Cards or Steelers? TOUR pros make Super Bowl picks

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Jan. 31, 2009

Editor's note: These PGA TOUR pros are passionate about football. When asked by PGA TOUR Media Official Joe Chemycz who they favored to win Super Bowl XLIII, most sided with the underdog Arizona Cardinals. Check out their explanations below.

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DUDLEY
HART
Steelers 20, Cardinals 17
"Defense. I think, ultimately, defense wins in any sport. I just think they're too solid defensively."
ROCCO
MEDIATE
Steelers
"I don't follow it enough to know scores but coach Wiz (Ken Whisenhunt) is a good buddy of mine so I have a big dilemma. I want Pittsburgh to win but I'll be really happy if he wins. I think it would be really cool. He really should have gotten the Pittsburgh job a couple years ago, sorry. No disrespect to (Mike) Tomlin, but he was ready, he was groomed for that job. He and Russ Grimm did a great job and he got turned down and now just look at him. It's funny that they're playing the Steelers. I can't lose. If one wins, I'm happy, if the other wins, I'm happy. It would be cool for him to win but the Steelers are so tough on defense and Big Ben is so steady. It'll be tough for coach to win but I can't wait to see what happens."
BRANDT
SNEDEKER
Cardinals 24, Steelers 17
"I think it's going to be an upset. I think Kurt Warner is due. They have a really good offense. I know Pittsburgh's defense is good but I just feel like the Cardinals will win. They've been playing great in the playoffs and if they can hang in there the first two quarters and not get run over, they'll have a good chance in the second half."
BEN
CRANE
Cardinals 31, Steelers 24
"The Cardinals are too good of a story. I want to see it end on a good note. The team has gone through so much over the years. There's been turmoil in the locker room. They're putting it all together at just the right time. Kurt Warner and the whole glove thing. MVP again? I love the whole story about the Cardinals!!"
DUSTIN
JOHNSON
Steelers 24, Cardinals 17
"Defense. I don't know if Arizona has played a defense as good as Pittsburgh's in the playoffs. Pittsburgh hasn't seen any warm weather in a while so I think they'd be fired up to play and in top shape. They've been playing in pretty brutal conditions. Plus, you always have to go with defense, especially in a Super Bowl."
MIKE
WEIR
Steelers by 7
"I'll go with the obvious. I think the Steelers' defense will be a little too much. Offensively, I think Arizona is a little stronger but I think Pittsburgh will win by a touchdown."
PAT
PEREZ
Cardinals 24, Steelers 21
"What's the weather going to be like? I'm going with Arizona because I think they're playing unbelievably well right now. I think it'll be close, but I just think they'll edge them out."
BUBBA
WATSON
Cardinals 27, Steelers 7
"I love Kurt Warner. He's a Christian. I love what he's about. I love what he stands for. And we just bought a house out in Scottsdale, so we have to pull for them. As for the score, why not 27-7? If they're going to win, just go ahead and make the fourth quarter easy."
RYAN
PALMER
Cardinals 24, Steelers 19
"They're not supposed to win, they're not supposed to be there. I just think there's something there with them this year."
LUCAS
GLOVER
Steelers 27, Cardinals 21
"I'm a Steelers fan. I have been my whole life. My grandfather, Dick Hendley, played for the Steelers in the 1950s. He was a blocking back in the old single-wing formation. Traditionally, when it's defense against offense, the defense usually wins. Pittsburgh's defense is pretty good I'd say."
TODD
HAMILTON
Cardinals 24, Steelers 20
"Destiny. I saw that they are the franchise that has gone the second-longest time period without a title for major sports. The Cubs are first at 100 years, and the Cardinals are 61 years for football. Its just destiny. That might be a 'heart bet' instead of a 'head bet'."
JOHNSON
WAGNER
Cardinals 35, Steelers 31
"It's just a gut feeling. Nobody is thinking they can win. I also pick them because if I bet on the game, I'd bet on Pittsburgh, and I always lose my bets. This way, the Cardinals win!"
MATT
BETTENCOURT
Cardinals 27, Steelers 23
"I just believe it's destiny. It's fate. The West Coast gets no respect. I think Kurt Warner is just a little hotter right now than Ben Roethlisberger."
GREG
OWEN
Steelers 21, Cardinals 14
"After seeing the Cardinals play New England, I can't see how they'd even have a chance, but they've obviously played well the last three games; but I think Pittsburgh's defense is just too good."
BO
VAN PELT
Cardinals 31, Steelers 27
"I think it's just fate. I think it's their year."
SCOTT
PIERCY
Cardinals 34, Steelers 21
"You can't stop a train once it gets rolling."
