Who's gonna win the Big One?

tayke2 On 12:35 PM

I can't remember a Superbowl in recent memory that I was more excited about. Two great teams that I actually like. I said when the teams were decided that more often than not in the Super Bowl I am pulling against one team rather then for another. This year, I would pull for either one. But I'm sticking to home town allegiance and pulling for the Saints. But who do I think is going to win? We have to break it down into five categories. Offense, Defense, Special Teams, Coaching, and Intangibles. Lets get Started.

Offense: For this lets break it down into 3 categories: QB, RB, and WR.
QB: What a treat this is. The two best quarterbacks in the game playing for the biggest prize in the game. On one side, Peyton Manning: a first ballot hall of famer who has already collected more MVP's then anyone in NFL history, and is looking to cement himself as one of if not the greatest Quarterbacks of all time. The other side, a man who is trying to get where Manning is. Everyone knows about Brees now, and he will be looking to win on the world's greatest stage.
Advantage: Push.

Running backs: The Colts have Joseph Addai and Donald Brown. Both solid players, but they are definitely not the first option on the team. For the Saints, while Reggie Bush gets all the media coverage, Pierre Thomas is the #1 back on this team. Bush will come in for a few exciting plays, and Mike Bell will also see time as a change up back. Advantage: Saints.

Wide Receivers: Reggie Wayne will be the best receiver on the field, but overall, the Saints have the better WR corp. In any game, Colston, Meachem, or Henderson could be the star, and Brees is one of the best when it comes to spreading the ball around. Advantage: Saints

Overall Advantage: Saints (though its a very slight one)

Defense: Coming into media week, the biggest question is the status of Dwight Freeney. He's playing on a hurt ankle, and its not know whether he can play. Lets be real. This is the Super Bowl. Freeney will find a way on that field. He is the best Defensive player in all of the NFL arguably, and he will find his way into the game.

For the Saints, their Defense is vastly improved from last year, thanks in large part to Darren Sharper. Having said that, the Saints still aren't that great a defensive team. I believe they were around 25th overall in the NFL. Its a defense that thrives on Turnovers, and unfortunately for them, there wont be many to be had against Peyton Manning.

Advantage: Colts

Special Teams: Matt Stover is the solid veteran kicker for the Colts, but I'm not sure how reliable he will be from 50 yards, which could force them to go for some 4th downs around the 30 yard line. And Reggie Bush, while his judgment isn't always the best, is one of the best punt returners in the league. The Colts will definitely be looking to kick away form him, because if he can get his hands on a punt, watch out. And I'm sold on Garret Hartley's nerves. In what is the 2nd biggest kick in any kickers' career(to get his team into the Super Bowl) the young Hartley perfectly split the uprights, showing the Saints he can handle the pressure.

Advantage: Saints.

Coaching: Jim Cadwell vs Sean Peyton. I don't want to make huge judgments here because it is obviously difficult to know the strengths of the coaches without working closely with the team. But Peyton is very great at Gameplanning, and I'm still bitter that Cadwell benched his starters with a perfect season on the line.

Advantage: Saints

Intangibles- This could be any number of things. But for me, the most prominent one one is experience. Here are the facts. The Colts have been here before. They know what to expect. The Saints have the pressure of an entire city on their backs. I think the Colts could jump out to a 10 point lead early, which could be all the difference they need in this shootout.

Advantage: Colts

So by my count, the Saints have a 3-2 advantage. However, I'm going against he numbers here. Largely because the Saints have a veryyyy slight advantage on Offense, and the Colts have a biggg advantage on defense. I want the Saints to win, but I think the Colts are the better team. I'm going with the Colts here. As I predicted, I see the Colts jumping out to a 10-0 lead, and holding on to that to pull out the win. Though this could come down to who has the ball last.

Final Prediction: Colts win 34-27.

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