The Booth Review: An Editorial Sports Column
Cain Chamberlin
Issue date: 2/4/10 Section: Sports
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Obviously, the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts both have solid offenses, being led by great quarterbacks who have earned the respect of their teammates and coaching staffs.
Of course, the outcome of this Super Bowl will not be decided by Drew Brees or Peyton Manning alone; it will ultimately come down to which defense can get it done.
The Saints defense has not been nearly as strong as the Colts this season, although Manning's 16 interceptions this season (his most since 2002) could be a factor especially with the Saints free safety Darren Sharper on the field who is much like Baltimore Raven's Ed Reed.
Sharper had nine interceptions in the regular season, three of them being returned for touchdowns.
The two big threats to the Saints defense, tight end Dallas Clark and wideout Reggie Wayne who said in an interview with USA Today this week "I feel the game plan we have is going to work to my advantage."
The Saints will need to shutdown Clark for sure. He's a lethal weapon in the short passing game especially on screen pass plays and inside the red zone, an area the Colts offense has no problem getting to.
New Orleans would most likely have a better chance of stopping the tight end setting up in a 3-3-5 or 3-2-6 defensive formation, putting more coverage on Clark and Wayne.
In order to keep Manning guessing, a blitz here and there wouldn't hurt.
A lot rests on the shoulders of Saints defensive coordinator, Gregg Williams at this point. The way in which he runs the defense on Sunday will be the deciding factor in who takes home the win.
The Indianapolis defense could struggle with defensive end Dwight Freeney not being at 100 percent after his ankle injury. If he does play, which the Colts say he will, he will most likely not play the whole game.
And then there is the running game, which the Colts are lacking in, ranking 32nd in rushing yards in the regular season. The Saints however ranked 6th.
Reggie Bush has been a surprisingly good asset to New Orleans in the postseason averaging over seven and a half yards per carry after sitting out for a long portion of the regular season.
Like everyone else, I expect a good offensive battle in this year's game, but I'm more interested in seeing what defense has what it takes to take home the Lombardi trophy.
In all honesty, I personally would like to see the Saints take home a Super Bowl victory; not only because they've never had one, but also because of the joy it would bring to the city of New Orleans who still suffer after Katrina.
Unfortunately, Peyton Manning and the Colts will put another ring on their fingers.
I do believe it will be a close game, 28-24 in favor of Indianapolis is what I'm figuring.
The Saints defense doesn't have what the Colts does, but stranger things have happened.
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