Holmes' Heroics give Steelers Sixth Super Bowl Ring

In heroic fashion, Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers earned their sixth Super Bowl ring over the Arizona Cardinals, 27-23. With 35 seconds left, Roethlisberger threw a short bullet to Santonio Holmes by the edge of the end zone for a game-winning touchdown. Holmes' two feet barely stepped in bounds, but still tapped them down and maintained possession for the touchdown.

That was Big Ben's only passing touchdown of the game, and one of the biggest in his 5-year career thus far. Holmes won the Super Bowl MVP award with his 131-yard performance and his game-winning touchdown reception.

Towards the end of the first half, the Cardinals were deep inside Steeler territory, trying to take a 14-10 lead (or tie the game at 10). But Cardinal quarterback Kurt Warner threw a pass to Anquan Boldin that was intercepted by linebacker James Harrison, the NFL Defensive player of the year. Harrison ran the length of the field to not only stop the Cardinals from scoring, but also increase the Steeler lead to 10.

Harrison's pick-six was the longest play in Super Bowl history (100 yards). Desmond Howard's 99-yard kickoff-return in Super Bowl XXXI was the previous record that stood for 12 years.

The Cardinals fought hard, but penalties were very costly; 11 penalties for 106 yards were called. Offensive lineman Mike Gandy was called for three holding penalties when matched up against James Harrison.

Kurt Warner's game was incredible, especially facing a premier Pittsburgh defense. Warner threw for 377 yards, 3 touchdowns, and the 1 interception to James Harrison. This was the first time all year the Steelers allowed over 300 passing yards in a game.

Before Holmes' winning touchdown, the biggest play on the Cardinals' side came with 2:37 left in the 4th quarter. Warner threw a pass to Larry Fitzgerald down the middle of the field and escaped two defensive backs to score a 64-yard touchdown. Fitzgerald was shut down in the first half with only 1 reception for 12 yards, but ended up with 7 catches for 127 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Fellow wide receiver Anquan Boldin said he was fully healthy entering the game and caught 8 passes for 84 yards, but no TDs. Tight end Ben Patrick caught the Cardinals' first touchdown of the game, a 1-yard lob from Warner in the 2nd quarter.

Both teams' running backs did not have a big impact as only 91 rushing yards were recorded by both teams combined. Pittsburgh's Willie Parker ran for 53 yards while Arizona's Edgerrin James ran for 33 yards. Tim Hightower, James' teammate, only had 1 carry that was stopped for no gain.

Cardinals' Darnell Dockett and Steelers' LaMarr Woodley both sacked the opposing QB twice. All other defensive players did not record any sacks.

There have only been 3 head coaches in Pittsburgh Steeler history: Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher, and Mike Tomlin. Noll won 4 titles (IX, X, XIII, and XIV) and Cowher won 1 (XL). Now, each of them has won at least one Super Bowl with the Steelers.