Saints-Colts: Super Bowl Preview

The New Orleans Saints are going into their first Super Bowl feeling relieved. The NFC Championship was a tie game in the last 40 seconds. It looked like the game was over.

I thought to myself, "I don't want to watch the Vikings play against the Colts in the Super Bowl."

But then, seconds later, Brett Favre scrambled right, threw across the middle, and was picked by Tracy Porter. Porter ran back to the 50 to send the game to overtime.

The Saints should have been up by five touchdowns by that point, but they couldn't capitalize on any of the Vikings' turnovers. 

Saints vs. Colts

The Saints are looking to create history, while the Colts are looking to repeat history.

The Saints are entering the game as the slight underdog. Their game-changing players are Reggie Bush, Jeremy Shockey, and Darren Sharper. 

Reggie Bush is the most dynamic player in the NFL and is able to generate yardage in many ways. Jeremy Shockey is capable of having a 100-plus receiving yard game, while Darren Sharper fires up the team with his big hits.

The Colts' game changers are receivers Austin Collie, Pierre Garcon, and Dallas Clark. Peyton Manning's confident play is unwavering, so the question is whether his receivers' hands will be.    

The Saints need to come out fired up, led by Drew Brees' team pump-up session. The battle in the trenches will be extremely crucial. If the Colts play without a healthy Dwight Freeney, it will allow the Saints' backfield to receive rather than pass protect. The Colts' linebackers are going to have to use their speed to keep up with the deadly Reggie Bush.

On the other hand, if Peyton Manning gets good pass protection, the pass will be extremely hard to stop. When the Colts get in rhythm, their shotgun becomes unstoppable, especially when Peyton is playing for his second ring.

Pick: Saints 27-24