TAMPA, Fla. - Their Steel Curtain shredded,
Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh offense ended a Super Bowl of
incredible swings with a final-minute touchdown for a historic victory.
Santonio Holmes
made a brilliant 6-yard catch deep in the right corner of the end zone
with 35 seconds remaining Sunday, lifting the Steelers to a
record-setting sixth Super Bowl win, 27-23 over the Arizona Cardinals.
It
was one of the most thrilling finishes to the NFL title game, certainly
equaling last year’s upset by the New York Giants that ended with
Plaxico Burress’ TD catch — with 35 seconds left, too.
But this one was even wilder.
The
Steelers (15-4), winning their second Super Bowl in four seasons, led
20-7 in the fourth quarter, only to see Kurt Warner and the Cardinals
stage a remarkable rally to go in front 23-20 with 2:37 remaining.
Warner
hit All-Pro receiver Larry Fitzgerald in stride for a 64-yard touchdown
with 2:37 left. Already owning a slew of postseason receiving marks
this year, Fitzgerald sped down the middle of the field, watching
himself outrun the Steelers on the huge video screen.
Fitzgerald
could only watch from the sideline as Roethlisberger engineered a
78-yard drive to win it in what resembled Heinz Field South. With waves
of twirling Terrible Towels turning Raymond James Stadium into a
black-and-gold tableau — Steelers fans supporting their beloved team,
the economy be damned — Pittsburgh’s offense rescued the title.
Holmes was selected the game’s MVP.