The Super Bowl is one of the biggest cultural events in the United States. Even if your team didn’t make it (or, if you’re a Lions fan, didn’t win a game) most football fans would be committing heresy if they didn’t tune in with some buddies, some booze and enjoy the festivities.

To get ready for the Super Bowl, we thought it’d be interesting to see what a simulation of Madden NFL 09 would bring. The results? Read on!

First Quarter:

Arizona kicked off the ball, and Pittsburgh wasted little time coughing it up. On their third play of the drive, Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger threw into double coverage and was picked off by CB Andre Rolle. The Cardinals capitalized on the mistake, taking their good field position and driving down to the Pittsburgh 27 before the Steelers finally stopped their advance. Cardinals kicker Neil Rackers kicked a 41 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Cardinals.

The Steelers responded well, driving down the field and getting into the Cardinals red zone before the clock ran out on the first quarter.

Second Quarter:

Roethlisberger had lead the Steelers to the Arizona 10 yard line through a string of 10-20 yard passes, but his second quarter start was disastrous. His first play of the quarter was an interception to Cardinals CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, blowing a prime scoring opportunity for the Steelers.

The Cardinals slowly, but surely plodded down the field from their own 5 yard line, picking up first downs and eating up a monstrous amount of clock. Eventually, with a very small amount of time left in the 2nd quarter, the Steelers finally held the Cardinals back, forcing them to punt. The Steelers, however, did not do much on the final possession of the half, going into half-time down 3-0.

Third Quarter:

The third quarter started for the Cardinals much like the first quarter did for the Steelers. Cardinals QB Kurt Warner threw into tight coverage and was picked off by Steelers LB Troy Polamalu, giving the Steelers fantastic field position early in the third quarter.

The Steelers made modest progress into the Cardinals zone, setting up a 35 yard field goal attempt for Steelers kicker Jeff Reed. Unfortunately for the Steelers, Reed rang the kick off the post, leaving the game at 3-0 Cardinals.

The rest of the third quarter was uneventful, as both the Steelers and Cardinals defenses smothered the opposing offenses, forcing a string of three and outs for both sides. The 3rd quarter ended with the Cardinals up still by 3.

Fourth Quarter:

For much of the fourth quarter, the defenses continued to completely dominate the game. First downs were a rarity, and that all worked in favor of the Cardinals, who held the 3-0 lead. Then, with 2:53 left, the Cardinals started to get a drive going. After connecting with pass after pass and driving down to the red zone, Tim Hightower finally broke the game open with a 10 yard touchdown run. Neil Rackers connected on the PAT attempt, giving the Cardinals a 10-0 lead with 1:25 left.

It looked bleak for the Steelers, but they put up one final push. With 16 seconds left, Roethlisberger connected with Santonio Holmes for a 50 yard strike. Jeff Reed connected on the PAT to make it 10-7.

The Steelers attempted an on-side kick, but the Cardinals recovered it and the game ended with the Cardinals winning Super Bowl XLIII 10-7.

Final Score: Cardinals 10, Steelers 7