It was a perfect night in Tampa, Florida for Super Bowl XLIII. With kickoff temperatures in the 60’s, Raymond James Stadium featured only light wind and zero precipitation. The Arizona Cardinals would play the Pittsburgh Steelers for a chance to lift the Lombardi Trophy for the first time in franchise history.
The Cardinals had captured lightning in a bottle that season. The rebirth of Kurt Warner helped head coach Ken Whisenhunt find the right combination to launch Arizona. Under Whisenhunt, the Cardinals put together a 9-7 record and won the NFC West. It also helped them earn a home playoff game for the first time since 1947. In order, they would beat the Atlanta Falcons at home, the Carolina Panthers on the road, and the Philadelphia Eagles in Phoenix. Up next would be the Pittsburgh Steelers with an opportunity to add to their championship collection.
The Steelers were 12-4 that season and under the coaching of Mike Tomlin. With an All-Star cast featuring quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, Santonio Holmes, Troy Polamalu, and Hines Ward, Tomlin and company were off and running early.
The Arizona Cardinals Historic Run to Super Bowl XLIII
Not so for the Cardinals. Arizona could get nothing going offensively, despite having a would-be Hall of Fame quarterback at the controls. Finally, in the fourth quarter, Arizona would break out and make a game of it after Larry Fitzgerald hit paydirt on a 64-yard strike. Fitzgerald put the Cardinals on top and capped a 16-point rally to make a game of what looked to be a sleeper. With 2:37 seconds left on the game clock in Tampa, Arizona looked to be in position to capture their first Lombardi Trophy. Unfortunately, their opponents, the Steelers, have experience winning big games and Super Bowls. For Cardinals fans, 2:37 looked like a lifetime until the final gun.
Although it didn't end up the game-winner, this Kurt Warner-to-Larry Fitzgerald go-ahead 64-yard #Cardinals touchdown connection with two-and-a-half to play in Super Bowl XLIII had the world gasping.
What a postseason for Fitz! Guy played out of his mind.
Today in 2009 pic.twitter.com/w7RE7SLDIs
— Kevin Gallagher (@KevG163) February 1, 2023
Pittsburgh would roll over the Cardinals defense, racking up 78 yards to the endzone. Santonio Holmes would catch a gimme 6-yard game-winner to take the lead 27-23, with only 35 seconds left on the clock. Arizona, who had some offensive firepower of its own, needed more time to score a needed touchdown but could not. The Cardinals would go home without a Super Bowl, and would never get close again.
Arizona had serious talent on that team and found itself in the championship game. Aside from Warner and Fitzgerald, the offense had wide receiver Anquan Boldin and running back Edgerrin James.
On defense, the Cardinals went to battle with Darnell Dockett at DT, CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, and Antrel Rolle at free safety.
It is hard to look at the Arizona Cardinals 15 years later and see what the NFL witnessed in Tampa. The Cardinals had name talent at a lot of skill positions and a proven coach with a pedigree. Arizona captured lightning in a bottle but has not been a serious contender since. The team’s current makeup just doesn’t have that kind of talent. Maybe, sometime down the road they will, but until then, it’s only talent “on paper.” On Sundays, it simply has not materialized.
Main Photo: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
