10, “I don’t think Kansas City compares with the best teams in the NFL. Dallas is a better team. There. That’s what you wanted me to say, isn’t it?”
3) SB XXIII: Cris Collinsworth to Bengals teammate before Joe Montana’s game-winning drive for 49ers, after teammate began prematurely celebrating, “Don’t you see who’s at quarterback out there?”
4) SB XIII: Cowboys linebacker Thomas “Hollywood” Henderson, “Terry Bradshaw couldn’t spell ‘cat’ if you spotted him the ‘C’ and the ‘A.’”
5) SB XXII: Reporter to Redskins quarterback Doug Williams, “How long have you been a black quarterback?”

Best venues:
1) Rose Bowl, Pasadena, Calif.
2) Jack Murphy/Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, Calif.
3) Reliant Stadium, Houston
4) Joe Robbie/Pro Player Stadium, Miami, Fla.
5) Orange Bowl, Miami, Fla.

Best host cities:
1) New Orleans
2) San Diego
3) Miami
4) Los Angeles
5) Tampa

Top five cities we’d like to see host Super Bowls, but know it will likely never happen:
1) Chicago
2) Green Bay
3) Seattle
4) Cleveland
5) Denver

Top 10 conference championship games

“Then run it and let’s get the hell out of here.” — Vince Lombardi to Packers QB Bart Starr, moments before Starr scored the game-winning touchdown in the famous “Ice Bowl.”

On the eve on what is arguably football’s greatest day — conference championship Sunday — it’s appropriate to bust out this list of the top 10 greatest conference championship games played in the Super Bowl era:

10. 1983 NFC Championship, Redskins vs. 49ers: The Redskins busted out and held a 21-0 lead going into the fourth quarter, but 49ers quarterback Joe Montana nearly pulled off the greatest fourth quarter comeback in playoff history. After fighting back to tie the game at 21-21, the Redskins retook the lead, and claimed the NFC title, on Mark Moseley’s 25-yard field goal.

9. 1995 AFC Championship, Steelers vs. Colts: The wild-card, cardiac Colts made it a real headache for the Steelers, who almost dropped a second straight conference championship game to a seemingly inferior opponent. The Colts held a lead in the fourth quarter, then almost won the game on quarterback Jim Harbaugh’s last-second desperation heave.

In an era when the AFC representative was simply blowout fodder for superior NFC opponents in the Super Bowl, the conference produced back-to-back classics. A year before the Colts pushed the Steelers to the brink of defeat, the Chargers pulled off a shocker in the 1994 AFC Championship at wet Three Rivers Stadium. Dennis Gibson batted away Neil O’Donnell’s fourth-down pass with a minute remaining and the Chargers advanced to the first Super Bowl in team history.

8. 1990 NFC Championship, Giants vs. 49ers: In a tightly-contested, physical football game, which saw legendary quarterback Joe Montana knocked out of the game with an injury, Matt Bahr’s 42-yard game-winning field goal as time expired lifted the Giants over the two-time Super Bowl champion 49ers 15-13.

7. 2007 NFC Championship, Giants vs. Packers: The wild-card, upstart Giants won their third playoff game on the road, this time in an overtime thriller at frigid Lambeau Field, setting the stage for one of the greatest upsets in Super Bowl history, a 17-14 triumph over the previously unbeaten Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.

6. 1987 AFC Championship, Broncos vs. Browns: A year after “The Drive” (see No. 3), there was “The Fumble.” Earnest Byner, scampering in for an apparent game-tying touchdown with 1:05 left in the game, fumbled and the ball was recovered by the Broncos, who won the game 38-33. This all followed a frantic comeback attempt by the Browns, who trailed 21-3 in what looked early like a Broncos blowout.

5. 2006 AFC Championship, Colts vs. Patriots: Peyton Manning finally exorcised his greatest postseason demon, the Patriots. After two of their previous three playoff appearances ended with bitter losses to the Patriots, the Colts rallied from an 18-point second-quarter deficit to prevail in a showdown for the ages.

4. 1998 NFC Championship, Falcons vs. Vikings: After setting offensive scoring records in the regular season, many figured the potent Vikings would make quick work of the visiting Falcons. Instead, the Falcons fought back from a 13-point deficit to win in exciting fashion in overtime on Morten Andersen’s 38-yard field goal.

3. 1986 AFC Championship, Broncos vs. Browns: The first in a long line of bitter playoff defeats by the Browns to the Broncos, this one in the Browns’ own yard, Cleveland Municipal Stadium. With Denver trailing 20-13 with 5:32 to play, John Elway made a name for himself by guiding the Broncos on a five-minute, 98-yard touchdown drive to tie the game. The Broncos made quick work of the Browns in overtime, winning on Rich Karlis’ 33-yard field goal in sudden death.

