Week 21 Passing Matchups

by Mark Wimer and Joe Bryant, Exclusive to Footballguys.com

[ARI] [PIT]

PLEASE NOTE: This does NOT replace the Cheatsheet ranking. The Cheatsheet rankings are the final say on where we see a player for that week. The Matchup Breakdowns are simply one more tool in the box when it comes to helping choose your lineup.

Also note, just because a player has a "bad" matchup, it does NOT mean he's not a starter in your league. If Peyton Manning is playing the toughest pass defense in the league, that just means he's got a tough matchup that week. He's also your starter unless you're loaded at QB. In the same way, if the worst QB on your roster has a "great" matchup that week, it doesn't necessarily mean he's your starter. It means we think he'll fare better than normal that week.

Bottom line is that the cheatsheets are the final say.

Arizona Cardinals Passing Offense at Pittsburgh Steelers Passing Defense (Neutral Matchup)

Arizona's offense is able to win playoff games due to Kurt Warner's throwing arm, and due to Larry Fitzgerald's dominance as a receiver. Warner has thrown 61/92 for 770 yards, 8 TDs and 2 interceptions during the playoffs; Fitzgerald has accounted for 23/419/5 as a receiver during the 3-game span. When one guy represents over 50% of a team's pass attack (as Fitzgerald has been during the 2nd season), he is playing quite well - Fitzgerald has been outstanding throughout the playoffs. Anquan Boldin (4/34/0 receiving vs. Philly, 2nd to Fitzgerald's 9/152/3) has come back from his sore hamstring and practiced on Thursday and Friday during the bye week - he seems to be over his injury entering the final week of the post season. Steve Breaston (1/10/0 vs. Philly) has chipped in with 7/77/0 receiving during the 3 playoff contests played to date. The Cardinals' QB showed his ability to deal with heavy blitzing during the NFC Championship, burning the Eagles for 21/28 for 279 yards, 4 TDs and 0 interceptions despite heavy pass pressure - Warner is adept at throwing accurately with mere milliseconds to "read" the defense thanks to his years dodging blitzers in Mike Martz's offense. He is playing at the top of his abilities entering Super Bowl XLIII.

"I used to love those trick plays," Steelers' defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau said of Arizona HC (and ex-Steeler OC) Ken Whisenhunt's penchant for unusual plays at media day. "They got us a Super Bowl championship, but now I'm not so sure I'm a big fan of them." Regarding the Cardinals' stable of receivers, Pittsburgh's defensive backs' coach Ray Horton said: "Nobody plays a vertical game like he [Larry Fitzgerald] plays a vertical game at the ball -- nobody...If they jump, you cut 'em," Horton said. "Let 'em land on their head. Maybe that'll get 'em out of it. I think that's one of our specialties. We're known for hitting people and hitting 'em hard, making 'em look, (making them hear) footsteps, all that stuff. Yeah, that's all part of the game." Considering that the Steelers were first in the NFL during regular season, averaging just 156.9 net passing yards allowed per game, with a mere 12 passing TDs given up over 16 games, it was no surprise to see young Joe Flacco struggle in the AFC Championship game - 13/30 for 125 net yards, 0 TDs and 3 interceptions. Philip Rivers had better luck, throwing for 275 net yards and 3 TDs with 1 interceptions, but even so the Steelers have averaged 200 net passing yards allowed per game, with 4 interceptions and 7 sacks to their credit during their 2 playoff games. Troy Polamalu was all over the place vs. Baltimore and looks like he is at the top of his game entering Super Bowl XLIII - the Steelers' pass D is among the league's elite units, friends.

Two elite units square off in this game, on neutral ground in Tampa. That sounds about even to us.

The official NFL injury report with Probable, Questionable, Doubtful and Out designations will be available by Saturday. Please refer to the week 21 injury report for the latest injury news regarding your players.

Pittsburgh Steelers Passing Offense vs Arizona Cardinals Passing Defense (Neutral Matchup)

Hines Ward was unable to cut or turn as of Monday this week due to his injured knee (MCL sprain), but he insists he'll be on the field for the Super Bowl. "I'm playing," Ward said. "I would have played if the game had been last week. I don't have a brace on, I'm walking around fine. I'm not going to be 100 percent, I'm not going to trick anybody. But I think I'm going to be able to go out there and perform like I'm used to." Ward is expected to try and practice on Thursday, but he is probably going to skip Wednesday's session, according to reports out of Pittsburgh. The Steelers, who have been led in receiving yards by Ward during the playoffs (7/125/0) certainly hope he can play and play well during the Super Bowl. Santonio Holmes (4/95/1) has led the team in fantasy points so far this post-season. Ben Roethlisberger (33/59 for 436 yards, 2 TDs and 0 interceptions during the post-season) has been protecting the ball well and providing enough juice to the offense to win games, although he hasn't been spectacular in any contest to date (16/33 for 255 yards, 1 TD and 0 interceptions vs. the Ravens during the AFC Championship most recently).

The Cardinals' pass D has been less impressive than their rush D during the playoff run - the team averages 247 net yards allowed per game. Between Donovan McNabb (28/47 for 357 net yards, 3 TDs and 1 interception), Jake Delhomme (17/34 for 194 yards, 1 TD and 5 interceptions) and Matt Ryan (26/40 for 190 yards, 2 TDs and 2 interceptions), opposing passers have generated 6 of the 8 TDs given up by Arizona during the playoffs. However, the Cardinals' DBs have generated 8 interceptions, and the guys up front have 7 sacks to their credit during the playoffs - they are pressuring opposing passers in the backfield and in the secondary. As the Cardinals led the league in pass TDs allowed during regular season (with 36 handed over), it is no surprise to see teams attacking their DBs during January. Obviously, this one depends a great deal on how well Hines Ward is able to play. Right now, we're calling it neutral.