It was one of the most exciting Super Bowls ever. The Arizona Cardinals come from 13 points down to take a fourth quarter lead.
The Steelers answer with a game winning touchdown drive. Wide receiver Santonio Holmes and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger hook up on the game winning six yard reception with :35 remaining.
The game was great. The teams were not.
Think about it. Arizona was a 9-7 team that stumbled home in December. A team that lost 47-7 in December on the road at New England was within a whisker of winning a Super Bowl title.
The Steelers are good, but not great. Their offensive line is average, their running game subpar.
As I watched Super Bowl XLIII , I thought this: neither one of these teams could hold a candle to the great clubs of the 80's.
The '85 Bears pummeled the Patriots. The Redskins won a pair of titles in the 80's. The 49ers won 4 in the 80's.
Even the Saints teams of the late 80's, real good but not good enough, would be good enough to compete for a title in the era of free agency.
Last night's game was compelling stuff. Great game, the teams? Good , but not great.