Steelers win Super Bowl 27-23

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes (10) , Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7), Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and team owner Daniel M. Rooney celebrate the Pittsburgh Steelers defeating the Arizona Cardinals 27-23 in the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

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Updated: Monday, 02 Feb 2009, 1:30 AM EST
Published : Sunday, 01 Feb 2009, 6:47 PM EST

Ryan Walsh

TAMPA, FL (WWLP) - Pittsburgh executed a 2-minute drill, after it found itself trailing for the first time all game. Santonio Holmes made a great catch in the corner of the endzone and got both toes down to give the Steelers the 27-23 lead with less than a minute to play. Arizona drove into Steelers territory before Kurt Warner fumbled with five seconds to play. The Steelers recovered and ran out the clock, to win their 6th Super Bowl title.

The Cardinals took the lead in the 4th quarter. Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald connected for a 64 yard catch and run touchdown, with less than 3 mintues to play.

That drive happened after Arizona got a safety. On a 3rd and long at their own endzone, Ben Roethlisberger completed a pass for a first down to Santonio Holmes, but holding was called. Roethlisberger was in the endzone at the time, which is an automatic safety for Arizona.

Arizona kept their hopes alive in the 4th quarter, with an 87 yard, 8 play touchdown drive. The Cardinals went to their bread and butter, passing every play on that drive, which resulted in a Larry Fitzgerald touchdown. The Steelers led 20-14 at that point.

The Steelers dominated 3rd quarter. Pittsburgh had a 16 play, 8 and a half minute drive in that resulted in a field goal. Pittsburgh took a 20-7 lead with a little more than 2 minutes to play in the 3rd quarter.

Late in the first half, It looked like a Roethlisberger interception would turn into points for Arizona, but Kurt Warner returned the favor. Steelers linebacker James Harrison picked off Warner at the goal line and returned it 100 yards for a touchdown as time ran out in the first half. A huge momentum swing as the teams headed into the locker room. Pittsburgh had a 17-7 led at the half.

With a possible rout in the making, Kurt Warner and the Arizona Cardinals decided to show up to the Super Bowl. Anquan Boldin had a 45-yard catch on the drive, capped by a 1-yard touchdown pass from Warner to tight end Ben Patrick. Pittsburgh still held a 10-7 lead in the 2nd quarter.

Pittsburgh has not been great in short-yardage situations at the goal line this season, but at the start of the 2nd quarter, Gary Russell punched in a score on 3rd and goal to give the Steelers a 10-0 lead.

Arizona won the coin toss and deferred to the 2nd half. Pittsburgh took the opening kickoff and drove down the field. On 3rd and goal, Roethlisberger dove towards the endzone. The referee orginally called the play a touchdown, but Arizona head coach Ken Whisenhunt challenged. The call was overturned and the Steelers settled for a field goal a 3-0 lead.

Santonio Holmes was named the games Most Valuable Player. Holmes had 9 catches for 131 yards and the game-winning score. Roethlisberger was 21-30 for 256 yards, tossing 1 touchdown and 1 interception.

Arizona's Kurt Warner was 31-43 for 377 yards. He threw 3 touchdown, 1 interception and fumbled once. 2 of those touchdowns were to Larry Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald caught 7 passes for 127 yards.

Steelers win Super Bowl 27-23

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