Mattie T’s Super Bowl XLIV Preview
Written by The Go-To-Man Mattie T. on February 4, 2010
Here are some fun tidbits about this year’s Super Bowl.
This will be the 10th Super Bowl played in Miami, with the AFC winning the last two games.
The New Orleans Saints will try to become the first NFC team to win a Super Bowl in the state of Florida since the San Francisco 49ers, who stomped San Diego 49-26 in Super Bowl XXIX.
This will also be the first Super Bowl ever to feature two domed teams.
Indianapolis’ Jim Caldwell will try to become just the 3rd rookie head coach ever to win a Super Bowl, following Don McCafferty & George Seifert.
Now, onto the game….
Super Bowl XLIV will present a fantastic matchup at quarterback, as the Colts’ Peyton Manning will aim for his 2nd Vince Lombardi trophy in 4 years against Drew Brees, who is responsible for the Saints’ top-ranked offense.
A big storyline all week has been the health of Indianapolis defensive end Dwight Freeney, who is questionable for Sunday with a torn ankle ligament injury that he suffered in the closing minutes of the AFC Championship Game.
If Freeney can’t go, then 8-year veteran defensive end Raheem Brock will see more playing time.
How much will the Colts trust their run game? Don’t be surprised if Indianapolis leans on Joseph Addai & Donald Brown more than usual against a New Orleans run defense that can be very vulnerable at times.
The Saints’ overall defense concerns me heading into the Super Bowl, as they have allowed 834 yards in two postseason games.
The Colts on the other hand, seem to be peaking at the right time. They haven’t allowed any 2nd half points all postseason, ran for over 100 yards on the Jets’ top-ranked run defense & also put up 24 unanswered points on the NFL’s best defense.
The key to this game will be whether the Saints can stop Peyton Manning in the red zone, as the Colts have converted on their last TWENTY-THREE possessions inside the 20.
I feel as if Indianapolis’ defense has the speed to contain New Orleans’ three-headed rushing attack of Pierre Thomas, Mike Bell & Reggie Bush, especially during screen plays to the outside.
I could very well see this being a high-scoring affair & quite possibly the most combined points ever in a Super Bowl game, but in the end Peyton Manning & his Colts will have just a tad bit more offense than Drew Brees & the Saints.
Mattie T’s Super Bowl XLIV Prediction: Colts 38, Saints 31.