BRETT
QUIGLEY
Cardinals by 14
"I think Arizona will win because no one thinks they can win. I think they can. I think, more importantly, they think they can."
CHRIS
COUCH
Steelers 31, Cardinals 13
"Defense wins games. I think Pittsburgh will score a touchdown on defense. I just think they'll beat 'em by a big margin."
TOM
PERNICE
Cardinals
"People say it takes defense to win, but I'm betting on offense."
SCOTT
McCARRON
Cardinals 41, Steelers 21
"I'm going with offense. I like Kurt Warner, and their wide receiver -- Larry Fitzgerald -- is unbelievable. Being a West Coast guy, I have to pull for them. Plus, they're the underdog, and I like puling for the underdog."
HEATH
SLOCUM
Cardinals 28, Steelers 20
"I haven't thought they'd win a game yet, and they keep winning. And they keep winning impressively. I've picked against them every week, and I've been wrong every time."
RYUJI
IMADA
Steelers 28, Cardinals 24
"I just think Pittsburgh's defense will be the difference."
RICK
PRICE
Cardinals 28, Steelers 21
"I like Kurt Warner. He's been impressive. It just seems like it's their year. They're destined. I'm not sure it'll be good for the FBR Open though! Hopefully well be done early so everyone can go watch the game."
BART
BRYANT
Cardinals
"I guess the consensus is Pittsburgh, but I'm pulling for the Cardinals. I grew up in New Mexico, not too far from Phoenix. They're the underdog ... I think it would be a pretty cool story. I know one thing; the fans are going to be crazy on Saturday in Scottsdale (at the FBR Open) ... It will be nuts!"
BRENDON
de JONGE
Steelers 24, Cardinals 17
"Defense wins Super Bowls. Defense wins championships."
RYAN
MOORE
Cardinals
"I don't follow it that much, but I live in the Phoenix area (Scottsdale), so I'm going with the home team."
PETER
TOMASULO
Steelers 24, Cardinals 14
"I think the Steelers will win, but I want the Cardinals. I think Pittsburgh's defense will be able to stop Arizona's offense. I'm a fan of Larry Fitgerald and Ken Wisenhunt. I like watching the Cardinals play."
BRINY
BAIRD
Cardinals 27, Steelers 20
"Fate. I'd like to see Kurt Warner win again. He seems like a pretty good guy, not that the others are not, but I think it would be a pretty cool story."
TIM
HERRON
Steelers
"I'd just like to see the Cardinals win, but I think Pittsburgh will beat them. It would be a great upset. Arizona's got a great offense, but if they get to Warner, it'll be all over."
CHARLEY
HOFFMAN
Cardinals 27, Steelers 18
"I want the Cardinals to win because I was in Pittsburgh when the Steelers beat my San Diego Chargers."
DONNIE
HAMMOND
Steelers 27, Cardinals 17
"Pittsburgh is a big-game team. They've been there. They're going to be more comfortable. I think it will be a close game. It should be a great Super Bowl."
COLT
KNOST
Steelers 31, Cardinals 10
"Arizona's just not that good. Their quarterback is too old. They've had the easiest road through the playoff so far. They were 9-7 or 8-8 during the regular season, right? They're not that good."
MARK
CALCAVECCHIA
Cardinals 27, Steelers 24
"I'm rooting for the Cardinals, I know that! I think it will be a nail-biter. The Cardinals are a team of destiny. I didn't think they'd win their first playoff game. Look who they beat. Playing Atlanta was a big break in the first game, especially at home. Carolina? They're no good. Philadelphia was a good game and I thought they might have a little trouble with that one but they've had three pretty easy teams to beat to get to the Super Bowl. They're peaking. It's all about peaking at the right time. I hate that two-week break though."
TOMMY
ARMOUR III
Cardinals 21, Steelers 17
"No real reason, I just have a feeling they'll win."
JEFF
KLAUK
Steelers 31, Cardinals 17
"The Steelers' defense is just too good."
GREG
CHALMERS
Steelers 34, Cardinals 27
"I think they have more experience in that environment. That, and Hines Ward is playing and he can make a difference for them. He's a very good player and with him healthy, well, it will certainly help."
BILLY
MAYFAIR
Cardinals 34, Steelers 31
"I'm hoping they'll win. I'm happy the Cardinals are there. I think it would a bit ironic that both the Diamondbacks and the Cardinals could bring world championships to Arizona before the Phoenix Suns do. Everyone thought the Suns would be the first, and they've had chances. The Suns seem like they're a pick. It should be a good game. No one expected the Cardinals to get this far and I think they're a lot better than people think they are. They're the hottest team right now. Will the two weeks hurt them? Probably so."
