We are about 72 hours away from the biggest game in the NFL season. The two best teams from each conference are now pit against each other as the New Orleans Saints square off against the Indianapolis Colts. Each team resembles the other in style of play, and this will definitely be a high-flying, high-scoring game. I will give you my predictions as to which team will come out on top of what will be a chess match of a game.
At quarterback, each team has one of the league’s best in Drew Brees for the Saints and Peyton Manning for the Colts. Brees is a smart quarterback who spreads the ball around to almost every player on the offensive side of the ball and rarely makes a mistake. Brees helped change the landscape of Saints football as his presence over the past three seasons has transformed the Saints from one of the worst teams in the NFL into the best NFC team. Brees has meant more to New Orleans than any other quarterback has for his city, not only on the field, but also off it in the community.
Peyton Manning, on the other hand, has led his team to success for his entire career as a Colt. The Colts have been the pinnacle of consistency lately, and that only happened because of Peyton Manning’s intelligence and leadership abilities. He lost two of his top wide receivers this past year, yet he managed to make two rookies into superstars in Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie. Even with a new coach, Manning led his team to 14 straight wins and now the Super Bowl. Without Peyton Manning, the Indianapolis Colts would hardly be the same.
The interesting storyline with Manning is that his father, Archie Manning, was the quarterback for the Saints during the late 1970s, so the city of New Orleans respects Manning almost as much as they do Brees. Archie did side with his son, obviously, but I don’t think he would mind too much if the Saints win.
Despite what they mean to each team, the quarterbacks aren’t the only stars of the game. Reggie Bush for the Saints should provide a spark that will make the Saints dangerous, while Reggie Wayne of the Colts will provide consistency for the Colts offense. On the defense, each team has some flaws; however, they make that up with the awesome firepower on offense and by taking away the ball before the opponent can score.
Probably the most under-hyped story of the Super Bowl is the fact that the Who are playing the halftime show. With songs such as My Generation and Baba O’ Riley, the Who are rock legends who have graced us with their classic rock since 1964. They have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and have influenced many generations with their numerous hits. I am truly excited to see what Pete Townshend, one of the true guitar heroes, has in store for the millions of viewers, both live and on the big screen.
Overall, this is going to be one of the best Super Bowl games in recent history. These are two fast, smart offenses going up against each other and whoever scores the last points will end up winning it.
My prediction is that the Saints will overcome a past filled with adversity and win 34-31.
Bryan Manderscheid is a freshman engineering major. He can be reached for comment at [email protected]
