The Pittsburgh Steelers found themselves in one of the most thrilling Super Bowl matchups in history in Super Bowl XLIII. The Steelers clinched the victory in dramatic fashion with a last-minute touchdown pass from the legendary Ben Roethlisberger, who connected with Santonio Holmes for the game-winning score. Roethlisberger's pinpoint throw and Holmes' incredible toe-tap catch are forever etched in NFL history.
The game was full of twists and turns. Just before halftime, the Arizona Cardinals were on the verge of scoring when Kurt Warner's pass was intercepted by James Harrison, who somehow returned it 100 yards for a touchdown as the half expired. This incredible play gave the Steelers a 17-7 lead going into the half.
In the second half, momentum shifted when Cardinals' star wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald caught fire. He scored two touchdowns, including a 64-yard breakaway with just under three minutes remaining in the game. Speaking with football pundit Dan Patrick on Tuesday, Fitzgerald reflected on that play. Patrick asked if he thought the Cardinals had won after that electrifying score.
"Absolutely, I think momentum really shifted in our favor and that touchdown really put us in a really positive position, so I thought it would be enough."
At that moment, it truly felt like the Steelers had lost the Super Bowl. The Cardinals had surged, scoring 16 points in the fourth quarter, and the momentum seemed entirely in their favor.
But then, in classic fashion, Roethlisberger delivered a signature play that cemented his place in NFL history. Fitzgerald later credited the Steelers for their resilience, fighting back to secure the game-winning score and a 27-23 victory.
"There’s a reason Ben Roethlisberger is a first-ballot Hall of Famer and Mike Tomlin is gonna be a Hall of Famer. He had one of the better offensive coordinators in Bruce Arians and they made a great play to finish the game."
The age-old saying goes that football is a game of inches, and in this instance, it couldn't be more accurate.
Many Cardinals fans will forever wonder what might have happened if Harrison hadn't stepped in to make that remarkable interception—or even if he had simply been tackled during the return.
Steelers' James Harrison Changed The Game For Pittsburgh
Had Harrison been brought down, the half would have ended without the Steelers adding those crucial seven points. Instead, it became a significant 14-point swing for Pittsburgh, as they not only scored seven off the interception but also prevented the Cardinals from scoring a touchdown. That single play fundamentally changed the game for the Steelers.
After Fitzgerald scored to take the lead, the Steelers executed a two-minute drive that showcased eight plays and covered 78 yards. This drive culminated in the incredible catch by Holmes, allowing the Steelers to secure their victory in Super Bowl XLIII. Many wonder if the Steelers would have even had the opportunity to win the game on that final drive had Harrison not scored on his 100-yard pick-six.
Looking back at games like this, it’s easy to speculate about what might have happened under different circumstances. However, the game unfolded as it did because of the playmakers and talent on the Steelers' roster. While luck played a role, what Harrison accomplished was a testament to skill, and his relentless pursuit of a touchdown just before halftime undeniably changed the game.
Fitzgerald was convinced that when he scored late in the game, the Cardinals had clinched the Super Bowl victory. However, Roethlisberger had other plans. This game will forever be etched in Steelers history as a legendary moment, while for the Cardinals, it will always be a tale of what-ifs.
