11 Picks for the Super Bowl, Steelers vs Cardinals

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11 Picks for the Super Bowl, Steelers vs Cardinals
Posted Saturday, January 31, 2009 at 12:01:00 PM

This is it. The end of my season-long experiment of using 11 different people and methods to predict one crucial NFL game every week. I'm not sure exactly what we learned from this, but my analysis in all its small sample size glory will come when I do the final tallies after the Super Bowl.

For now, and for the last time this season, we're making our picks. The line on this game is Pittsburgh -7, but we're all just going to pick the game straight up.

Accuscore favors Pittsburgh.
Accuscore. (8-12 on the season) Accuscore, which bases its prediction off of tens of thousands of statistical-based computer simulations, likes the Steelers here, 68 percent to 31 percent. As always, one percent is missing (which makes zero sense here, as it's impossible for the Super Bowl to end in a tie).
Former NFL star Eric Allen. (7-13) Every week I wail on Eric Allen for picking whatever team is favored. Every week I say that next season, I'm going to find a better ex-NFL player to pick games. Did Allen prove me wrong this week and go against the grain?

Nope. He's obviously going with the Steelers.
Random number generator. (5-15) I use Random.org's coin flipper, heads is home team, tails is away. In odd numbered years, the NFC team is designated the home team for the Super Bowl so, for this method, heads is Arizona, tails is Pittsburgh. The coin came up heads, meaning this method goes to the Cardinals.
Homeless guy outside my office. (8-12) He wasn't sure, but I pressed the issue and he's going with the Steelers. I was just happy that he managed to be so reliable that I never had a problem tracking him down to get his pick in any of these 21 weeks.
A steel worker beats out a cardinal any day.
Battle of the mascots. (12-8) Cardinals and steel workers are not natural enemies. And while a cardinal could peck a steel worker's eyes out, in the end, I think a human wielding a blowtorch, sledgehammer or anvil takes out a sweet little bird every day of the week. This goes to the Steelers.
Adam, the early '90s fan. (11-9) "Why do you keep asking me about the Phoenix Cardinals? I'm never going to pick them. They're terrible. The Steelers have Neil O'Donnell, Barry Foster, that defense. Versus who? The only person I can name is Aeneas Williams and he's way overrated. Steelers in a blowout."
Fatter offensive line. (11-9) Pittsburgh's offensive line is large, at 1,621 total pounds. Arizona's line is a bit smaller, at 1,578 total pounds. So this one also goes to the Steelers.
A model who may or may not know football. (12-8) Karmen, who's tied for first place, sent me a very poetic "Hmm Arizona" this week. So her final pick is the Cardinals. If she's right, she wins outright, because the other two contenders for the top spot both went with Pittsburgh.
Just picking the home team. (9-11) The home team pick is a weaker method for the Super Bowl... because, ya know, it's at a neutral site... but technically it's the Cardinals, so we're going to go with them.
"Sports Illustrated" legend Peter King. (12-8) Peter King hasn't been great during the playoffs. He's going with the Steelers, 24 to 21. He also sees the MVP being Willie Parker. (???)
My pick. (9-11) Two weeks ago, for Eagles-Cardinals, every single method except just picking the home team and my pick went Eagles. And the Cardinals pulled it out. They've been doubted every single round and every single time they've won. I know they're an underdog but this is the NFL. And stranger things have happened. Almost weekly this season. So screw it. I'm dancing with the one who brought me and picking the Cardinals.