Super Bowl 44 Preview- New Orleans Saints vs Indianapolis Colts

Both the Saints and Colts have fast and dangerous weapons on both sides of the ball, and how they match up against each other will decide Sunday’s outcome and determine the world championship. It’s safe to say that both teams haven’t played a more proficient offense than they will face this week, so let’s break things down.

With Dwight Freeney likely being limited to the point where he won’t be a factor on Sunday, other members of the small but speedy Indianapolis defense need to step up if they want to slow down the New Orleans attack. The explosiveness Reggie Bush showed in the divisional round against Arizona can’t be ignored, and the Saints will try much harder than the Colts to try and effectively run the ball rather than just using it as a change of pace to the passing game. Pierre Thomas is a power runner that could and will give the Colts problems because of his size. 

Minnesota did a good job of holding the Saints in check and would be in the Super Bowl right now if not for a slew of the most ill-timed turnovers I have ever seen in a playoff game.

“For the Colts, I’d say watch DEs Robert Mathis and Raheem Brock, LB Gary Brackett and S Antoine Bethea.” ESPN Senior Analyst Chris Mortensen told SprungOnSports.

Mathis is going to receive a ton of attention with Freeney limited, but Raheem Brock has the experience on the other end to cause some disruptions and get to Drew Brees despite the strength of the Saints offensive line. Gary Brackett and Antoine Bethea are the guys Jim Caldwell relies on to be everywhere at the right time. Whether on an odd-man blitz going after the QB or in coverage against a TE like Jeremy Shockey or David Thomas or one of New Orleans’ lethal slot receivers like Lance Moore or Robert Meachem, Brackett and Bethea will be called on to get the job done. They’re the unsung, speedy players that fuel this Indianapolis defense. 

In addition to Moore and Meachem, guys like Marquis Colston and Devery Henderson are so dangerous. Colston is a possession receiver who has the ability to stretch the field, and Henderson is a straight up burner. But when asked about what statistic surprised him the most going into Sunday’s game, The Football Scientist didn’t hesitiate to praise the Indianapolis cornerbacks who have the unenviable task of covering the Saints receiving corps.

“The Colts CBs YPA.” KC Joyner said, referring to the amount of yards a Colts CB allows every time the ball is thrown his way. “I did an article for Insider showing that they have multiple CBs with low YPA totals. I’m not saying they will shut down the Saints but don’t be shocked if Indy’s CBs replicate the Vikings performance.”

Brees threw for just 197 yards against Minnesota two weeks ago, but for 6.4 yards per attempt, which isn’t great but is far from terrible. The Colts secondary will be put to the test against the Saints receivers, but it’s a test they can definitely pass.

If there’s one thing that stands out from New Orleans’ win over the Vikings besides for the turnovers, it was the ability of the Saints defense to get after Brett Favre and knock him down consistently. If they can do that against Peyton Manning and disrupt his legendary rhythem, Bourbon Street will be celebrating late Sunday night.

Manning was able to figure out what the Jets were doing on defense as the first half ended, heavy blitzes and press coverage, and ripped a hole in New York’s vaunted defense in the second half en route to a 30-17 win. But Scouts Inc senior writer Matt Williamson told SOS, New Orleans has a great shot to get pressure if they scheme wisely on Sunday.

“Blitzing 18 (like the Jets did) isn’t such a great idea, but he has had more problems when defenses bring 6-which the Saints will surely do at times.” Williamson said.

New Orleans’ front seven is severely underrated led by Will Smith, Johnathan Vilma and Scott Fujita and will be able to get pressure, enabling a secondary led by Jabari Greer, Tracy Porter and Darren Sharper to have good coverage on Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie.

“The Saints trust their secondary much more than many ‘Experts’ seem to realize.” Williamson said. “So, I think Manning gets hit. Probably gets sacked a few times. But he doesn’t nearly take the beating that Favre did.”

So what kind of damage will this Saints defense be able to do on Sunday? 

“Projecting two sacks and a few more hits-and at least one huge play by Manning against a big blitz.” Williamson said. ”Also realize that Manning isn’t bashful about laying down in the pocket when a sack in inevitable instead of allowing himself to get blasted.”

Manning will get rattled a bit, but everything in the NFL is based around adjustments, and the chess match that will be going on during the game will be something to look for during the Super Bowl.

Prediction- Indianapolis 31 New Orleans 24
MVP- Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis.
Defensive MVP- Gary Brackett, LB, Indianapolis