As much as it hurts to admit it, the Indianapolis Colts are just that much better than the New Orleans Saints. The Saints are the feel-good story of the Super Bowl, but when you look at the facts that good feeling slowly disappears. The Colts will win Super Bowl XLIV because Peyton Manning will not allow his team to lose, not in a game that is this significant to his legacy.
Manning has established himself as the top quarterback in the NFL. No signal caller is more efficient and knowledgeable when it comes to the subtle nuances of the game. In the Coltsí two playoff victories this season, Manning dismantled what were considered to be two of the top-five defenses in football in the Baltimore Ravens and the New York Jets. He is a player who studies the game more intently than almost any player ever and who goes above and beyond the call of duty in preparation and execution.
Manning earned his fourth Most Valuable Player award this season despite having a less than amazing supporting cast of skill players.† That being said, the Colts will benefit from the fact that while their skill players may still be unknown and unproven they are more consistent and explosive than the backs and receivers of the Saints.† Players such as Pierre Garcon, Austin Collie and Donald Brown have excelled this season as relative unknowns primarily because of their exceptional field general. The Saints receiving corps of Marques Colston, Robert Meachem and Devery Henderson cannot be expected to produce on the same level as Garcon, Collie, Dallas Clark and Reggie Wayne.
Saintsí supporters will hold tight to the opinion that the Coltsí defense is suspect and will be exposed by the Saints explosive passing attack, especially if stud defensive end Dwight Freeney misses the game with torn ligaments in his ankle, but the Coltsí defense is extremely underrated. In the regular season the Colts were ranked 18th in total defense and 14th against the pass.† The Saints, generally regarded as the better defensive team, were ranked 25th and 26th respectively in those categories. The Saints defense relies heavily on turnovers, and Manning does not make mistakes in crucial situations.
While some believe the Colts will not be able to pressure Drew Brees and get sacks, the stats suggest that sacks are not necessary for the speedy Colts defense who have only recorded one sack in there two playoff games while giving up a stingy 20 total points.† Even without Freeney, Robert Mathis and Raheem Brock will command double teams from a questionable Saints offensive line that allowed the Vikings to bother Brees all day in an NFC Championship game which they were lucky to win.
The Saints have stumbled into the Super Bowl after ending the season with three loses and benefiting from the self-destruction of the Vikings two weeks ago.† The Colts are the more dangerous and talented team, if for no reason other than who will line up under center on Sunday.† Manning is playing on a level never before seen in history. He is aware that a win in Super Bowl XLIV would not only solidify him as the best in the league, but would also earn him a place on the Mount Rushmore of all-time greats.
[Chris and Matthew are Sports Editors for The Wooster Voice. Contact them at cweston10@wooster.edu and myannie10@wooster.edu]