Can Steelers contain Cards’ Fitzgerald?

Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald is the best player in football right now. Is there even an argument for anyone else?

And no doubt there are at least a few residents of Pittsburgh rooting for the former Pitt star in Super Bowl XLIII. All Fitzgerald has done is rack up 419 yards receiving this postseason, which is a record. He had nine catches for 152 yards and three touchdowns in the NFC championship game against the Eagles. He has eight TD catches in his last five games and 11 in his last eight, plus five consecutive 100-yard games.

Stud.

So while Anquan Boldin drew the early headlines for his childish behavior, there is a reason the Cards gave Fitzgerald a lucrative new contract before the season and not Boldin.

“He’s breaking some of Jerry Rice’s records,” Pittsburgh cornerback Ike Taylor said (he will draw the primary assignment on Fitzgerald). ”From what he’s displaying week in and week out, yeah, he’s one of the best in the world.”

“He’s come through, and he’s made plays,” Cardinals offensive coordinator Todd Haley said. “I just think great players are judged by how they play in big games, and these have been the three biggest games of his career to this point, and in each one, I think he’s played better.”

Yes, the Pittsburgh Steelers have the No. 1 pass defense in the NFL, and they allowed a whopping 22 fewer yards through the air than any other team in the regular season. Yes, the Steelers permitted only three teams to throw for 200 yards, none reached 300 and two were held below 100 yards. Yes, the Steelers have allowed only two 100-yard receivers since Week 4.

But how can you not bet on Fitzgerald as the Super Bowl MVP on WagerWeb.com?

Remember that he had 11 catches for 123 yards in the Cardinals’ 21-14 victory over Pittsburgh during the 2007 regular season.

“He’s probably the best I’ve ever seen with ball skills and extension at the ball,” said Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau. “You know how they say basketball players play taller than they are? This guy is like 7-feet tall at the ball.”

Fitzgerald is currently +435 on WagerWeb.com to be named Super Bowl MVP. That is the lowest price outside of the two starting quarterbacks.

NFL Betting at WagerWeb.com