RICH
BEEM
Steelers by a bunch
"I think they'll win by at least 10. Plus, my father-in-law is a big Steelers' fan and he says they're going to win! I think it'll be a helluva game. I do like watching Larry Fitzgerald, though. He is unbelievable."
GLEN
DAY
Steelers by 10
"I'm not really pulling for one side versus the other, so I have to root for the underdog. I think Pittsburgh will win, but I'm pulling for the Cardinals."
BILL
LUNDE
Cardinals 35, Steelers 28
"The Chargers aren't in it so I'm going with the Cardinals. They are just a Cinderella story. I think it would be really cool for them to win. I mean they weren't supposed to be that good and here they are playing in the Super Bowl. It would be a pretty cool story for Kurt Warner, too. For him to go from the grocery store to Super Bowl MVP to all around the league and then back to the Super Bowl again, that's pretty amazing. I think Warner will throw some touchdowns!"
JASON
GORE
Steelers 34, Cardinals 17
"The Steelers are just a better team. Defense always wins championships. The Cardinals are playing great but under that kind of pressure of a Super Bowl, you've got to go with the best defensive team. Good defensive teams always beat good offensive teams just because the offensive team is subject to mistakes."
VAUGHN
TAYLOR
Steelers 24, Cardinals 21
"I think the Steelers just have too much defense. I realize how good Arizona's offense is and they have done it before. I have to admit I'm pulling for the Cardinals."
LEE
JANZEN
Cardinals 34, Steelers 31
"I'm going with the upset. With two weeks to prepare, I think the Cardinals will be able to put some points on the board and muster up enough defense to win the game. I think the Cardinals will score at the end of the game to win the game."
MATT
KUCHAR
Steelers 34, Cardinals 21
"I'm disappointed my Falcons aren't in it. Big Ben's been there, done that."
HARRISON
FRAZAR
Steelers 23, Cardinals 10
"I think the Steelers' defense will score once and Rothlisberger will get down there a couple times to score because they'll have good field position. I just don't see the Cardinals being able to score 3 1/2 touchdowns."
ROBERT
GAMEZ
Cardinals
"I don't pay that close attention to the games but since I went to school in Arizona, I've got to go with the Cardinals. Their offense if pretty impressive."
CASEY
WITTENBERG
Steelers by 10
"They've been there. I think there will be more pressure on Warner than on Rothlisberger because this might be Warner's last shot."
DAVID
TOMS
Cardinals
"I have to go with the Cardinals and my fellow (LSU) Tiger Early Doucet. I'm hoping he'll get some playing time and maybe catch a touchdown or two."
STEVE
FLESCH
Steelers by 14
"The Steelers defense is just too good. I have to go with what my 10-year old says. He says 'they hurt somebody on the other team every game.' Pittsburgh's defense is too good, you just can't score against them."
STEVE
MARINO
Cardinals 31, Steelers 28
"Nothing I can put a finger on. Just a feeling, ya know?"
CHRIS
STROUD
Cardinals 28, Steelers 21
"I'm going with the Cardinals because I just like underdogs. They've got some spirit."
KEN
DUKE
Cardinals 31, Steelers 24
"It's just like the New York Giants last year. They've got momentum. Everybody has come together and they're all working together. Arizona is playing so good right now and it just seems like it's coming together at just the right time."
BILLY
ANDRADE
Steelers 31, Cardinals 13
"The Steelers' defense is just unbelievable and the offense is better than they're getting credit for. They've been there and Arizona's going to have that deer-in-the-headlights look. Defense usually wins in big games. They might have a harder time scoring if Hines Ward doesn't play but I still think they're the superior team."
NICK
WATNEY
Steelers 24, Cardinals 17
"I think Pittsburgh is going to win, but I want Arizona. I think Pittsburgh is just too good, all around. I'd like to see the Cardinals win because I enjoy pulling for the underdog and I like watching Larry Fitzgerald."
JOE
OGILVIE
Steelers
"The only thing that matters is the 'W.' Nothing else has gone right for me so far this year. I can't seem to get the golf ball into the hole on a regular basis so maybe the football will at least find the end zone."
JEFF
QUINNEY
Cardinals 31, Steelers 27
"I think they've got a chance. They've had a nice run so far and if they can get Boldin healthy they'll cause some problems. I know Pittsburgh's got a tough defense but with some good weather in Tampa, maybe the Cardinals will feel at home and be able to get their offense going."
CAMERON
BECKMAN
Cardinals 28, Steelers 24
"The Cardinals have too much experience at quarterback. Kurt Warner knows what he's doing and they just seem to be on a roll right now."
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