More Satiation For Your Superbowl Craving

Well we are only one day away from the Superbowl and if these last two weeks have taught me anything you can never have too much coverage so with that I will commence the breakdown of every position for both the Saints and the Colts as well as give my prediction for the game.

Quarterbacks: Advantage Colts

Peyton Manning is the greatest quarterback in the game today period. There is no doubt in my mind. All the physical skills are there that make him the elite passer that he is. He is able to make throws that wide receivers salivate over. The amount of preparation that must go into his games is astounding and he just has moments where he is literally unstoppable. I used to call that the Kobe zone, where one player just zones in and become vicious to the opponent but I might have to change the name after this Superbowl. This is not saying that Drew Brees is not right behind Peyton as far as quarterbacks go and he is easily the second best player in the game but Peyton rules the field.

Running Back: Advantage Saints

There is no one on the Colts bench that will be garner as much attention when they are on the field as Reggie Bush will. Though not an elite running back in between the tackles; if you give Bush space to work, he is always a threat to take it to the house. Pierre Thomas provides an even more reliable runner as he has the versatility to run between the tackles as well as to the outside. None of the run games are elite but the Saints’ running backs will probably provide the most impact.

Wide Receivers: Push if not slight advantage to the Colts

Reggie Wayne is one of the top Wide Receivers in the game but even if teams try and only take him out of the game Peyton Manning has the ability to turn both Collie and Garcon into instant superstars at a moments notice. The Saints wide receivers are no slouches though as they provide Drew Brees with an abundant source of different targets to throw to. Marques Colston is Drew Brees’ security blanket as he has both the size and strength to go up and fight for every ball. Meachem has finally lived up to his first round pick billing as he provides mismatches with both his size and his speed for opposing defenders. Devery Henderson is also a huge threat to get lost behind the defense and take one to the house. Plus its really easy to just throw Reggie Bush in this group as well. These two groups are both fantastic.

Tight Ends: Advantage Colts

While Jeremy Shockey is always a threat to have an impact in the game, Dallas Clark is one of the best pass catching tight ends in the game today. He has developed such a good repertoire with Peyton Manning that he has become the first look for Peyton after Reggie Wayne and Manning’s outlet when the rush is on. You will also find him picking up and chipping on blitzers coming in as he is releasing for his route.

Offensive Line - Advantage Saints

The sheer size of the Saints line allows them to have success holding up against the rush and opening some holes for their runners. The interior linemen for the Saints should hold up fine but the big match up will once again occur on the left side of the line for the Saints offense if Freeney plays and how Jermon Bushrod is able to hold up against him.

Defensive Line - Advantage Colts

Speaking of Dwight Freeney, if and when he plays this weekend his and Robert Mathis’ responsibility will be to get to Drew Brees and make him truly feel the anxiety of the situation of playing on such a stage. The key to this game will be if they are able to slow Brees’ game down so that they can take the big play out of the Saints playbook.

Linebackers - Push if not slight advantage to the Colts

This is not a big strength for either team. Both teams have their core linebackers in both Jonathan Vilma and Gary Brackett. And it isn’t as if their supporting casts are liabilities or anything close, but it seems like this game may be won in the success of the men in the trenches.

Defensive Backs - Advantage: Saints

Jabari Greer and Darren Sharper will make an attempt to figure out the machine they call Peyton Manning or at least make his job a little bit more difficult. Both secondary players are ball hawking in their coverage, and while the Saints pass defense is not regarded very highly the one thing they do get is turnovers.

Special Teams: Advantage Saints

Reggie Bush once again is the X-Factor in this case as he is a threat to run one back at any point in time. Let’s just hope these kickers can do their jobs if it comes down to it..

Coaches: Push

The best coach on the field is definitely Peyton. Yes Peyton Manning, not Sean Payton. Peyton Manning is the key to the offense as he is the coach on the field and his ability to read the defense in real time is unparalleled by anyone else in the game. His relationship with the offensive coordinator Tom Moore is really what makes this offense and this team tick. On the other side of the field, Sean Payton is one of the best coaches at managing the game for his team and always has an ace up his sleeve. He studied at the elbow of one the greats in Bill Parcells and you can be sure that Payton will be bringing a few wrinkles to solve the Colts’ defensive speed and force Peyton Manning and the Colts offense into “breaking their serve” first.

My final prediction: Colts 35 - Saints 24