Editor's Note: This is part one of a two-part series in which Athlon's editors make arguments for the Super Bowl XLIV winner. Click here to get the Saints' perspective.
Bourbon Street was filled with excitement following New Orleans’ NFC Championship victory, but don’t expect that same feeling to fill the French Quarter this Sunday.
The Saints present plenty of problems for Indianapolis, namely a high-powered offense and a defense that has a penchant for forcing turnovers and making big plays. However, the Colts were the NFL’s best team during the regular season and continued that run with two solid wins in the playoffs. They stand 60 minutes away from earning their third Super Bowl trophy.
The Colts are headed back to a familiar place for Super Bowl XLIV –- Miami. The two previous wins by Indianapolis in the Super Bowl came in Miami, including the 2006 triumph over Chicago. Of course, that familiarity won’t win this Super Bowl alone, but the Colts should be comfortable and not overwhelmed by the experience.
Making a case for Indianapolis as the Super Bowl favorite is pretty easy. Had coach Jim Caldwell chosen to let his starters play in Week 16 and 17, the Colts likely would enter the Super Bowl undefeated. Every game the Colts put a full effort into, they won.
The Saints boasted the NFL’s top-scoring offense in the regular season, but keeping up on the scoreboard won’t be a problem for the Colts. Quarterback Peyton Manning earned the league’s MVP award this season and roasted the Jets' defense in the AFC Championship Game for 377 yards and three scores.
Considering what Manning was able to do against the Jets, another effort of 300 or more passing yards can’t be ruled out against the Saints. Manning is clearly among the best players in the league, but the Colts have a solid supporting cast surrounding him. Receivers Pierre Garcon, Reggie Wayne and Austin Collie, along with tight end Dallas Clark, form one of the best receiving corps in the league. Running backs Joseph Addai and Donald Brown combined for over 1,000 yards on the ground this year, and both will be factors in the passing game.
The Saints allowed 284 passing yards per game in the playoffs and ranked 20th or worse in the four major defensive categories during the regular season. The secondary has been a concern all season long and will be under fire from the opening snap in this game. The Saints will be aggressive in getting to the quarterback, but if the Colts can pick up the pressure (they allowed only 13 sacks in the regular season), Manning should torch this defense.
With one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history on your sideline, the defense often gets overlooked, and that’s the case with the Colts’ defense this year. Coordinator Larry Coyer was hired to be more aggressive on defense, and the Colts registered 34 sacks and 26 turnovers during the regular season.
Don’t expect the Colts to completely slow down the New Orleans offense, but getting pressure on Drew Brees from defensive ends Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney should enable the Colts to create turnovers. However, Freeney's ankle is a concern, and even if he plays, he won't be 100 percent. The Colts’ inexperienced secondary also is a concern, which makes getting to Brees (and Freeney's health) even more important.
Should this game come down to a field goal, the Colts should feel pretty good about their chances. Veteran Matt Stover is 14 of 16 on attempts this year and has been reliable in past playoff appearances.
With both offenses among the best in the NFL, the Saints will probably still move the ball on the Indianapolis defense. However, don’t expect the Colts to give up the same turnovers the Vikings did in the NFC Championship Game.
Once again, Miami should prove to be a friendly place for the Colts as they hoist Lombardi Trophy No. 3.
Colts’ statistical leaders (including playoffs):
Passing: Peyton Manning, 5,123 yards, 38 TDs
Rushing: Joseph Addai, 931 yards, 10 TDs
Receiving: Reggie Wayne, 1,382 yards, 11 TDs
Sacks: Dwight Freeney, 13.5
Interceptions: Antoine Bethea, 5
