By Bryan Mongeau-Eastmond

TAMPA, Florida (RushPRNews) 02/02/09– I could have sworn that I saw this ending somewhere before. Trailing late in the game with a few ticks remaining on the clock, an outstanding offensive play seals the deal and a deserving team is crowned Super Bowl champs.

Yes, it happened again. Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and wide receiver Santonio Holmes connected for the game-winning touchdown, giving the Steelers a sixth Super Bowl title in dramatic fashion 27-23 over the Arizona Cardinals at Raymond James Stadium.

“Great players step up in big-time games to make plays,” said Holmes, the game’s MVP. He told Roethlisberger that he “wanted to be the guy to make the plays for this team.”

This is the second straight Super Bowl that ends in a similar way. A short trip down memory lane tells you that the New York Giants did it just the year before defeating New England.

No question that Super Bowls XLIII generated major hype and rightfully so. On one side the Pittsburgh Steelers were looking to become the most decorated franchise in Super Bowl history, while the Arizona Cardinals were hoping to pull off another upset and host the Vince Lombardy Trophy for the first time ever.

Pittsburgh got off to a fast start scoring a field goal and a touchdown to jump to an early 10-0 lead. Arizona responded with a one yard TD to Ben Patrick.

Then James Harrison lived up to his title as the NFL’s defensive player of the year. Harrison returned an interception 100 yards as time expires in the first half for the longest touchdown in Super Bowl history.

“I didn’t see him around my offensive line,” Warner said. “He made a great play and a great run to get them a touchdown.”

With everything going in their favor during the first half, the Steelers seemed in complete control leading 17-7.

But this game was far from over as Larry Fitzgerald continued his post-season brillance. Warner connected with his Pro Bowl receiver for two scores, including a 64-yard touchdown to put the Cardinals up in front. Fitzgerald ran right down the middle of the field and even had time to catch a glimpse of himself on the jumbotron.

But Arizona relinquished the lead following an exceptional drive by the Steelers. Big Ben, perhaps the best in the league at avoiding defenders and extending plays with his legs, kept finding receivers and the Cardinals had no defensive answer.

“I’m disappointed for our team,” said Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt. “They played very hard in circumstances where nobody believed in them.”

Photo of Santonio Holmes, courtesy of the National Football League.