Andy: I have to admit that I was not very excited about this game before it started and for three quarters I thought my indifference towards it was justified, but the fourth quarter proved me wrong. Both the Cardinals and the Steelers made great plays at the end of the game to move past the other team and set themselves up for a win. It was the second year in a row that the Super Bowl provided us with an exciting finish.

However, unlike last year, the first three quarters weren’t crisp defensive efforts. Both teams benefited off of turnovers and a seemingly endless stream of penalties. It was an underwhelming first 45 minutes, with the exception of James Harrison’s interception return for a touchdown. The only other highlight was Arizona’s goal-line defense, which would give them the chance to take the lead by holding the Steelers to two short field goals.

Within minutes after the game, ESPN had a poll asking which game was more entertaining: Super Bowl XLII Giants versus Patriots game or this year’s game. The majority of voters went for this year’s game, clearly voting off the emotion of the fourth quarter, but with time I think the first three quarters will settle this game into mediocrity.

Billy: Heading into the game, I expected this year’s matchup to be just as Super Bowl-worthy as many other ones. It’s easy to base one’s interest in a game based on the history of the franchises or the potential for a team to make history. But for one who appreciates the challenge of finding a winning formula of players, coaches and Xs and Os, both the Cardinals and Steelers deserved to compete last Sunday.

That said, I did find the first three quarters disappointing. The many penalties disrupted the flow (if there was any) of the first three quarters. Arizona’s offense did not pick up where it left off against Philadelphia and Carolina in the playoffs, and Pittsburgh’s rushing game behind Willie Parker gained only 53 yards the whole game. The first three quarters were not short on individual highlights, though. Arizona cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie made two athletic plays to break up passes, and Harrison’s interception return was one of the most exciting in any game.

However entertaining one finds a Super Bowl, it’s important to remember that the two teams are not making a movie or piece of art. They are competing, and a measure of how hard they competed may not parallel a measure of excitement for those of us watching on the couch.

Andy: I understand that at it’s core the Super Bowl is just a game, Billy, but the reality is that the commercials, the week long carnival and the two weeks of hype before the game mute anything that the players do on the field, unless it’s a high-quality game. A similar game to this one in terms of a disappointing three quarters with an exciting finish would be Super Bowl XXXVIII between the Panthers and the Patriots. Adam Vinatieri won that game on a last second field goal for the Patriots, but what do we remember from the game? Janet Jackson’s “wardrobe malfunction.”

However, the hype also overshadows every other sporting event during the two weeks prior to the actual game. On any other weekend, Nadal defeating Federer for the first time on hard court in a major final would have been the top story. Also, think of all the NBA coverage we missed because ESPN thought it more important that we know the length of Larry Fitzgerald’s dreads. I was sick of the Super Bowl before the conference championships had even been played.

Billy: Yes, ironically, players who often receive too much attention for playing football don’t receive enough attention in the biggest game of the year. But just as players manage to stay focused on the game, fans can too by remembering that the game remains the same, regardless of the surrounding environment in the stadium or in the media.