NFL Kickoff Preview: Why Drew Brees Trumps Peyton Manning

With less than 24 hours 'til every football junkie gets his fix, it's time for a rundown of Thursday Night Football...

Are The Colts Ready?

The confetti has been cleaned up in Indy, and the team made some huge changes in the offseason.

They lost Dominic Rhodes and Cato June...but of course they still have Peyton Manning. And a dangerous defense.

And even though they had a terrible record in the preseason, they still won the Super Bowl.

(FYI: The Colts were terrible the last three preseasons...and it didn't seem to bother them.)

Are the Indianapolis Colts ready for 2007? They've got Joseph Addai and Marvin Harrison. They filled most of their holes on D. And again, they've still got Peyton Manning.

They’re ready.

 

Are The Saints Ready?

It’s been two years since 'Trina devastated the city of New Orleans, and no team in the NFL is more ready than the New Orleans Saints.

After an illustrious 2006, it’s hard to deny that the Saints are the smartest team in the league. They grabbed Drew Brees to be their field general, then drafted Reggie Bush. They also got the biggest surprise of last year’s draft in Marques Colston.

And oh yeah, their defense is pretty damn good too.

The Saints are intent on proving that last season wasn’t a fluke. Are the Golden Boys of the Big Easy ready for opening night?

When the Saints come marching in, they'll be looking to claim the title of "Greatest Show On Turf." They’re ready.

How the Colts Win

Peyton Manning has to be Peyton Manning. Addai needs to play as well as he did against the Patriots in the playoffs. Harrison needs to be dangerous—and don't forget about the backup plan in Reggie Wayne.

The defense will need to step up to contain Brees and Bush. The game will turn on the showdown between Manning and Brees—and Peyton is used to pressure. That’s why he’s still the leader in Indy.

The Manning-Harrison Express will be rolling in the Big Easy, but if the defense doesn’t step up, the Colts will be stepped on.

How the Saints Win

The best part about home field advantage is when the fans cause the stadium to sway left and right.

That's how they do it in New Orleans, anway. 

Expectations are high after the Saints fell one game short of the Super Bowl last year. The Saints were almost flawless in their first season back in the Superdome...and they could be completely flawless this season.

The team returns 95 percent of its starters, and has a dominating running duo in Bush and Deuce McAllister. In the air, expect to see the Colston-Brees Express chugging along the track to victory.

Add in possession receiver Robert Meachem from Tennessee and you could have some serious problems if you’re an opposing defense.

Bottom Line

Even with Addai, Bush, and McAllister doing their thing, it will come down to a shootout between P-Mann and Cool Brees. Whichever field general can lead his squad through the storm wins the battle.

The Colts are usually dangerous on the road, but they won’t be able to withstand the Hurricane Saints. Look for New Orleans in a tight one, as the Saints serve notice to the rest of the league that they're for real

Saints 38, Colts 30

Best of luck to both teams. And just in case no one asked the Bleacher Report yet:

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?!