2. 1981 NFC Championship, 49ers vs. Cowboys: Five years before “The Drive,” there was “The Catch.” Upstart San Francisco faced the old guard Dallas Cowboys. In a back-and-forth tussle, Dwight Clark’s leaping catch of a Joe Montana pass in the back of the end zone proved to be the final tally in a 28-27 49ers victory. A final Dallas drive showed promise, but was thwarted when the 49ers forced a Cowboys fumble and ended their hopes of a championship. The 49ers went on to win their first Super Bowl.

1. 1967 NFL Championship, Packers vs. Cowboys: In today’s NFL, the Packers would likely have kicked the game-tying field goal on fourth down at the 1-yard line and send the game into overtime. However, Vince Lombardi thought differently. Never did kicking a field goal become an option (maybe because the goal posts were on the goal line, rather than the end line). Bart Starr’s 1-yard dive with 13 seconds left gave the Packers a 21-17 win in some of the most frigid conditions ever for an NFL game, a showdown that would later become known as the “Ice Bowl.”

Just missed the cut: 1994 AFC Championship, Chargers vs. Steelers; 1992 NFC Championship, Cowboys vs. 49ers; 1979 AFC Championship, Steelers vs. Oilers; 1977 AFC Championship, Broncos vs. Raiders; 1968 AFL Championship, Jets vs. Raiders; 1966 NFL Championship, Packers vs. Cowboys.

Cardinals play lead role in theater of the absurd

“Fight on, my men, Sir Andrew says. A little I’m hurt, but yet not slain; I’ll but lie down and bleed awhile. And then I’ll rise and fight again.” — Buffalo Bills coach Marv Levy to his team after losing Super Bowl XXV to the New York Giants.

Two No. 1 seeds fell.

Three road teams prevailed.

A team that had not won consecutive playoff games in its history, and hasn’t played for a championship in 60 years, reached heights once thought unimaginable even by the most optimistic of fans.

It was a divisional playoff weekend unlike anything football fans have seen before.

Two weeks of unthinkable madness has the Arizona Cardinals — a franchise not long ago mentioned prominently in “worst teams ever” conversations — on the cusp of a Super Bowl.

The Cardinals’ historic triumph over the favored Carolina Panthers, coupled with the Eagles’ victory over the defending Super Bowl champion Giants, means that football fans will be treated to a conference championship showdown the likes of which haven’t been seen in more than 60 years.

The Cardinals and Eagles met in consecutive NFL title games in 1947 and 1948. The ‘48 game marks the last time the Cardinals — the last NFC team to reach the conference-championship game in the Super Bowl era — played for a title.

Here’s a recap of what transpired in those classic Cardinals-Eagles confrontations from yesteryear:

» In 1947, the Cardinals — then of Chicago — rode the “Million Dollar Backfield” of Hall of Fame halfback Charley Trippi, quarterback Paul Christman, fullback Pat Harder and halfback Elmer Angsman to the NFL title with a 28-21 victory over the Eagles at old Comiskey Park. It’s still the only championship-game victory in Cardinals history.

» In 1948, the Cardinals and Eagles met again (video highlights), this time at Philadelphia’s Shibe Park, where a blizzard ( photo) halted the Cardinals’ famed “Million Dollar Backfield”, and the Eagles claimed a 7-0 victory as Hall of Famer Steve Van Buren scored the lone touchdown. It was the first of two NFL championships for the Eagles. Philadelphia won the 1960 NFL title and later lost Super Bowl XV and Super Bowl XXXIX

For the first time since 1997, when the No. 4-seeded Denver Broncos beat the No. 2-seeded Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXII, there will not be a No. 1 seed to reach the Super Bowl.

Last week, Greatest Pro Bowls of all time, and other stuff predicted that the Eagles and Ravens would advance to Super Bowl XLIII.

Like any other good diehard football fan, Greatest Pro Bowls of all time, and other stuff reserves the right to change its mind on a whim, which it will do right now.

Predicted Super Bowl XLIII lineup: Steelers vs. Eagles

Still, Greatest Pro Bowls of all time, and other stuff has a funny feeling about those Cardinals, who will be playing in front of a wild crowd at Glendale’s University of Phoenix Stadium, which has hosted more than its fair share of memorable, simply stupid, football moments in its short existence.

If Super Bowl XLII and the 2007 Fiesta Bowl ring a bell, then you, too, might also hold a sliver of hope that the Cardinals can pull off the unthinkable and reach the Super Bowl.

