Super Bowl Preview: Have We Overhyped The "Big Game" Too Much?

It's Super Bowl Sunday and the only thing I want to do today is watch anything but the game itself.

For the last two weeks, I've watched several sports networks break down this game to the point where I think the square route of pi is Peyton Manning throwing a touchdown to Reggie Wayne.

Now there's no way I'm going to get away with not watching the game today but I don't know if I've seen this much hype over a Super Bowl game in quite some time.

Was there this much hype over last year's game? While the answer might be the same, the big game didn't include two of the game's biggest quarterbacks. But who becomes the biggest when this game is all said and done?

Drew Brees carries not only the city of New Orleans, ravaged by hurricane katrina, and not only the entire state of Louisiana but also the University of Purdue who will be rooting for their alumni on this day. Make no mistake, there will be a party that is unlike any that has ever been seen in New Orleans if the Saints can pull off the improbable.

Then there's Peyton Manning, the crafty veteran and the one that's been here before and won. He's arguably the best quarterback in the NFL and he knows what it takes to win a game like this. He's continues to show, year after year, that his consistancy and leadership makes the Colts a Super Bowl favorite year in and year out.

If we're going to break down this game, we may as well start between the two quarterbacks.

• QB Rating: Brees (109.6) - Manning (99.9)
• Completion Percentage: Brees (70.6) - Manning (68.8)
• Passing Yards: Manning (4500) - Brees (4388)
• Yards per game: Brees (292.5) - Manning (281.3)
• Touchdowns: Brees (34) - Manning (33)
• Interceptions: Brees (11) - Manning (16)

But with a game like this, you throw out every statistic either of these quarterbacks have put up so far this season. The game starts 0-0, the teams are 0-0, it's one game for the biggest prize in this industry.

Where the game is going to be won, however, is not on offense but on defense. The Indianapolis Colts gave up almost 20 points per game (19.2), 8th in the NFL while the Saints weren't much better giving up 21.3 points per game.

The Saints will win if...

They can put continued pressure on Peyton Manning and keep him off balance. Don't let Manning get into a passing rythm against your defense. Keep Manning and the offense off the field and keep them from getting too far ahead. Stay in the game and you might have a chance come the fourth quarter.

Drew Brees can put points on the board early and keep the Saints ahead of the Colts. Make smart passes, don't force into double coverage and make good decisions. Spread the ball around and keep the Colts' defense off balance. Mix the pass in with the run, give Reggie Bush a chance to make something happen.

The Saints will lose if...

They allow Peyton and the Colts to get too far ahead. If you allow Manning to keep the offense on the field and continued to put points on the board, they could get too far out in front.

They can't move the ball against the Colts defense. The Saints can't afford to continue to not move the ball and keep their defense on the field.

They lose the turnover battle. Interceptions and fumbles will kill any momentum Brees and the Saints can get.

The Colts will win if...

Manning continues to shred the New Orleans defense with his arm. Keeping New Orleans' defense on the field and wearing them out is going to be key for the Colts to stay ahead and allow themselves some cushion in case of a Saints comeback.

They key in on the Saints running game. Keep Reggie Bush from become a factor in the game and force Drew to beat them with his arm.

The Colts will lose if...

They lose the turnover battle, though that seems to be an argument in just about any game. If Manning struggles and can't get into his usual roll, it could give the Saints momentum.

The defense can't keep New Orleans from moving the ball. They don't want to keep exchanging scores with the Saints because it will come down to who has the ball last and if the Saints have it last, they will hoist the Lombardi Trophy.

Prediction...

Manning has been there before and knows what it takes to win a game like this. Though the Saints have a comepetive team, the Colts in the end will be too good on this day.

Colts 34  Saints 24