E.K. NATION

We're still a few days away from the Super Bowl, but I don't need to wait any longer to get my pick in.

Much has been said about the matchup between Arizona's offense and Pittsburgh's defense. Forget about that, though. What is glaring is that the Cardinals' defense allowed more points during the regular season than anybody except the Lions, Rams, Chiefs and Broncos, the first three of which combined for 4 wins and 44 losses this year. Even with Pittsburgh's close-to-average point-scoring offense, that's a sure sign of trouble for the Cardinals.

There's been some discord in Arizona, namely with Anquan Boldin's hissy fit. The Cards don't need that kind of distraction. Meanwhile, the Steelers pretty much seem to have their act together. Another advantage for Pittsburgh. Also, the Steelers just won a Super Bowl three years ago with the same QB and most of the same major players. If experience in the big game counts for anything, that's another boost for the Steelers. And compare the two franchises: For what it's worth, the Steelers have been one of the few franchises that can make a claim to the title of the Class of the NFL. And the Cardinals have, well, sucked, pretty much their entire existence. If that means anything, it's the Steelers in a rout.

Only one other team has gone 9-7 during the regular season and advanced to the Super Bowl -- the 1979 Los Angeles Rams, who wound up losing to...the Steelers. If coincidences mean anything, there's another step up for Pitt.

And here's one stat that I did some research on. Out of all the instances where one team was making its first Super Bowl appearance while the other franchise had been there previously (didn't matter when, just at any time in the past), the team making its debut has won just four of 18 Super Bowls (in case you are wondering, it's the 2002 Buccaneers, the 2000 Ravens, the 1986 Giants, and the 1974 Steelers who won those debuts). Four and 14. That's a 28.6% winning percentage. Not too strong.

I've been right on four of the last five Super Bowls, and I'm feeling good about making it five out of six this year. It just all points to Pittsburgh wrapping it up early. They're favored by seven at the moment; I say be happy it's only that many and lay the points, easy. Yes, take Pittsburgh and by halftime you'll feel pretty good about it. The final score will be Pittsburgh 42, Arizona 18.