Thursday, February 4, 2010

Why the Colts will win big Sunday

Indianapolis vs. New Orleans. Super Bowl Sunday. The quarterback duel to end all quarterback duels. The two No.1 seeds from their respective conference playing in the Super Bowl for the first time since the 1993 NFL season.

Going to be close, right?

No, it won’t be.

I like Indianapolis to win this game, 34-20, and there’s one simple reason why.

Although the Super Bowl pregame talk has been dominated by offense, defense will decide this one. I don’t like New Orleans’ chances of getting pressure on Peyton Manning, and I don’t like the Saints’ chances of ever stopping Manning once he gets time to throw.

The Colts simply have a better defense (and a better pass rush, because Dwight Freeney is going to play). That’s the difference here. Even if you say these quarterbacks, in this season, are just about equally great, these defenses are not equal. The Saints will need a ton of turnovers to keep pace with Manning, because I just don’t see the Colts punting much. They’re going to score – a lot. No way around it.

And while New Orleans will undoubtedly get in the end zone some, too, I don’t think it will be enough. I think these two No.1 seeds are not going to produce a super-close Super Bowl.

Colts by 14. Sayonara to the Saints.

8 comments:

Dee Stephens said...

boo on you!! You just wait and see!!!
WHO DAT! Geaux Saints!

Anonymous said...

I feel the Colts will win but the spread will only be 7 points or less..

Anonymous said...

I hope the colts win cause my husband has always been a fan, even since the Baltimore days, and seriously, as a Panthers fan I have a real problem pulling for the Saints, even if it is beneficial to the division.

panthser said...

Why the Saints will win... Defense. Assuming they are not still sitting on top of Favres chest, they will find a new chest to sit on. They looked awesome in the last game. Brees had one of the worst games I have seen from him, but it didn't matter cause the Saints D was so good. I think Brees shows up this time tho. The Colts are good, but how many rings have they won under Peyton? They have been here before, its nothing new to them. Don't under estimate the excitement of the Saints who have dreamed of this moment since they were Sainted by Pat O'brien. Its there destiny. I'll take the Saints in the upset.

Matt said...

I struggled with my choice for this game all week. Over time, I realized this - the Saints win IF they stop Manning or IF Manning gets hurt, or IF they win the turnover battle or IF special teams comes up big. There's no "if" about Peyton Manning - he always shows up and always plays well. And even "if" it's a close game - that generally works in Manning's favor, as well. I also don't like the way the Saints played to wind down the season and into the playoffs (Arizona game aside) - resting Brees and the boys weren't factors in the Tampa and Washington games. It's great to see New Orleans in the Super Bowl, but I think the Colts dominate this one.

Anonymous said...

When Peyton Manning's Colts are favored in the playoffs, they have never lost to a team that plays a 4-3 defense. New Orleans plays a 4-3 defense. Indy won't drop the ball three times without being hit like the Vikes did. Brees is putting too much pressure on himself, and will struggle early. Colts 41-17.

Anonymous said...

I hope you are right. I will never pull for a division rival to win the Super Bowl.

David Boyd said...

Well, at least you got the margin of victory right.