As stated, I’m completely biased toward the black and gold – that beautiful fleur de lis. However, all personal feelings aside, I am an objective man – an objective man with several objective opinions about 2010′s Super Sunday.
Let me boldly state: This Super Bowl has the potential to be the game to define both franchises and the future careers of their present personnel. Tom Condon, the agent representing both Drew Brees and Peyton Manning, should be a busy boy this off-season.
Over/Under at 56
Never before has a Super Bowl match-up stacked two teams on the field that are expected to combine for at least 56 points. No Total/Over/Under line has ever remained so high at kickoff, and yet it looks like it will happen just after 6 p.m. EST, February 7, 2010. With the game forecast boasting clear skies and a temperature of 70 degrees, sweet mercy, the point totals are wallowing in potential. Because too many strange things have happened in the world of sport, I can’t drink the shoot-out Kool-Aid. Oh yeah, it’s PROBABLE, but I can’t commit to it. In my wildest dreams, this game would go to overtime a zero-zero tie, and be won on a blocked field goal attempt returned for a TD. For everyone else’s sake, I can roll with a whole lotta points.
This game will belong to the team that executes the most efficiently on offense. All the chatter about the Saints playing dirty D, and Dwight Freeney’s ankle can be thrown out the window. I fully expect the Saints to bait and switch all afternoon defensively, and Dwight Freeney will find a way to do what he does best – get after the QB.
Don’t Go to the Bathroom
Something will be shocking. Dramatic. Could it be Drew Brees tuckin-n-runnin with wreckless abandon for a crucial, drive-extending gain? Could it be Austin Collie breaking the Super Bowl record for receiving? I simply don’t know, and neither do you – but something in this game is going to put a pause in the cheers and jeers with an audible gasp…followed by an explosion of cheers and jeers.
I’m confident in stating that no team will ever be out of this thing. Whether the Colts or Saints are up 20-plus, they will have to keep scoring. Neither one of these teams can be counted out at any point through the first 3 quarters, or even into the 4th – never underestimate the magic of an onside kick. This is the reason I believe the game could be one of the greatest sporting events ever witnessed.
And finally, my head and heart-led biased prediction…
When the Saints lost to Dallas, I wasn’t angry, I wasn’t surprised – I simply stated, “The Saints are going to the Super Bowl.” I feel they have beaten the best playoff teams in getting to the Super Bowl, and thus, I believe they will win the Super Bowl. 34-27.
Keys to the Game
Indianapolis must stop the run, and New Orleans must force field goal attempts in the red zone. I believe those two factors will be the ultimate tale of the tape. If they both succeed, look for it to be a battle of special teams (advantage Saints), or whoever has the ball at the end (advantage Colts 2-minute Offense).
Image via: Sporting News
COLTS: 42
SAINTS: 39
Colts will pull it out in the second half 45 to 38
What. A. Game. Genuinely. I KNOW football. Brees was simply surrounded with more weapons, and the Saints cover-corners are no joke. Notice how Manning went right after Greer’s vacancy in the 1st Quarter when he saw him hobble off the field. Greer and Porter were the MVPs for the defense – forced Manning to check down consistently. Seriously, what a game. As a member of Who Dat Nation, I’m still smiling.