Super Bowl 44 Game Preview: What you need to know before the Big Game

Indianapolis Colts vs. New Orleans Saints

Miami, FL * February 7th 2010  

This is it, what we were all looking forward to especially when both these teams were battling to be undefeated through the regular season. Needless to say the undefeated season, for both teams, did not happen, the Saints fell to the Dallas Cowboys and the Colts fell to the New York Jets in the regular season. These teams were the cream of the crop during the season and it showed through the playoffs, the Colts opted for the ‘resting’ option, the Saints were pressing for the undefeated season but when it fell by the waist side they also went the route of resting players. It paid off well, the Colts were definitely question for the decision to rest, many players, fans and sports personalities wanted them to seek the perfect season, but the rest has helped the team throughout the playoffs. The Saints rest also helped them to get better, as far as health, they got the offense back on track and the defense was in rare form against the Minnesota Vikings. I think this will be a Super Bowl for the ages and both teams are looking to prove who truly is the best.

Key Match-ups:

Drew Brees vs. the Colts defensive speed

Colts Receivers vs. Saints Secondary

The Colts could be the fastest defense in the NFL, with speed rushers Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis, they have disrupted and disturbed many an offensive game plan. This could be much of the same, if the Saints expect to have any success they must establish a strong running game, which could be difficult (see Ravens and Jets two of the best rushing teams in the league). There is a chip on this Colts defenses’ shoulder every other team that they have played it has been about the other defense, they are out to prove themselves and they won’t stop until they are given that respect. When looking for respect you have to, as a famous wrestler said, “To be the man you have to beat the man” and the fact is Drew Brees has been the man in New Orleans and has that offense running like clock work, so if you want respect it will go through New Orleans. I think they will be up to the task.

The Jets tried to implement the game plan against the Colts of taking Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark away as options for Peyton Manning, what hey didn’t plan on was Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie who both had a monster game. Manning will find your weakness, it may not be the 1 st quarter, it may not be the 2 nd but rest assured he is the best in-game quarterback in the league and he will make the adjustment. Can the Saints secondary, not stop Manning, but disguise coverage and not tip the hand they have; if they do it will be a long night in Miami.

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Keys to the Game:

Saints scoring early and often

Colts creating turnovers and capitalizing

If New Orleans plans on winning this Super Bowl they must score as soon as possible (if they can score right now it would be good). They can’t get behind Indianapolis, if they do it will force them to pass and that means the defense can become one dimensional and it will be bad for Brees. The Saints must use the size and speed of the receivers to create space and the running game must be consistent for victory to be attainable. For the Colts if the defense can create turnovers that will mean Peyton Manning and the offense will be on the field and that is a good thing. When the offense is on the field they will find a way to score and the New Orleans defense doesn’t want to play from behind against this offense. If Indianapolis can win the turnover battle, then Indianapolis can win the game.

I believe this one can be a shoot out, but the only problem is the Colts defense is really good and I believe that this will be the game that they can show how good they really are and they are excited about being on this stage against this team. There is no bigger stage than the Super Bowl and the two best teams are next on the stage, get ready its going to be one heck of a show.

By: Sam Adams
Pro Football Fans Staff Writer