Early Super Bowl prediction post

NFL Update!
As you all know the Superbowl is coming up this Sunday featuring the two best teams in the NFL. The New Orleans Saints come to Miami representing the NFC and the Indianapolis Colts come in representing the AFC. Both the Saints and the Colts are considered to be the best two teams in the NFL the entire season. I will be giving some background for why both teams have made it this far and what my early prediction for the Superbowl is.
The Saints went 13-0 to start the season locking up their division the NFC South and securing the number one seed and home field advantage for the playoffs. The Saints then proceeded to loose motivation and loosing to the Tampa bay Buccaneers one of the worst teams in the league. After loosing their chance to go 16-0 and obtaining the perfect record they decided to rest their starters and finish the regular season 13-3. The Saints had a first round bye and then played the Arizona Cardinals who they blew out 45-14 advancing to the NFC Championship game. Where they played the Minnesota Vikings who where the number two seed and after blowing out the Cowboys in the Divisional round were considered the favorites but the Saints persevered and caused six turnovers that helped them reach their first ever Superbowl even after not playing their best against the Vikings.
The Colts started the season in a similar fashion by going 14-0, winning their division the AFC South and getting the number one seed as well heading into the playoffs. But then the Colts also decided to rest their starters to make sure they were healthy for the playoffs. After a first round bye they hosted the Baltimore Ravens the sported a good defense and a great running game. But Peyton Manning masterfully dissected the Ravens defense. The Colts defense also played really fast and stifled the ravens running game holding the Ravens to only 87 yards rushing. Then in the AFC Championship game they hosted the New York Jets who had just come off a huge upset of the number two seed San Diego Chargers. Coming into the Colts versus Jets game their was alot of controversy because the Colts were being labeled as the ones to let the number six seed Jets into the Playoffs! By sitting their starters after the third quarter of their week 16 game. Again in the second half Peyton Manning and the colts defense was too much for the Jets to handle, and the Colts were to be headed to their second Superbowl appearance in four years.
Both Teams are number one seeds from their respective conferences and are coming in with alot of hype and a roster filled with superstars. The Saints are playing for the city of New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. They a have a high powered offense with many stars at wide receiver with Marques Colston and Devery Henderson, running back with Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas, tight end with Jeremy Shockey, and not to mention Drew Brees one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. They feature a defense really struggles against the pass but thrives on creating turnovers. Their defense is 25th but have 12 interceptions and 22 fumbles. Their rush defense is 22nd in the league allowing 1955 rushing yard during the regular season. But they are ranked second in red zone total defense again relying on turnovers.
The Colts like the saints come in with the best quarterback in the league and maybe of all time Peyton Manning. They also feature a high powered offense with many stars at wide receiver with Reggie Wayne, running back with Joseph Addai, and one of the best tight ends in the NFL with Dallas Clark. Their defense plays really fast but doesn’t create nearly as many turnovers as the Saints Defense does. The Colts rank 24th against the rush allowing an average 126.5 yards per game on the ground. Against the Colts are much better than the Saints ranking 14th in the league allowing 228 yards a game.
So in al I think the Saints have the slight edge on offense. The reason being that they are more balanced and run the ball alot better than the Colts. On defense I give the slight edge to the Colts because they don’t have to rely on the turnover as much and are slightly better at stopping the pass. Even though I think both Drew Brees and Peyton Manning will have field days against each opposing secondary’s. When you don’t have to rely on turnovers to get stop the opposing offense, as much you can be more consistent on defense.
As for special teams the Saints have the clear edge because of Reggie Bush returning punts. Reggie is one of the fastest and most electrifying players in the NFL. This gives the Saints a big edge in the field position game.
Finally for my early prediction I think the game will be an offensive shootout and will be very close throughout. But the Saints will win 34-31 in an all time classic. I will be back later in the week to give u my finals pre Superbowl thought as well as a confident final prediction!