Somewhere in the worn black Bible Kurt Warner clutches after games must be a Scripture that says, "Thou shall not underestimate the brilliance of the Pittsburgh Steelers ."

Our Lady of Perpetual Miracles closed its doors on the Cardinals last night in the Super Bowl. They were gutsy, driven, determined. They also were sloppy, nervous, inconsistent.

In the end, they simply weren't good enough.

For everything Warner has given the team this season, it seemed unjust that the quarterback's last play of the game would end with the 37-year-old on his back after being yanked down by the Steelers' LaMarr Woodley.

Warner stayed on the ground for a few extra seconds, the prize fighter after the 10-count. He rose slowly, walked to the bench and dropped his head.

The old man and the sea of black-and-gold defenders dueled all game. For much of the second half Warner was brilliant, at one point completing 10 consecutive passes, and also finding Larry Fitzgerald for a 64-yard scoring play with less than three minutes remaining in the game to put the Cardinals ahead.

But soon the clock ran out on the man who tricked Father Time all season.

As Warner walked off the field, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger found him and said, "It was an honor to be on field with you."

Roethlisberger went on to tell him Warner's autobiography inspired him to be a better quarterback.

They were kind words, but they didn't do much to ease Warner's mind. He was crushed. He came into this game convinced the Cardinals would walk away with a victory.

Who could blame him? The way the team's postseason unfolded, it seemed destined for another comeback.

What will this loss do to him?

Will it leave a bad enough taste to make him not want to experience the agony of defeat again? Warner has a life outside Football that is more full than most. Seven children. His charities. His faith.

Or will it leave him hungry for more?

The Cardinals want him back and likely will offer a two-year deal somewhere in the neighborhood of $18 million. That's a hard paycheck to pass up, especially when you still have many more years to do the things you want to do.

It's more than money, though, with Warner. This loss could leave him with a void that needs filling. He might not have all his offense back, but he'll have his favorite target and friend, Fitzgerald, and he'll have a young offensive line that grew plenty this season.

The moment that will haunt Warner most will be the final play of the first half.

With 18 seconds remaining and the Cardinals at the Steelers' 1-yard line, Warner looked for Anquan Boldin in the end zone.

As he released the ball, he noticed Steelers linebacker James Harrison went for the ball instead of blitzing like Warner expected.

Harrison caught it and lumbered 100 yards down the field for the touchdown.

It took less than a minute, but it must have felt like an hour to Warner.

"He made a great play," the quarterback said.

In some ways, it was a milestone game for Warner.

He became the first NFL quarterback to pass for more than 300 yards in three Super Bowls.

He won't be thinking about that today. He will be thinking about missed opportunities, the ending that could have been.

He also should reflect on a brilliant season. He was a big reason that much of the Arizona community fell in love with the Cardinals again. He was the perfect face for the organization in a region that could use a little good news.

"I don't think you get over it," Cardinals defensive end Antonio Smith said.

"I don't think you get over it until you come back and win it."

Cardinals fans hope Warner feels the same way.