Silver and Black Report

Drew Brees versus Peyton Manning. Two great offenses dueling for the Vince Lombardi Trophy. One quarterback looking for immortality, the other looking to bring joy to an organization that has seen some horrid days. Super Bowl XLIV is sure to provide a lot of excitement.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

On Offense:

Sean Payton has had enough time to conjure up a game plan to counter what the Colts have been able to do on defense in these playoffs.

Brees has to be on his game, spreading the ball out via the pass to his receivers, tight ends and running backs in order to sustain drives and ultimately, put up touchdowns.

Since the Colts are speedy along their front-seven, the Saints should go try establish their presence along the trenches with their rush attack. Pierre Thomas and a Reggie Bush – who has gained life running harder in the playoffs – could have success bolting pass Colts’ defenders if the offensive line can assert themselves.

What to Expect:

Ultimately, its about how Brees can dissect Indianapolis’ secondary and whether or not Marques Colston, Devery Henderson or Jeremy Shockey can keep Larry Coyer’s defense off-balance. The Saints are too good not to rack up yards, but can it lead to touchdowns?

On Defense:

Gregg Williams’ defense will be under the gun this Sunday. Their main objective will be to rattle Manning, get into the pocket consistently and derail any chances of the great passer to getting in any rhythm with his targets.

The Saints have not been good on this side of the ball for a while and surrendered nearly 500-yards of total offense to the Vikings in the NFC Championship game.

Will Smith, Charles Grant and the rest of the front four needs to put the heat on Manning. If they blitz ineffectively, they’ll be picked apart quickly by an offense that looks to take big chunks of the field when defenses send an extra defender.

What to Expect:

The Saints may be able to surprise Manning early in the contest. But will they be able to diversify their attack enough to stay ahead of the keen passer? Jabari Greer and Tracy Porter will be unsung heroes if they can ground the aerial attack and slow down the Colts passing game.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

On Offense:

The Colts have not had much of a ground game, but when Manning is leading your offense and Reggie Wayne, Pierre Garcon, Austin Collie and Dallas Clark are playing at a high level, that’s enough to get you into a Super Bowl and win one against a defense that has not shown the ability to slow down opponents.

Joseph Addai could have an awakening on Sunday, especially out of the backfield where he is adept at making big plays as a pass catcher.

What to Expect:

Manning short, Manning deep. It’s either going to be a slow death, or an aerial display depending on how the Saints decide to attack. The Hall of Fame passer has enough patience and adaptability to manage his offense and then take advantage of any mistakes the Saints may make. If he’s beat up and made to move in the pocket, the Colts will struggle on offense.

On Defense:

Dwight Freeney’s status is vital. His ankle is ‘sore’ per the speedy defensive end, and if he can play and provide a little bit of a spark, that may be enough to give his defensive mates a boost.

Raheem Brock is a capable replacement if Freeney not able to get his full compliment of reps. “He’s very versatile,” Coyer said of the 6-4, 275-pound Brock. “He can stand up and play. He can get down [on the ground] and play. He’s got some traits.”

What to Expect:

The speedy front-seven of the Colts will be capable of corralling Bush’s ability to cutback and his prowess to get to the edges. But they could be susceptible to a power attack if the Saints just line up and run the ball up the gut with Thomas. If Freeney does not play, it will make Brees a happier passer and give him some more time to hit his receivers on longer routes.

GAME NOTES

• Both teams have split their 10 all-time meetings.
• Carrie Underwood will sign the National Anthem, while Queen Latifah will perform “America the Beautiful.”
• Brees was named Fed Ex Air NFL Player of the Year.
• Former Colts head coach Tony Dungy stated he, “would be absolutely shocked,” if the Colts lost.

KEY MATCH-UPS

Manning vs. Williams

Can the Saints defensive coordinator keep the quarterback guessing enough? If so, we’ll have an exciting Super Bowl.

Saints Marching?

The Saints need to control the game on the ground and keep the Colts offense on the sideline. If they can establish a ground attack and put up touchdowns at the end of drives, the upset will be accomplished.

PREDICTION

Colts 41 – Saints 27

MVP: Manning

GAME INFO

New Orleans Saints – NFC Champion – 13-3 regular season

Indianapolis Colts  - AFC Champion – 14-2 regular season

Site: Sun Life Stadium, Miami, Florida

When: February 7, 2010 Time: 6:25 pm ET

One more win – that’s all he needs.

An Indianapolis Colts victory march next weekend versus the New Orleans Saints will place Peyton Manning at the threshold of immortality.

There is no denying his excellence as a leader, a stellar passer and his jaw dropping efficiency during the regular season. But the post-season is where greatness is achieved.

Joe Montana catapulted atop of the list of the game’s elite signal callers on the strength of four Super Bowl victories. Johnny Unitas, the consensus standard in which all quarterbacks are judged by, orchestrated the Baltimore Colts offense from 1956-1972 and won two NFL World Championship and a Super Bowl crown in 1970.

Manning is one more step away from joining that group and in my opinion, putting a lot of distance between himself and the likes John Elway, Tom Brady, Terry Bradshaw, Roger Staubach, Troy Aikman, Brett Favre, Dan Marino or any other passer you want to throw into the mix.

As it stands right now, you can make the case that Manning is head and shoulders above many of those guys. But a win will undoubtedly cement that.

His resume is of historic proportions.

Manning is a four-time NFL Most Valuable Player, a 10-time Pro Bowl selection, 5-time first-team All-Pro, 3-time second team All-Pro and the Colts all-time leader in career wins, passing touchdowns, pass attempts and completions, and passing yards.

But more notable than all those iconic marks, is the consistency he has played with throughout his career.

Manning entered the league in 1998 and endured a 3-13 campaign as a rookie. Since, the Colts have won 128 games while he has been under center, with only one losing season (6-10 in 2001). Indianapolis has notched at least ten wins in 10 of his 12 campaigns since taking him with the first pick of the 1998 draft, recording 14 victories twice (2009 and 2005) and at least 12 wins in seven of those years.

He’s been in the playoffs on 10 occasions and in Super Bowl XLI against the Chicago Bears; Manning got his first ring and a Super Bowl MVP.

This Sunday, I believe he’ll get his second.

And for the passer that started since entering the league out of Tennessee, and every game since (192 in the regular season, 17 in the playoffs), aiming for Favre’s NFL marks for yards, touchdowns, completions and attempts is well within reach.

Manning has never had any major injuries, the Colts offensive line rarely allows him to get hit and his masterful way of playing quarterback and toying with defenses keeps his jersey clean year in and year out.

So no one is going to lose money predicting 5-to-6 more years of epic excellence. Especially when he averages almost 4,200 yards passing and 30 touchdowns a season.

Manning will have all the major statistical records if he plays long enough. I think he’ll have his second Super Bowl ring next Sunday night.

And when its all said and done, he’ll have his place as one of the three greatest quarterbacks in league history and be one the greatest players to ever don football pads.