This game has the potential to be an all time classic. As to whether or not it becomes that, no genius or betting service can predict that, even though they’ll tell you they can. You’ve got two outstanding quarterbacks, who are going to be difficult to shut down. The biggest “X” factor in this game, no doubt, will be the health and availability of All-Pro defensive end Dwight Freeney( 13.5 sacks this season). I think you'd have to break both his legs, to keep the Syracuse ( you knew I wasn’t leaving that out) alumnus out of this game. He is feared by opposing quarterbacks and offensive linemen, due to his lightning speed, and in particular, his legendary “spin move”, which looks exactly like it sounds. Freeney ( 6’ 1, 268 pounds) spins himself past bigger linemen, with his speed and strength. With a torn ligament in his ankle, he hasn’t been able to practice this week, but with him being the best defender on either team in this game, I would bet that he’ll start the game, and hope that the Indianapolis training staff can sufficiently tape his damaged ankle, to allow him as much mobility as possible. The Hartford native has been rehabbing this week by walking in the sand on the beaches. Freeney and Pro Bowl defensive end Robert Mathis are as good a 1-2 punch as pass rushers, as there is in the NFL. If Freeney is unable to play, or has to leave the game, Mathis might be switched over to Freeney’s side, with defensive tackle Raheem Brock filling in as Freeney’s replacement.
The two quarterbacks alone, are worth the price of admission for this showdown. ( the halftime show with “The Who”, should be mentioned as well.) The Saints Drew Brees, led the NFL, with a 109.8 passer rating, and threw for 4,388yards and a league best 34 touchdown passes. New Orleans led the NFL with 31.9 points per game. Peyton Manning torched the NFL’s best defense, the New York Jets, for 377 yards and three touchdowns. The Colts wide receivers, Pierre Garcon, and Hamilton Ontario native Austin Collie, combined for 274 yards against the Jets. If that’s not enough, The Saints will have to keep their eyes on the Colts best receiver, Reggie Wayne, and tight end Dallas Clark. New Orleans best defender is probably very well known to Peyton Manning. Just like the Colts quarterback, the Saints cornerback Jabari Greer, is also a University of Tennessee Volunteer alumnus. He limited Brett Favre’s favorite target, Sidney Rice, to 43 yards in the NFC championship game.
The health of Colts rookie cornerback Jerraud Powers, is also a concern. He had surgery on his left foot after the Indianapolis playoff win over Baltimore. However, Powers was quoted this week as saying “ …There’s no doubt in my mind, that I’ll be out there Sunday.” Aside from Drew Brees, the Cots will have to duplicate what they did against the Jets, by limiting the Saints ground game, featuring running backs Pierre Thomas, and Reggie Bush.
Peyton Manning is as good as it gets, when it comes to dissecting a defense. With all the weapons the Colts have in their passing game, and a decent enough ground game,with running backs Joseph Addai, and Donald Brown,the Saints defenders will have their heads spinning. Conversely, the Indianapolis defense did a great job against the Jets, so I don’t think they’ll be mesmerized by Bush and Thomas. The Colts have been much better against the run, especially in the playoffs, because they have bigger interior defensive linemen this season, than what Tony Dungy had, which is the biggest difference in the team, under rookie head coach Jim Caldwell.
Where the Colts have excelled for many years, under the leadership of team President Bill Polian, is finding players who can fill in for an injured teammate. Replacing Dwight Freeney is not realistic, because he is so dominant. However, the Colts have managed their way through injuries previously. When you consider that Indianapolis has recent Super Bowl experience, and the fact that this is the first time for New Orleans, nerves could be a factor working against the Saints. I fully expect that the New Orleans defense, will have trouble with the talented Indianapolis receivers, so I am counting on the Colts, to beat the Saints by 35- 24.