Background Story

Is the Super Bowl better than Christmas? Probably….but I’m Jewish, so I really wouldn’t be the one to ask.

If you were to ask any analyst, or press member in week 10 of the season who will be playing in the Super Bowl, 95% would have said it will be the Indianapolis Colts vs. the New Orleans Saints, and they were right. The fact that the Saints started showing signs of a meltdown towards the end of the season had people guessing about the NFC contender, but once this team hit the playoffs, they also seemed to really get their rhythm back.
The Colts basically looked like a shoe in all year, and I don’t think anyone doubted that they would be in position to win the Super Bowl. The Chargers looked mighty fine over the last 10 weeks of the season, but looking at this teams record the last 3 years, everyone should have known they would crumble in the divisional round and Indy would end up here.

Match Ups

-Defense: The Saints defense really looked good early in the year, but started rolling down hill towards the end of the year. The Colts defense has been uncharacteristically tough this season and has played consistently well. Bringing Greg Williams in as a defensive coordinator this year has really paid off for the Saints whether they lose or win this game.
-Defensive Key: Colts defensive end and star Dwight Freeny is injured and is questionable for the game. If he is out, the Saints will gain 2 major advantages; The exterior running lane will open up on the weak side, and Drew Brees will have time to throw the ball. That equals bad new for the Colts. Darren Sharper has been great in the secondary for the Saints, but he’s playing Payton Manning this week, so he won’t be getting a lot of opportunities to intercept the ball. The defense that gives up the least big plays will win this game.

-Offense: If the regular season is any indication, we are in for a shoot out between 2 of the leagues best quarterbacks. Payton Manning is the league MVP and Drew Brees is the runner up. Now we can argue who is better, but it doesn’t really matter in this case. It boils down to pass protection, open receivers and what I consider to be the X factor, which is each teams running game.

-Offensive Key: The X factor!! Both teams can pass, both teams can protect, and both teams can run. The question at hand is who will control the clock in crunch time. If Freeny is out for the Colts, I expect Reggie Bush to have a great day running on the outside, and creating space with screen passes. I honestly think that Addai is a better every down, middle of the field back, but the question is will he get holes to run in. I think this game is a toss up, and the X factor is what will determine it.

-Pick: I’m taking Indy by 3 in this game.
-Summary: I really want to see Drew Brees win a Super Bowl, but I think Payton does better with less.

Besides the French Quarter and the Saints, New Orleans sucks. Indianapolis…..it’s in Indiana…need I say more?

-How we will celebrate: The Wass crew will be coming over to my house after we finish work, and our Link Builder/Writer extraordinaire, will be doing “Asado” which is a slow cook South American BBQ.

After that we will be playing some poker, slots, PlayStation, and when everyone passes out, I will watch the game!!!

As always, check out Bodog Sport and Stan James to see all of the different sports related bets available regarding this Mega Event.