Superbowl XLIV preview

SUPERBOWL XLIV TO BE ONE TO SAVOUR!

This Sunday the biggest event, sporting or otherwise, in America will take place in Miami, Florida. Superbowl XLIV (44) will feature the Indianapolis Colts taking on the New Orleans Saints in a game that the American people, and NFL fans worldwide, have been looking forward to with baited breath since the AFC & NFC Championship games 11 days ago.

The Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints are the two top teams in their respective conference. Both teams have all-star quarterbacks in Peyton Manning and Drew Brees. It appears that this game will be a high scoring affair. However, the Colts will walk away from this game as Super Bowl Champions, and here is why:

Colts Have the Experience

The Colts have made the playoffs every year since 2002. However, they have only made it to the AFC Championship game twice since that year (not including this season).

Peyton Manning has been openly criticized for never being able to win the big game. However, he proved us all wrong in the 2006 season when he finally got the monkey off his back and captured that elusive Super Bowl ring against the Chicago Bears.

Now, with one Super Bowl under his belt, Manning is even more prepared to win his second ring. He’s been through it before and he will be ready for the emotional roller coaster ride that is a Superbowl against his home town team.

Even some of his team-mates, including Joseph Addai, Dallas Clark and Gary Brackett, were there for the 2006 Super Bowl win.

Drew Brees, along with many of his team-mates such as Reggie Bush, Marques Colston and Jonathan Vilma, have never experienced a Super Bowl. They will no doubt be hyped-up at the beginning of the game, but that intensity will fade as the game goes on and Manning will be more than capable of taking advantage of that.

Colts Have the Better Defence

Everyone knows Manning and Brees are capable of putting up some massive numbers. However, defence will ultimately decide the winner of this game. According to NFL.com, the Colts outranked the Saints during the 2009 regular season in yards allowed per game, passing yards allowed per game and points allowed per game. The Saints did beat the Colts in rushing yards allowed per game.

However, NFL.com is also reporting that Dwight Freeney may not be able to play in the Super Bowl due to a torn ligament suffered in the AFC Championship game. Without Freeney on the field, Brees would have a much easier time in the pocket and could carve up the Colts defence.

Indianapolis Colts: Super Bowl XLIV Champions

The Colts have it all, high-powered offence, experience and the talent to go all the way. The Saints are a very talented team, but the lack of experience will hurt them in this contest. The Saints could easily make a run next year, but this year belongs to the Colts, no matter how much people may want to see a New Orleans Superbowl victory after everything the city has been through in the last five years.

Wouldn’t it have been great, though, if neither team rested players in the regular season and we had two teams with 18-0 records going into this game? Then we really would be looking forward to a Superbowl for the ages.

Colts win 37-30