Super Bowl XLIV: The Saints' Receiving Corp Will Decide the Game

The New Orleans Saints have more explosive play makers than the Colts, and their receiving corp will have a major impact on this game. We all know by now that sports competitions come down to which team has the most matchups in their favor. In this case, the Saints' receivers against the Colts' defensive backs is a win for the Saints.

The Colts have a myriad of injuries and are starting their third string corner back. Coming into the game, the Colts' defensive backs were feared. 

Let me emphasize the matchups here so you can get a clear picture of how they look:

Marques Colston 6’ 4”, 225 lbs.        vs.        Kelvin Hayden 6’ 0”, 195 lbs.
Devery Henderson 5’ 11”, 200 lbs.    vs.        Jacob Lacey 5’ 10”, 177 lbs.
Robert Meachem 6’ 2”, 210 lbs.       vs.        Melvin Bullitt 6’ 1”, 201 lbs.
Jeremy Shockey 6’ 5”, 251 lbs.       vs.        Antoine Bethea 5’ 11”, 203 lbs.
Reggie Bush 6’ 0”, 203 lbs.             vs.        Clint Session 6’ 0”, 235 lbs.

The first point I will make is you can’t coach 6’ 2”, 6’ 4”, and 6’ 5” receivers. These are imposing receivers to deal with against mostly shorter defenders.

The Colts do not run much man-to-man defense, so the matchups I outlined above will not be correct all the time. Any receiver that runs deep (past 15 yards) will have to deal with Antone Bethea and Melvin Bullitt, as the safeties have deep responsibility, which means they will see Henderson and Meachem most often.

The reason the Saints' edge is enhanced here is because Dwight Freeney is going to be limited, which will translate into less pressure on Brees. If he has time to throw, the receivers will eventually get open. The longer the play goes, the more it favors the offense, and I believe these receivers will have a field day. The Colts do not have anyone that can play with Colston if he is on his game, and Meachem has been a matchup problem for teams all season.

Meachem lines up in the slot when the Saints use three receiver sets, so that means he will be matched up with a linebacker or safety most of the time. This is a big mismatch and highlights the importance of the Colts' pass rush. If Meachem gets downfield and Brees is not on his back by the time he gets out of his break, it will be a long night for the Colts.

Shockey will be limited with his injury, but they will still have to account for him. Reggie Bush (the receiver, not running back) can play a huge factor in the passing game. If they put a linebacker (Clint Session) on Bush, there is no way he can cover him; if they try to cover him with a safety, he can sit in the middle of the zone between the linebackers and safeties to catch passes all day. The Colts will not be able to cover Bush with a corner because of Colston, Meachem, and Henderson.

Which one of those players would you decide to leave on your weakest pass defender?

If the Saints have their running game going, and the Colts are unable to generate a pass rush with the hobbled Dwight Freeney, then Peyton Manning will have to prepare for a shoot-out. People are going to say the Colts' receiving corp is just as formidable, but Darren Sharper has been in the league longer than Peyton Manning. Outside of Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark, the other two are young receivers who will make mistakes.

Sharper will take full advantage of this, as all he needs is one or two times for them to tip the play and he will be able to change the game. Wayne will get his catches, and I believe the Saints will be able to contain Dallas Clark enough to make Manning look for Collie and Garcon. If you compare both groups, the Saints clearly have the advantage, but a healthy Dwight Freeney would negate some of that. But at this point, it does not seem like Freeney will be able to play at his normal level, which will allow these receivers to make the plays they need to win this game.