Defensive line
Arizona's LDE Antonio Smith, LDT Bryan Robinson, RDT Darnell Dockett, RDE Bertrand Berry vs. Pittsburgh's LDE Aaron Smith, NT Casey Hampton, RDE Brett Keisel
Patriots fans should be able to appreciate the Steelers' line, because it's much like the one in Foxboro. Pittsburgh's front three does all of the dirty work in the trenches, tying up blockers so the linebackers and safeties can flow to the ball. Hampton makes it all work as an immovable force at the point of attack, while Smith and Keisel are unheralded. On the other side, the Cardinals' front four helped force 30 turnovers during the season, including 17 fumble recoveries, which Patriots head coach Bill Belichick preached in the week leading up to that game. Still, if one group is more likely to control the game, it's definitely Pittsburgh's. Advantage: Steelers

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Linebackers
Arizona's WLB Karlos Dansby, MLB Gerald Hayes, SLB Chike Okeafor vs. Pittsburgh's LOLB Lamarr Woodley, LILB James Farrior, RILB Larry Foote, ROLB James Harrison
Harrison is the Defensive Player of the Year. Woodley has piled up four sacks in the postseason. Farrior and Foote dominate against the run. There's really nothing the Steelers can't do, and the Cards' group is pretty anonymous by comparison. Outside linebackers are often the stars of the 3-4, since they're often asked to rush the passer. That's definitely the case in Pittsburgh, with Harrison and Woodley combining for 27.5 sacks and terrorizing opposing quarterbacks. The Cardinals, meanwhile, are hoping to continue a turnaround mildly reminiscent of the Colts in 2006. Indy's defense got hot in the playoffs that year and led the team to its only title. The Cardinals have improved since a mediocre regular season, with Dansby the most versatile of the group, Okeafor the best pass rusher, and Hayes improving. Still, this one's not even close. Advantage: Steelers

Secondary
Arizona's LCB Roderick Hood, RCB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, SS Adrian Wilson, FS Antrel Rolle vs. Pittsburgh's LCB Ike Taylor, SS Troy Polamalu, FS Ryan Clark, RCB Bryant McFadden

Another area where the Steelers own a clear advantage. Polamalu might be the best player on the field for either team, a hard-hitting center fielder who can blitz, cover and stop the run thanks to Rodney Harrison [stats]-esque instincts and off-the-charts athleticism. Clark is a hard hitter as well, while the corners are solid, albeit unspectacular, their job made that much easier by the dominant front seven and Polamalu. On the other side, Arizona's corner duo tied the Pats' Ellis Hobbs [stats] and Deltha O'Neal for most touchdown receptions allowed, according to Stats Inc. The lone difference maker on Arizona's entire defense is Wilson, a disruptive force who will be a factor in the running game. Polamalu is the X-factor among this group. Advantage: Steelers

Special teams
Arizona's K Neil Rackers, P Ken Graham, KR J.J. Arrington, PR Steve Breaston vs. Pittsburgh's K Jeff Reed, P Mitch Berger, KR Gary Russell, PR Santonio Holmes
In 2006 and 2007, one of Pittsburgh's biggest weaknesses was an inability to defend kick returns, but the Steelers led the NFL in that category this year, allowing just 19.1 yards per return. They should have the slight advantage against Cardinals return men Arrington and Breaston. With the elements unlikely to be a factor, the kicking edge goes ever so slightly to Rackers, who is nearly automatic from within 50 yards. The Cardinals had some struggles at punter early in the year before Graham replaced starter Dirk Johnson and dropped one-third of his punts inside the 20. Marshfield native Sean Morey is a Pro Bowl cover guy for the Cards, while Holmes has been dangerous on postseason punt returns for the Steelers. Advantage: Even

Coaching
Arizona's Ken Whisenhunt vs. Pittsburgh's Mike Tomlin
What a delicious subplot. When Bill Cowher retired after the 2006 Super Bowl, Whisenhunt interviewed for the job that went to Tomlin. Whisenhunt then left for Arizona and has guided the Cardinals to the franchise's first Super Bowl in just his second season. There's a belief that Whisenhunt has an advantage because he knows the Steelers' personnel, particularly on offense. However, Tomlin has proven no slouch in his second year while becoming the youngest coach in history (36) to lead a team to the Super Bowl. Whisenhunt is considered an outstanding offensive mind, while Tomlin has already won a Super Bowl as a defensive assistant with the 2002 Buccaneers. This should be an outstanding matchup. Advantage: Even

Original Story: Boston Herald