Colts vs. Saints: Sunday Night Football Live Blog, Analysis & Reaction

When the NFL schedule was announced back in April, Sunday's tilt of the Colts and Saints on a Sunday night seemed like a great matchup. It is a rematch of the two team's epic battle in the Super Bowl two years ago. 

It also would have been a "homecoming" for Colts legend Peyton Manning. 

And most importantly, it was supposed to be a battle of two teams headed for the playoffs this season. 

Circumstances have taken over, and in a harsh reality, this game is now a matchup of teams playing for different things.

The Colts are currently one of two teams in the driver's seat for the No. 1 pick in the 2012 draft. I don't need to add to the speculation or hype regarding that somewhat controversial viewpoint. 

And sadly, it really isn't going to be much of a homecoming for Manning. He will likely be in the Superdome Sunday night, but much like Saints coach Sean Payton, he figures to be taking in the game from the coach's box upstairs and not on the field. 

That is the other intriguing factor coming into this game.

Payton will not be on the field, but in the press box calling offensive plays and relaying key game management decisions down to assistant coach Joe Vitt.

I don't remember an NFL team having to deal with this since I've been a football fan. The only time I've seen it at all is the numerous times in the past few years when Penn State legend Joe Paterno has done it.

Will it affect the Saints?

My guess is that it will not, especially in this particular game. But until they get into the game we cannot know for sure.

The Sunday night Superdome crowd promises to be nuts, even more than usual since it is a night game. The fans haven't seen their team play in a month and it seems to be a perfect storm for a Saints blowout.

But as always, that's why they play the game.