My Super Bowl Prediction

It's Super Bowl Sunday - a day that, if you don't have a team playing in the game, becomes all that much less important. But, hey, you can still watch the commercials. Also, it's the last gasp of football for the next couple of months, we still have a month until March Madness, the NBA doesn't pick up intensity until April and it's still not warm enough to spend my weekends on the golf course, so I'll take what I can get. Plus, with two high-scoring teams playing there is a chance for a shootout, so here's hoping for a good game. Let's break it down:

The Saints Will Win If...

They cut down on the penalties, keep the ball as long as they can and force a couple turnovers. They have the running game to keep the Colts offense on the sidelines and I just don't think they want to get into a shootout. It might be hard to fight the urge to start chucking the ball up and down the field, considering that's what got them to this point, but taking a slow-and-steady pace is probably better in the interest of self-preservation. Their d-line is solid, but not spectacular, so they should be able to pressure Manning occasionally. And, despite the fact that everyone is talking about how great Manning is and he's already won a Super Bowl, let's not forget he didn't exactly light up the Bears a couple years back. That was, in truth, the second-worst Super Bowl I ever watched live. He is not infallible. If they don't shoot themselves in the foot, the Saints could very easily win this game.

The Colts Will Win If...

They don't kill themselves with mistakes, play good special teams and avoid giving up the big play. I don't think the Colts have a ton of defense, but they have more than the Saints. If they play smart special teams, force the Saints to look at a long field and then get field position in their favor, this game should be theirs. As long as the corners are smart and just look to make a solid tackle instead of going for the interception that should negate the lack of pressure the d-line will be putting on Brees, because even if Dwight Freeney plays he'll be ineffective. Manning can't force throws and they have to have a small semblance of a running game, just to keep the Saints from only rushing four. They do all that and Manning will only trail Brady by 1 Ring. (Did you honestly think you were getting through this without a single "Brady is still better" reference?)

My Prediction:

Look, no one will be rooting harder for the Saints than me. I'm not totally sure I want to live in a world in which Alex Rodriguez, Kobe Bryant and Peyton Manning are the champions. But, the bottom line is that Manning is playing out of his mind right now. Sure, the Saints could win and it wouldn't be a shocking upset, I just don't think they will. The simple truth is that the Colts only tried to win in 16 games this year and they won every single one of them. Are they one of the best teams of all-time? Absolutely not, but they are the best of this year. Also, with news leaking that the Saints are getting a parade win or lose and I get the feeling the team has a "just happy to be here" vibe about them. As a result, I feel like we'll be seeing Manning and the Colts up double-digits in the fourth quarter and have to deal with an hour of, "Where does this put Manning in the ranks of the All-Time greats?" talk.
Final Score: Colts 35 - Saints 24

-Oh, and one last note to The Who: if you don't open with "Baba O'Riley", I don't know why you even bothered to show up.