Last night’s Super Bowl lived up to the hype and expectations that it received while providing for the second year in a row on of the best games of the year in the NFL’s biggest game. Everyone remembers Eli Manning and the Giants upsetting the undefeated New England Patriots last year in a close grudge match. However, this year epic battle was also among the ranks of one of the best Super Bowl’s in recent history. The NFL could not be happier with how their Championship game has been played over the last two seasons. Perhaps the NCAA would get these types of caliber championship games if they would ever finally go to a playoff system, but that is another subject for another time. Last night Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald played the underdog role that made a valiant effort at a 13 point comeback only to see Pittsburgh make another game winning drive in the final seconds of the game something they did quite a bit this season. Santonio Holmes may have got the MVP Award last night, but big Ben Roethlisberger had one of the best nights he has had all season and the Steelers offense was the group to breakthrough and get the job done rather than the defense. There was a lot we learned last night as we take a look back on the NFL’s biggest night.

The first thing we learned is that the Pittsburgh offense is not too shabby. The Steelers had some bright moments on the ground and even more success through the air. Santonio Holmes come up with two big grabs late in the game, including the game winning touchdown with less than a minute to go in the game pulled down in the back of the end zone while somehow keeping two feet inbounds. The touchdown reception was definitely the biggest play of the game and a true testimony of skills. For Roethlisberger, it was just another game winning drive that the Steelers accomplished so often in the latter part of the year against teams like Dallas and Baltimore. However, this game winner will be remembered forever. The Steelers defense got them to the Super Bowl, but it was the offense that really made the difference last night for Pittsburgh.

The Hall of Fame answer may not have been decided last night, but I guarantee you that Kurt Warner lead two Hall of Fame type drives at the end of the game to give Arizona the lead with under 3 minutes to go. Sure Larry Fitzgerald made big plays, but Warner delivered the ball in tight spots time and time again. Some believed that Warner needed to win that game last night to really seal his faith into the Hall. However, the veteran put on another brilliant display in the NFL’s Championship Game. Warner went 31 for 43 (72%), 377 yards, and 3 touchdowns. The 377 yards will rank 2nd all-time behind his 414 yard performance in the 2000 Super Bowl meaning Warner now has the 3 highest passing performances in Super Bowl history in only 3 Super Bowl appearances. That should definitely aid in his cause, yet some will still question his longevity in the league. One thing that people should not forget though is that this guy still is not done. He will be back this year throwing to the same talented group of receivers given they can keep Anquan Boldin in town. Warner best chance at winning a Super Bowl most likely was last night, but as we have learned you can not count him out ever. Arizona will return a strong offense next year, and if their defense can play the way they did throughout the post season this team’s future is bright.

Larry Fitzgerald is amazing if you did not catch on to this fact throughout the playoffs you must not have been watching. Fitzgerald posted yet another 100+ yard performance last night shattering the postseason record while amassing 546 yards in the playoffs with 7 touchdowns. Without Fitzgerald, there is no telling how ineffective the Arizona offense could be. This special wide receiver is a playmaker that can change games in the blink of an eye. Fitzgerald pulled down a beautiful touchdown early in the 4th to close the lead to 6, then caught a pass over the middle and left 3 Steelers like they were standing still for 64 yards to put the Cardinals on top in the closing minutes. If you are new to the name Larry Fitzgerald, he has been making amazing plays since his days at Pittsburgh just go look at some of his youtube highlights. Arizona has a golden treasure in this young talent and it will be very fun to watch him over the next few years especially if Anquan Boldin stays with the team despite some early reports saying he will not.

The last thing we did not learn last night may have been the most important. The final play on offense for Arizona concluded with force fumble that ended up in the Steelers hands or at least that is what was called. Looking at the replay it clearly looked like the football was in Warner’s hands as it was going forward. Now he may not have had control of the ball, but the ball was definitely in contact with his hand as his arm motioned forward. However, there was never an official review in the biggest moment of the game. Sure Warner would have had to throw a hail mary on the next play and pray for a miracle, but still the NFL should have never let Pittsburgh kneel on the ball before taking an extra look. Just a bizarre situation considering how well and how often the replays of have been used in the National Football League over the last few seasons. While it most likely would not have changed the outcome on the game, they took all possibility out when they did not review the play. Instead, the Pittsburgh Steelers are now the first team to win 6 Super Bowl’s in NFL history and that will do nothing but add fire to the beloved Steeler nation.

Let me know what you think readers. Should the play have been reviewed? Fumble or incomplete pass?