Editor's Note: This is part two of a two-part series in which Athlon's editors make arguments for the Super Bowl XLIV winner. Click here to get the Colts' perspective.
Here’s the thing about football: It’s an emotional game. There’s no secret about it. Even in the regular season, it’s important for a team to have positive emotions on its side. Now change the importance of the game to Super Bowl XLIV.
Yes, in an atmosphere that always gets the adrenaline flowing, emotions will no doubt play a major role in deciding this season's NFL champion. And no team has more good vibes than the New Orleans Saints.
The entire country was wrapped up in the scene throughout the Big Easy on Jan. 24 as Garrett Hartley’s game-winning kick sailed through the uprights in overtime against the Vikings. Forty-plus years of the “Aints” coupled with the ongoing trials of dealing with one of the worst natural disasters ever in the United States resulted in quite possibly the biggest collective exhale and ensuing celebration in New Orleans history.
Make no mistake about it: The Saints are carrying more on their backs than the typical Super Bowl team.
Oh, yeah, and the NFC champions can play a little football as well.
Peyton Manning may very well be one of the best quarterbacks of all time, and Indianapolis’ defense has done a fine job of holding the Ravens and Jets to a combined 20 points in its two playoff games, but the Saints’ quarterback, Drew Brees, compares more favorably to Manning than to Joe Flacco or Mark Sanchez.
Brees has thrown for 444 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions in the Saints’ two playoff victories. He led the league with a 70.6 completion percentage this season while throwing for nearly 4,400 yards. And there are plenty of other stats to support why Brees should be mentioned among the top three quarterbacks in the game.
Add in skill-position players such as Reggie Bush, Pierre Thomas and Marques Colston, and the Saints can match, if not better, the Colts with their offensive personnel.
But the Saints have had these luxuries for a few years now. The difference this season is a defense that’s coming up big when it matters most, and first-year defensive coordinator Gregg Williams has had a lot to do with it.
It’s well known that teams have been able to move the ball on the Saints. They gave up over 5,700 total yards in the regular season -- 25th in the league. But they ranked second in the league with 39 takeaways and first with eight of them returned for touchdowns.
The ringleader, 34-year-old Darren Sharper, is flashing as much ability as ever in his first year with this opportunistic defense. He recorded his third career nine-interception season and took a league-high three back for touchdowns.
Sharper and Co. will have plenty of chances to make big plays against the Colts. Manning isn’t afraid to throw the ball early and often, but he has such a quick release, the Saints’ defensive line will have to put on a performance like it did against Brett Favre in the NFC Championship Game. Defensive end Will Smith, who leads the team with 13 sacks, will be key in putting pressure on Manning.
On paper, this game looks like a high-scoring affair with stellar athletes to spare on both sides. The Super Bowl can be an interesting animal, though. You never know what to expect when teams get that extra week to prepare and then have to deal with all of the frills and distractions associated with the big game.
Emotions will no doubt run high for both teams. The Saints might even fall behind as nerves kick in early in the team’s first-ever Super Bowl appearance. But when both teams need that extra push after nearly four quarters of smash-mouth football, remember that the Saints are playing for more than just a trophy.
Saints' statistical leaders (including playoffs):
Passing: Drew Brees, 4,832 yards, 40 TDs
Rushing: Pierre Thomas, 906 yards, 7 TDs
Receiving: Marques Colston, 1,179 yards, 10 TDs
Sacks: Will Smith, 13.0
Interceptions: Darren Sharper: 9
