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Super Bowl XLIII a classic clash of offense vs. defense
NFL.com
Does defense win championships?
The question will be put to the test Sunday, in what is shaping up to be a classic Super Bowl matchup of high-scoring offense vs. an ultra-stingy defense.
Top-ranked defenses in the Super Bowl since 1970
Team
Yards per game
Super Bowl result
2008 Steelers
237.2

2002 Buccaneers
252.8
Won
1996 Packers
259.8
Won
1992 Cowboys
245.7
Won
1985 Bears
258.4
Won
1982 Dolphins
256.9
Lost
1977 Cowboys
229.5
Won
1974 Steelers
219.6
Won
1972 Dolphins
235.5
Won
Pittsburgh's top-ranked defense, having held both of its playoff opponents to an average of 244 total yards, squares off against the high-powered Cardinals offense that has recorded 357, 360, and 369 yards in three playoff games.
Something has to give Sunday and the Steelers don't expect it to be their defense.
"What more can you ask for," Steelers cornerback Williams Gay said. "We will be on the biggest stage in the world, the Super Bowl, playing against the best offense I've seen thus far. As a defense, that's what you want."
The Steelers are the ninth team since 1970 to finish first in total defense and reach the Super Bowl. Seven of the previous eight teams have gone on to win the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
The numbers get even more ominous for the Cardinals and their fourth-ranked offense.
Among all Super Bowl participants, the team that scored more points in the regular season (Arizona scored 427, Pittsburgh 347) is 23-17 in the Super Bowl (two Super Bowls featured teams that scored the same number of points in the regular season).
Thirteen teams have finished first in total offense in the regular season and reached the Super Bowl. Only seven of them won. Two of those seven also possessed the league's best defense.