Super Bowl XLIV: A Trip Back to the Super Bowls of Old

It is kind of a sad time for football fans. We sit here with just one more meaningful game on the schedule the Super Bowl. It really gets sad when you think that this Super Bowl will probably be over by the time The Who is taking the stage with their walkers. If you take a careful look at both the New Orleans Saints and the Indianapolis Colts you just may realize that this is shaping up to be blowout.

First of all everyone needs to realize that the Saints are just lucky to be in the game. In the NFC championship game the Minnesota Vikings did everything but put a ribbon on the game, it was such a gift. When you recover five turnovers and yet still only manage to win in overtime I think there is a problem. I am not trying to rain on the Saints parade but when they were squeaking by the Vikings the Colts were busy dismantling the New York Jets. Unless the Saints can learn some new tricks in the next week I think the heartwarming story will have a sad and definitive ending.

The biggest problem for the Saints will be their secondary which will have to figure how to cover four targets each of which could have a huge game. Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Austin Collie, or Pierre Garcon could instantly become Peyton Manning's favorite target. While the Saints a scary arsenal of weapons themselves the Colts defense is better than when they won the Super Bowl three years ago. The Colts also have experience on their side. Who knows how Drew Brees, Marques Colston, and Reggie Bush will react when they get on American sports biggest stage. Colston performed a disappearing act in the NFC Championship game making only two catches for 22 yards.

We won't waste much time looking at the running game for each team, because neither team is very good running the ball. The Saints Pierre Thomas will be good for about 50-60 yards, while the Colts Joseph Addai may make it to 70 yards as the Colts try to waste some time off the clock later in the game. There is little doubt that the quarterbacks will be the stars of this game.

I haven't seen all the Colts games this season, but the ones I have watched I have seen a Peyton Manning that is more confident than ever before. I have yet to see him rattled in a game this year, the way some teams used to be able to do. I think Manning will just continue to strut his stuff and will probably win his second Super Bowl MVP, and this one he will deserve.

Drew Brees on the other hand looked a little lost at times in the game against the Vikings. Luckily for the Saints he was able to take advantage of some excellent field position that was given to him in that game. Unfortunately I don't see the Colts doing the same thing as the Vikings.

I hope that I wind up being wrong. I hope that Super Bowl XLIV is one for the ages. I will be rooting for the Saints, but I surely wouldn't put any money down on them, that money is better invested in some chicken wings, pizza, and nachos. Prediction: Indianapolis 41, New Orleans 14.