Let’s fix that NFL playoff bracket

“All men make mistakes, but only wise men learn from their mistakes.” — Some name from the history books named Winston Churchill.

(Photo by Ben Liebenberg/NFL.com)

Umm … yeah … oopsy daisy.

Last week, Greatest Pro Bowls of all time, and other stuff filled out its NFL playoff bracket and, well, mistakes were made.

Most notably, a bright and bold prediction that the Indianapolis Colts would win Super Bowl XLIII.

The Colts lost to the Chargers in an overtime thriller that harkened back memories of some very profound playoff showdowns of NFL past.

It was the only game Greatest Pro Bowls of all time, and other stuff missed during the NFL’s wild-card weekend. Turns out, it was devastating and embarrassing.

The predicted loser to the Colts in Super Bowl XLIII? Yes, Greatest Pro Bowls of all time, and other stuff picked the Giants. Who wouldn’t have wanted to see a Peyton vs. Eli showdown in the Super Bowl? Well, this week, Greatest Pro Bowls of all time, and other stuff is going to rectify that prediction.

“A man’s errors are his portals of discovery.” — James Joyce, writer, poet, man who made a handy quote for the Greatest Pro Bowls of all time, and other stuff blog.

Let’s amend that NFL playoff bracket …

Divisional playoffs:
Ravens over Titans
Steelers over Chargers
Panthers over Cardinals
Eagles over Giants

Conference championships:
Ravens over Steelers
Eagles over Panthers

Super Bowl XLIII:
Eagles over Ravens

Tune in next week when Greatest Pro Bowls of all time, and other stuff will likely have to amend that NFL playoff bracket at least one more time.

Filling out that NFL playoff bracket

“Playoffs? Don’t talk about playoffs. You kidding me? Playoffs?” — Jim Mora, in an infamous rant as Colts coach back in 2001.

While the college football world pines for undefeated Utah — unexpected champions of the Sugar Bowl — to get a shot at the winner of the Florida-Oklahoma showdown, professional football fans are focused on something that is a novel concept in the collegiate game … playoffs.

Without further ado, let’s dig into the final Just-Totally-Made-Up NFL BCS^TM rankings of the season. In this final tally, you’ll get a good glimpse of which teams Greatest Pro Bowls of all time, and other stuff really likes in the playoffs.

Check it out …

1. Indianapolis Colts — Finished regular season with nine-game winning streak and will need to extend that to 13 in order to lift the coveted Lombardi Trophy after Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa. This team — led by three-time NFL MVP Peyton Manning — is fully capable of making such a historical march.

2. Carolina Panthers — Simply just think this team has the complete package to make a Super Bowl run.

3. New York Giants — This is the time of year when the Giants will miss Plaxico Burress the most.

4. Tennessee Titans — Not a believer in this team whatsoever.

5. Baltimore Ravens — With that defense, this team is fully capable of making a deep playoff run.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers — A third showdown with division rival Baltimore would be fun for impartial football fans, but Steelers fans better be rooting for the Dolphins on Sunday.

7. Miami Dolphins — Miracle ride from 1-15 to AFC East division champions was fun, but comes to a bitter end in wild-card showdown with Baltimore.

8. Philadelphia Eagles — Maybe, just may be this year’s version of last year’s Giants. Stay tuned.

9. Atlanta Falcons — Will face an electric atmosphere at Glendale’s University of Phoenix Stadium.

10. Minnesota Vikings — Tarvaris Jackson will have a difficult time handling Eagles D coordinator Jim Johnson’s complicated blitz schemes.

11. Arizona Cardinals — Haven’t won a home playoff game since 1947, when home was Chicago’s Comiskey Park.

12. San Diego Chargers — Enter another playoff season with star running back LaDainian Tomlinson’s status in serious doubt.

Teams that would be relegated if the NFL were like European soccer …

30. Kansas City Chiefs — Showed some competitive spirit, but simply couldn’t close out victories.

31. St. Louis Rams — Suddenly, the “Greatest Show on Turf” days seem like a distant memory.

32. Detroit Lions — Move over 1976 Buccaneers, you have competition for distinction of “the worst team in NFL history.”

Wild-Card Weekend picks

Cardinals over Falcons
Colts over Chargers
Ravens over Dolphins
Eagles over Vikings

Let’s continue filling out that playoff bracket …

Divisional playoffs:
Colts over Titans
Ravens over Steelers
Giants over Eagles
Panthers over Cardinals

Championship games:
Colts over Ravens
Giants over Panthers

Super Bowl XLIII:
Colts over Giants