No two figures have garnered as much attention the past two weeks as quarterbacks Ben Roethlisberger and Kurt Warner. Both players are viewed as the catalysts to their team's success, and how they perform this evening will likely determine the winner of Super Bowl XLIII. Superbowl Predictions: Ben Roethlisberger vs Kurt Warner at online bookmaker SBGglobal.com are favoring Kurt Warner to throw an interception at -250 on the moneyline.
Cardinals field general Kurt Warner put his career back on the Hall of Fame track this season after playing slightly better than pedestrian football the past few years. The 37 year old passer threw for 4583 yards and 30 touchdowns while connecting on a career high 401 completions. Warner's resurrection, renaissance, resuscitation — whatever you want to call it — was, no doubt, pivotal in Arizona's rise from the football ashes.
Despite a few rough patches late in the season, Warner has been nails in the playoffs. In fact, he has outpaced most of the post-season quarterbacks by a wide margin. His 112.1 passer rating, 66.3 completion percentage, eight touchdowns, and 10 throws of 20 plus yards are all tops among this year's playoff passers.
The native Iowan turned in an outstanding effort in the Cardinals NFC Championship win over the Eagles two weeks ago, completing 21 of 28 passes for 279 yards and four touchdowns (145.7 passer rating). If Warner can duplicate that effort against Pittsburgh, he will almost assuredly take home his second Super Bowl MVP trophy.
Ben Roethlisberger , while not posting the gaudy stats that Warner has, has been just as instrumental in his team's success. Without his leadership and penchant for big plays, the Steelers offense would have closely resembled that of AFC North rivals Cleveland and Cincinnati. Roethlisberger finished the regular season with 3301 yards, 17 touchdowns, and an 80.1 passer rating.
His playoff numbers, while not eye popping, have been more than adequate. Big Ben has thrown for two touchdowns and 436 yards in the Steelers two post-season victories and he has improved his quarterback rating to a respectable 90.8. Of greater significance, however, has been his impeccable ball security (no playoff fumbles or interceptions), despite being under a great deal of pressure. The 26 year old has been sacked five times in this year's playoffs.
Roethlisberger has admitted to still being bothered by his showing in the Steelers Super Bowl XL victory over Seattle. The former Miami, OH Red Hawk completed just nine of 21 passes in that game for 123 yards, and he also tossed two interceptions. The lackluster performance produced the Super Bowl's worst ever passer rating of 22.6.
Both quarterbacks own Super Bowl rings, but, as noted, Roethlisberger has not performed nearly as well as Warner on the big stage. Warner threw for 779 yards and three touchdowns while producing an 89 passer rating in his two previous championship outings.
SBGglobal.com's Superbowl Predictions: Ben Roethlisberger vs Kurt Warner
Total Passing Yards Made:
Kurt Warner Over 255.5 (-135), Under 255.5 (+105)
Ben Roethlisberger Over 230.5 (-140), Under 230.5 (+110)
Total Completions Made:
Kurt Warner Over 23.5 (-120), Under 23.5 (-110)
Ben Roethlisberger Over 17.5 (-165), Under 17.5 (+135)
Will Kurt Warner Throw an Interception in the Game:
Yes (-250)
No (+190)
Will Ben Roethlisberger Throw an Interception in the Game:
Yes (-140)
No (+110)
Superbowl Predictions: Ben Roethlisberger vs Kurt Warner Odds to be Super Bowl XLIII MVP
Ben Roethlisberger (+175)
Kurt Warner (+200)
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