Not much going to come off the Prose today, as the biggest day of the sports calendar is finally upon us. We’ve finally narrowed down the playoff picture to just two teams – the Indianapolis Colts of the AFC, and the New Orleans Saints of the NFC.
The game will be played at Sun Life Stadium, home to the Miami Dolphins, and kickoff is scheduled for a 6:25 Eastern start time. A quick background of the two teams as follows:
New Orleans is making their first Super Bowl appearance since the creation of the franchise in 1953, and the Indianapolis Colts are making their fourth appearance since the founding of their predecessor Baltimore Colts in 1953. New Orleans is coming into the game after a 13-3 regular season record, and the Colts at 14-2. Both teams were 13-0 heading into week fourteen games, but the Saints sputtered against Dallas at home. The week later, the Indianapolis Colts decided that going undefeated wasn’t an important statistical measure for the squad, and decided to rest their starters in a losing effort to the New York Jets.
The game features arguably the two best passing offenses in the NFL, with Peyton Manning at the helm for Indianapolis and Drew Brees for New Orleans. Both had incredible 2009-2010 campaigns, but Peyton Manning walked away with the Most Valuable Player hardware(Brees finished a distant 2nd).
Both teams have lived by outscoring the opposition, which creates some real intrigue for a Super Bowl match-up. Neither team plays exceptional defense, and with offenses so systemic and methodical, many people are speculating on an absolute shootout in Miami. The Colts are a five point favorite to win the game, as Indianapolis has a slight edge in experience(one recent Super bowl victory) and arguably the greatest quarterback of our generation running the show. It’d be foolish to count out the Saints, however, who absolutely pummeled the Arizona Cardinals, a quality playoff team, and took care of the feisty Minnesota Vikings en route to their SB appearance.
And for those that care about the “musical” aspect of it all, Carrie Underwood is on the vocals for the National Anthem, and The Who is performing during halftime.
Colts or Saints? Make your picks below!
- Travis Yost – Colts 34 Saints 27
- Derek Boucher – Colts 39 Saints 36
- Shane Campbell – Colts 27 Saints 20
Travis Yost is a native New Yorker and recent Arizona State University product . He is the team beat writer for the Ottawa Senators over at Hockey Buzz, and covers all sports here at The Prose. 
Going to be a high scoring affair for sure tonight. Interesting betting line of the night: Saints to win by 43 points pays x101.
I’m going 27-24 Colts, Peyton Manning MVP
the game will be close out of the gate with both teams trading scores early but eventually the saints will come up empty on more and more drives as peyton does what he seemingly does time and time again which is adapt in the game and exploit even the smallest mistakes by the saints D leading the colts to a 10 point victory, 38-28
We all know about Manning and Brees, but who’s the x-factor in the game today?
I like Austin Collie as the X-Factor. Best match-up though is Wayne/Greer.
Collie or Garcon? I think Garcon will have a bigger day and hopefully we will see some big play from Dallas Clark who was pretty quiet last game if I remember correctly. I am also curious about the whole Dwight Freeney situation and how he will play today.
Colts win 31-24.
I don’t think it will be as high scoring as a game as most people think. I see the Colts actually trying to run the ball and grind out the clock with long drives against the Saints D, keeping Brees off the field. Look for Colts to rush for 125+ yards.
Look for Manning to abuse Gay so thoroughly that they will accuse him of a hate crime.
Anyone know if the rain will hold off for the entire game?
My X-Factor is Joseph Addai. He is the best RB the Colts have, he is very good catching passes, and he is going to be critical to the Colts picking up the Saints’ blitzes.
A few betting specials from PartyBets.com for anyone who bets/wants to.
- Winning team gives up 0 points: +5000
- Kurt Warner’s record of 414 passing yards in a Super Bowl to be broken: +400
- Super Bowl XLIV to be decided by a winning touchdown in the final two minutes of regular time: +150
First one is too ridiculous. Option two is possible (weather pending) and the third one is the most likely but not paying well enough in my opinion. Game could very well be decided in the dying minutes though.
I hope Kobe and Lebron’s saturday points total (-1 1/2) versus the Colts and Saints point total. The bet was graded no action cause Kobe didn’t start, after 47 LBJ points!
I can’t wait to hear girls around the world talk about how much they enjoyed the commercials tomorrow
In the end, I think experience will ultimately be the deciding factor in this game. Both teams have tons of talent, but this is the Saints first ever SuperBowl, and I just don’t see them winning.
Colts 31, Saints 27
Colts – 38 Saints – 24
The deciding factor is NO’s front 4 and the defensive packages Sean Peyton uses. If he brings in McKenzie to cover Collie then I think you’re going to see the Colts struggle unless they can establish a running game.
More mentions:
Kim Kardashian (Reggie Bush’s girlfriend) x1
or
Kendra from the Girls Next Door (Hank Baskett’s wife) x2
Colts 20-14.
Still not a single person thinking Saints getting the W today.
X factor’s are Garcon, Brown, and Bracket for the Colts. For the Saints, I’d say the secondary wr’s Henderson, Meachem, etc. And, on the defensive side of the ball you have to look at Jabari Greer and Anthony Hargrove, trying to figure out Peyton Manning.
Saints could win but there’s nothing they really do better than the colts besides run the ball, and I doubt they are going to do that well today (this isn’t sproles and LT we’re talking about). Of course the giants/pats superbowl showed us that the better team doesn’t always win in the end. It will be interesting to see which defense plays better and I think it will be the colts D.
Little over an hour to go. Just put $10 on the Saints to win the coin toss. Seriously.
I hope the saints win but the mart money has to be on the colts (for the game that is not the coin toss, derek you have a gambling problem go to pinewood)
31-24 saints
Come on Saints, win that coin toss.
The NFL has a special coin for this SB. In the air it morphs so that both sides are the same and the Colts win…
Bitter, bitter Patriot fans.
I knew they’d win it.
13 in a row for the NFC…thats unreal
Not enjoying the halftime show at all
yea that was a weak showing by the who but WHO DAT!!! on the Onside kick!
I do feel bad for Freeney. I wish he was 100% for this game so there could be no excuses when we do win.
FUCK YES, Hartley is the most clutch kicker in the NFL.
onside kick was awesome
Dude, the onside kick made me so god damn hot. I’ve seen videos on spankwire that didn’t do that much for me.
The scrum that came after was intense. I’m not a fan of either team, but I love seeing a great game aka I’m cheering for whatever team has less points. Go Saints.
Hahaha, I hope they win, just because I want to see a Terminator lose in another big one. (Manning)
aaaaaaaaaand it’s a miss
YES, that is what I expect from kickers in the NFL! Go Saints!
He held it!
Stover on suicide watch.
Every year I make my prediction for super bowl MVP at the start of the 4th quarter. I went with the easy pick, Peyton Manning. Whatever, I can’t go against the guy.
Let’s go Bills
The fat lady has sung
and thats the ball game!
Manning for MVP was gold until a Bills fan chime din.
damn it ya gotta love CBS to hear them talk ud think the Colts were down by 1… Refs, TV… shit who doesnt suck the colts D*&$s…
Mike is one happy man tonight
Aparently i gave Peyton adn the boys too much credit i called 31-24 saints….
Tony Dungy your thoughts????
holy shit at the mirage of cameras and shit
pardon me while i happy dance