Underdogs Once Again, The New Orleans Saints Will Win The Super Bowl!

Most NFL experts, pundits and prognosticators share the inexplicable opinion that the Saints cannot possibly win the Super Bowl against the invincible Peyton Manning.  There's just no way, they say, that the Saints can keep up with Peyton Manning.

Before I go into my rant, let me be clear that I do respect Peyton Manning's body of work, but he is no Drew Brees.  What can I say, my parents encouraged me to think independently, and the statistics show me that Drew Brees is the superior QB.

The experts say that Peyton is perfect and Brees is just "good."  Well, let's see — Brees led the NFL with a QB efficiency rating of 109.6, TD passes with 34, completion percentage of 70.6 (NFL record), and the Saints are in the Super Bowl representing NFC as its first seed.  Manning's stats, although stellar as usual, just don't match up.

They say Manning has won a Super Bowl, so this will just be a repeat for him.  I disagree.  The Saints have played four Super Bowl QBs this season, Eli Manning in week 6, Tom Brady in week 12, Kurt Warner in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, and Brett Favre in the NFC Championship.

In games vs. Super Bowl QBs, Drew Brees is 4-0 and exhibited his All-Pro superiority.  In those games he's averaged 295 yards per game, thrown 15 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, while completing 69.75% of his passes.  It is clear that Drew Brees is an elite NFL QB.  His opponents in those games, by the way, have thrown a total of two touchdowns and seven interceptions, and the Saints winning with an average margin of victory of 19 points!

The story on the defensive side of the ball is just as compelling.  The Saints ended the regular season second in NFL in turnovers with 39, first in defensive touchdowns scored with eight, second in red zone defense, and first in interception return yards.

The defense gets no love because of the yards allowed statistic that the NFL uses to rank defenses.  The Saints defense ranks 25th with 357 yards allowed per game.  This statistic is by far the best reason the Saints have been so dominant and yet still under the radar.  No matter, the proof is in the pudding.

In the playoffs, that stingy defensive style of play has continued and the Saints lead postseason teams with seven turnovers.  Their unapologetically aggressive, ball hawking ways has elevated the Saints to the Super Bowl.  Against the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Championship, it was the defense that carried the Saints to victory.

The Super Bowl is likely to bring more of the same.  Peyton Manning did throw 16 interceptions in the regular season and he will throw one, maybe two, in the Super Bowl.  He will get pummeled early and often, while the Saints control the clock with the NFL's sixth ranked rushing attack.

Call me a blind fanatic if you like, but considering the statistical facts, I think the Indianapolis Colts are outclassed by the New Orleans Saints in every aspect of the game — including Special Teams.  And that 32nd ranked rushing attack of theirs is going to be what does them in.  Manning cannot win this game by himself.  I have no idea what everybody else is looking at.

Expect to be entertained but don't be shocked when the Saints emerge victoriously and Drew Brees hoists the Lombardi Trophy on Sunday night.  And since I'm not the type to say "I told you so," just remember that I did.

Who Dat Say Dey Gon Beat Dem Saints!?