After a long and eventful NFL season, Super Bowl XLIV is finally here.
The New Orleans Saints are hyped up, fired up and looking to clinch their first ever Super Bowl win over an experienced, cool, calm and collected Indianapolis Colts.
This year we actually have the two best performing teams from the regular season, as opposed the usual surprise team that makes a late run at the end of the season. We also have two of the best quarterbacks in the league, going against two pretty average defenses, as opposed to other years where there has usually been at least one of the best defensive teams in the league playing in the Super Bowl.
Here is a quick breakdown of each teams strengths and weaknesses on all sides of the field, and my prediction at to who I think will take out Super Bowl XLIV on Monday.
Offense
Indianapolis Colts: We all know Peyton Manning is a future Hall of Famer and can win a game on his own back. He has already won a Super Bowl ring and knows what it takes.
I think this game will come down to who can make big plays under pressure when the game is on the line and I expect Manning to look to his number one receiving target Reggie Wayne (pictured). Wayne has had a pretty quiet playoff campaign so far, but I expect him to come through with the big game changing play late in the fourth quarter as he had done on several occasions this year (and could bring in a bigger catch than San Antonio Holmes in last years Super Bowl).
I expect the Saints defense to go after the other Colts hot offensive weapons Dallas Clark, Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie, leaving Wayne free in one on one coverage against a good but not great set of Saints corner backs (there is no Darelle Revis for the Saints).
The Saints defense loves to blitz and bring pressure, so I think the Colts will also rely heavily on dumping the ball off the their crafty running backs Joseph Addai and Donald Brown. Other teams have had success doing this against the Saints towards the end of the season, and I expect Addai to rip off some big chunks of yards and put the Saints on the back foot early.
New Orleans Saints: As with Peyton Manning, everyone knows how good Drew Brees is. He can tear the game open at any time but I think the Saints ability to run the ball down the Colts throats all day will be the key to a New Orleans win.
The Colts defense is undersized and have been without their number one run stopping safety Bob Sanders all year. New Orleans must stick to their running game late and not get away from it.
The Saints also have some big, tall threats in tight end Jeremy Shockey and number one wide out Marques Colston, but I think the Saints other two big play threat receivers, Devery Henderson and Robert Meachem, will ultimately decide the outcome of this game.
The Saints have relied on big plays down field from Meachem and Henderson all year and it has been the key to their success. That said, the Colts defense doesn’t give up many big plays and will make life tough for the Saints who could go into panic mode if they don’t get big plays early.
Defense
Indianapolis Colts: Perhaps one of the biggest stories of the week leading up to the Super Bowl, has been the injury to Colts star pass rushing defensive end Dwight Freeney.
Speculation on whether he will play and or be effective has raised the question…can the Colts can get pressure on and shake up Drew Brees. I think it’s time for Freeny’s partner in crime, Robert Mathis (pictured) the Colts other pass rushing defensive end, to step up and show the world what he is made of.
The Colts are a very under sized and low key defensive unit who like to play it safe with zone and cover two coverage. They like to eliminate big plays and getting the ball back in Peyton’s hands.
Despite being banged up all year, the Colts have been able to rely on rookies to step up and make plays when they need them. I was especially impressed with their ability to shut down the Jets number one ranked running unit last game, and think they have what it takes to hold the Saints offense.
New Orleans Saints: The Saints defense might not look the most talented on paper, but their defensive coordinator Greg Williams is one of the best in the league and loves bringing pressure on the QB. This pressure has helped the Saints secondary and in particular veterans such as Darren Sharper and Jonathon Vilma make game changing plays all season.
The Saints defense is all about turning the ball over. They are willing to give up a few yards and go for the big sack, strip, or interception to change a game but I think the Colts are just too smart and experienced to turn the ball over.
Special Teams
The Colts special teams unit is solid and consistent. They aren’t the worst in the league, they aren’t the best in the league, but they get the job done.
The Saints on the other hand, have one of the most explosive special teams units in the league. They have the ability to change a game at any point through star punt returner Reggie Bush (pictured).
The Saints have thrived on Bush making big plays on special teams all playoffs, but I don’t think there will be many chances for Bush to break one on Monday. I think both teams will be scoring so much that we won’t see much punting at all, playing right into the Colts hands.
Final Prediction
There is no doubt that this game is going to be a shoot out. Its going to be high scoring, big hitting and fun to watch.
There is going to be plenty of action and highlights all game, but when it comes to the crunch, I think the Colts are just too experienced and too well coached to not take this game out.
New Orleans just aren’t used to the bright lights and the hoopla surrounding big games without their hometown behind them. The Colts on the other hand are all business game in and game out and know what it takes.
Final Score
The Indianapolis Colts 38 over the New Orleans Saints 33 in a high octane nail biter.
Whats your prediction?
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