Cody’s Blog

Super Bowl XLIV is abundance of firsts on the New Orleans Saints’ side of things. This year marks the first time in the franchise’s 43 years that they have gone to the Super Bowl. For all but three of the players and coaches, it is their first time at the big game as well. But when talking about the Indianapolis Colts, they have, however cliche it may sound, “been there, done that.” The Colts and league MVP Peyton Manning captured a Super Bowl XLI title amidst the pouring down rain in Miami. And, oddly enough, they find themselves back in the Super Bowl this year in the same site, but with a totally different outdoor element to conquer; the swirling winds of South Beach. Both the Saints as well as the Colts are from dome stadiums, and this could play a part in this culminating game of the 2009-2010 season.

Key Team Match-ups

• Colts offense vs. Saints defense – The Colts offense, led by the best signal caller in the league in Manning, go up against the #26 ranked overall defense in the NFL. This number is misleading, however, as they ranked first with 46 forced turnovers and are some of the scrappiest, hardest-hitting players in the league. The key for the Colts is going to be getting mis-matches and finding someone or something to exploit. Dallas Clark provides big match up problems for a defense, and I think that Peyton is going to find him a lot in this game. As far as weakness, cornerback Rudy Gay has shown that he can be vulnerable, and Manning will no doubt try and go at him until he proves he can hold his own.
• Saints offense vs. Colts defense – This match up pitts the league’s most productive offense against the NFL’s fastest defense. The Colts, while ranking down near the bottom of the barrel in rush defense, have given up less than 2oo yards rushing to Ray Rice as Well as Thomas Jones and Shonne Greene and have held their opponents offense to just 20 points total. The Saints are in an opportune position exploit an improved Indy defense, however, as they are seven widouts deep and have two of the best explosive running backs in the game today in Reggi Bush and Pierre Thomas. The Saints and Drew Brees are going to have to be on their game, as the the Colts have a great secondary and do not give up a whole lot of points.

This game is definitely going to be a classic by the time the final whistle blows, and is also going to probably going to be one of the highest scoring contests as well. I think that the Colts and Peyton Manning are going to pull out their second Super Bowl title in four years, and it may come down to what Manning is best known for; the two-minute drill. The Colts have scored 76 points the entire year (including the playoffs) in the final two minutes of the first half alone and I have a feeling the Manning may have to make one of his patented drives in either the first or second half in order for the Colts to pull out the victory. My Pick: Colts 34-Saints 30

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