Arizona Cardinals weigh in on Super Bowl XLVIII

Jan 31, 2014, 12:16 AM | Updated: 12:16 am

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — It’s official: Two-thirds of the Arizona Cardinals want — actually, they don’t want — they believe the Seattle Seahawks will win the Super Bowl.

In a non-scientific poll with no margin of error, two out of three Cardinals interviewed this week at the Waste Management Phoenix Open favor their NFC West division rival over the Denver Broncos in Sunday’s big game.

“Much as I hate to say it, I’m going to have to go with the defense. Defense wins championships and that’s a known fact. I’ve got to go with the Seahawks,” Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson said prior to teeing off in the Annexus Pro-Am.

Kicker Jay Feely also picked the Seahawks, sort of.

“I’m pulling for Denver and Peyton Manning. I’d love to see him win that, and I don’t want to see Seattle win but I think Seattle is going to win. I think their defense is too tough,” he said during the CBS Outdoor Special Olympics Open. “They’ve got a great secondary. They’ll be able to shut down those receivers. And the worse the weather is the more it helps Seattle. They’re comfortable in that. They want to run the ball.

“They want it ball control. If it’s bad weather, obviously Denver is not going to be as effective throwing the ball.”

The respect for Manning and what he has done, not only this season but throughout his entire career, is what swayed head coach Bruce Arians’ prediction on the game.

“I think it’s going to be a great game. I hope the weather doesn’t affect it too bad. I think Peyton will win it in the end,” he said.

Full disclosure: Arians was Manning’s first quarterbacks coach. During the three seasons they were together in Indianapolis, Manning completed 60.4 percent of his passes for 12,287 yards and 85 touchdowns.

So, Coach Arians, are you making that prediction with your head or your heart?

“Both,” he said.

Feely, meanwhile, headed to New York Thursday. He’s one of three finalists for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, which will be announced Saturday. The winner of the award will be recognized on the field prior to kickoff of the Super Bowl.

If that’s Feely, then, yes, he’ll be at the game, albeit a little begrudgingly he admitted.

“I never want to go see another person play in the game that you want to be in, especially watching Seattle,” he said with a smile.

Back to Peterson.

Does it hurt to say the Seattle Seahawks are going to win?

“It definitely does,” he said laughing.

Seattle Seahawks defensive end Chris Clemons warms up at the start of NFL football practice Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Seahawks and the Denver Broncos are scheduled to play in the Super Bowl XLVIII football game Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014. (AP Photo) The Denver Broncos practice at the New York Jets facility Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in Florham Park, N.J. The Broncos are scheduled to play the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game Sunday, Feb. 2, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo) Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman stretches as the start of NFL football practice Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Seahawks and the Denver Broncos are scheduled to play in the Super Bowl XLVIII football game Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014. (AP Photo) A traveler browses items at a special Super Bowl merchandise pop-up store at Newark Liberty International Airport, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in Newark, N.J. The Seattle Seahawks will play the Denver Broncos Sunday in the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo) Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson drinks during NFL football practice Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Seahawks and the Denver Broncos are scheduled to play in the Super Bowl XLVIII football game Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014. (AP Photo) Denver Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey runs a drill during practice Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in Florham Park, N.J. The Broncos are scheduled to play the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game Sunday, Feb. 2, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo) This aerial photo shows MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014. The Seattle Seahawks play the Denver Broncos on Sunday at the stadium in the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game.(AP Photo) Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll watches as members of his team warms up during NFL football practice Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Seahawks and the Denver Broncos are scheduled to play in the Super Bowl XLVIII football game Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014. (AP Photo) Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning passes during practice Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in Florham Park, N.J. The Broncos are scheduled to play the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game Sunday, Feb. 2, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo) 
Denver Broncos punter Britton Colquitt stretches during practice Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in Florham Park, N.J. The Broncos are scheduled to play the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game Sunday, Feb. 2, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo) Denver Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno runs a drill during practice Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in Florham Park, N.J. The Broncos are scheduled to play the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game Sunday, Feb. 2, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo) 
Denver Broncos head coach John Fox supervises a practice Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in Florham Park, N.J. The Broncos are scheduled to play the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game Sunday, Feb. 2, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo) Bruno Mars who will headline the half-time show at the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game speaks during a press conference Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo/) Bruno Mars who will headline the half-time show at the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game hold the game ball during a press conference Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo/) Denver Broncos safety David Bruton catches a pass during practice Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in Florham Park, N.J. The Broncos are scheduled to play the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game Sunday, Feb. 2, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo) Opera singer Renee Fleming who will sing the National Anthem before the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game holds the game ball during a press conference Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo) NFL commissioner Roger Goodell talks during a news conference announcing the launch of NFL Now, a multimedia effort to engage fans with the league, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in New York, N.J. The Seattle Seahawks are scheduled to play the Denver Broncos in the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game on Sunday, Feb. 2, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo) Former NFL players Kurt Warner, from left, Warren Sapp and LaDainian Tomlinson watch a video presentation during a news conference in which the NFL announced the launch of NFL Now, a multimedia effort to engage fans with the league, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in New York, N.J. The Seattle Seahawks are scheduled to play the Denver Broncos in the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game on Sunday, Feb. 2, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo) Dr. Matthew Matava, president of the NFL Physicians Society, speaks during a news conference on health and safety at the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII media center, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo) Seattle Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor answers questions during a media availability Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in Jersey City, N.J. The Seahawks and the Denver Broncos are scheduled to play in the Super Bowl XLVIII football game Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014. (AP Photo) Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner answers questions during a media availability Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in Jersey City, N.J. The Seahawks and the Denver Broncos are scheduled to play in the Super Bowl XLVIII football game Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014. (AP Photo) 
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch arrives for a media availability escorted by members of the New Jersey State Police Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in Jersey City, N.J. The Seahawks and the Denver Broncos are scheduled to play in the Super Bowl XLVIII football game Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014. (AP Photo) Denver Broncos head coach John Fox talks with reporters during a news conference Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in Jersey City, N.J. The Broncos are scheduled to play the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game Sunday, Feb. 2, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo) Denver Broncos safety Mike Adams talks with reporters during a news conference Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in Jersey City, N.J. The Broncos are scheduled to play the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game Sunday, Feb. 2, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo) Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning talks with reporters during a news conference Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in Jersey City, N.J. The Broncos are scheduled to play the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game Sunday, Feb. 2, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo)

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