NFL Update!
The big game is approaching fast and I can’t wait because the game should be an absolute war. This Superbowl is one of the most hyped games ever, simply because you have both number one seeds and two of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.
As the Saints try to win for their city in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina. Peyton Manning the golden boy of New Orleans will try to dissect the Saints defense and win his second Superbowl and solidify himself as the greatest quarterback of all time!
Now to get back to the task at hand which is to make my final breakdown of both teams and make my official Superbowl pick!!!
Saints offense vs. Colts defense:
The Colts defense has the job of trying to stop the highest powered offense in the league. The Saints have explosive weapons at every position on offense. The Saints offense starts with Drew Brees throwing the ball down field to the likes of Marques Colsten, Devery Henderson, Robert Meachem, Jeremy Shocky, and Reggie Bush. Colts defense is neither great against the run or pass ranking 14th and 21st respectively. But they will try to make the Saints run the ball. Then try to get pressure on Drew Brees because if they don’t Brees will pick them apart. But the saints need to stay balanced and run the ball with Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas because they need to control the ball and keep Peyton Manning and the colts offense off the field. With Dwight Freeney hobbled with a 3rd degree ankle sprain I don’t think the colts defense will have much success stopping the Saints offense. With all that being said the Saints should put 30 plus points on the board.
Colts offense vs. Saints defense:
Darren Sharper and the Saints defense has to try and slow down Peyton Manning and the Colts offense. That will be a very tough challenge for them to do since Peyton Manning is the best quarterback in the NFL and the Saints struggle so much against the pass ranking 25th in the NFL. Gregg Williams the Saints defensive coordinator is a very aggressive play caller and his defense relies on the turnover to be successful. So for the Saints defense to have any success on Sunday they will need to pressure Manning with Sedrick Ellis and Will Smith and then create turnovers. I do think that the Colts will need to run the ball with Joseph Addai to keep the Saints honest. In the end there is no way that the Saints defense will be able to stop Peyton Manning for four quarter, and they will put up 30 plus points just like the Saints offense.
Special Teams:
The third aspect of the game that is most often over looked. Both Teams have solid field Goal Kickers. The Saints acquired Garret Hartley in week 13 and he is 9 of 11 on the year but all of his makes are less than 40 yards. He has missed his only attempt from over 50 yards. The field goal kicker Adam Vinitari is hurt with a groin injury so Matt Stover is taking his place. He has stepped up making 9 of 11 and 2 for 2 on kicks over 40 yards. I would then give the slightest edge to Matt Stover and the Colts.
The punters of both teams are very good. The Colts punter is Pat McAfee and he averages 44.3 yards per punt with a long of 60. The Saints punter is Thomas Morstead and he averages 43.6 yards per punt with a long of 60. Both of these punters won’t be on the field much if at all so neither team gets the advantage here.
Finally the punt and kickoff returners have a great chance to have an impact on the game with two high powered offenses. The Saints use the ever explosive Reggie Bush on punts and Courtney Roby on kick returns. Reggie Has three touchdown returns on the season with one coming in the Divisional round versus the Cardinals. Courtney Roby has played a big role returning many kicks across midfield this postseason!
The Colts have Chad Simpson returning kickoffs and T.J. Rushing having the punting duties. Neither one has played a big role this postseason, and only Chad Simpson has had a return for a touchdown. I don’t think either one will play a big role in Sunday’s Superbowl. So in this respect its not even close Reggie Bush and the Saints have the edge in special teams.
Now I hope you all have a great time watching the Superbowl on Sunday. Get your soda, beer, chips and salsa, chicken wings, pizza and whatever else you need to watch because it will be action packed and one hell of a game. Now its time I make my prediction and I say WHO DAT WHO DAT GONNA BEAT DEM SAINTS!!!!
NOBODY GONNA BEAT DEM SAINTS. SAINTS WIN 34 TO 31!!!!!!!!!!!!