Super Bowl XLIV Prediction - Brian Becker
Brian Becker
Issue date: 1/27/10 Section: Super Bowl
The New Orleans Saints, and not the New Orleans Aints, are going to their first Super Bowl in franchise history. A franchise that is so used to losing has finally made it to the big game against the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV. The Saints ranked no lower than sixth in any offensive category and led the league in scoring putting up 31.9 points per game. We know Drew Brees and Marques Colston are going to get their stats, but an x-factor to watch for the Saints is Reggie Bush. He had a great game against the Arizona Cardinals in their first playoff game, having 217 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns. But against the Vikings in the NFC Championship Game he was ineffective running the football and only had two catches for 33 yards. He did catch a pass for a touchdown, however, he also fumbled in the game. The question is which Reggie Bush will show up, the one who played against the Cardinals or the Vikings. I believe Bush will play well against the Colts because the Vikings defense is much tougher than the Colts defense. The Colts on defense this season were fourteenth in passing defense and twenty-fourth in rushing defense. Also, it seems that the Saints head coach, Sean Payton, has finally learned how to use Bush effectively.
The Indianapolis Colts could've had a perfect season, but decided to rest their starters the last two weeks of the regular season. It was a controversial decision, but it has worked out so far because the Colts made it to the Super Bowl. Peyton Manning proved he was the best quarterback and the best player all season by winning the MVP award. The Colts have two solid yet young wide receivers in Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie, but Peyton Manning will be looking first to throw the football to his most reliable target, Reggie Wayne. Either Garcon or Collie will have to step up to take pressure off of Wayne for the Colts to have a chance. Both Collie and Garcon had over 100 yards receiving against the New York Jets in the AFC Championship game.
In the end, the two things that will most likely determine the winner of Super Bowl XLIV are, running the football and defense. The team that can run the football most effectively should win this game because you want to keep the football out of Peyton Manning's hands as well as Drew Brees'. Neither defense this year dominated the NFL, so it will be huge if either the Colts or Saints can force some turnovers. The Saints ran the football effectively throughout the season, ranking sixth in rushing. The Colts were twenty-fourth against the run. With Mike Bell, Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush sharing carries they'll eventually wear the Colts run defense down. Also in the playoffs thus far, the Saints have shown they can force turnovers.
New Orleans Saints 31
Indianapolis Colts 24
The Indianapolis Colts could've had a perfect season, but decided to rest their starters the last two weeks of the regular season. It was a controversial decision, but it has worked out so far because the Colts made it to the Super Bowl. Peyton Manning proved he was the best quarterback and the best player all season by winning the MVP award. The Colts have two solid yet young wide receivers in Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie, but Peyton Manning will be looking first to throw the football to his most reliable target, Reggie Wayne. Either Garcon or Collie will have to step up to take pressure off of Wayne for the Colts to have a chance. Both Collie and Garcon had over 100 yards receiving against the New York Jets in the AFC Championship game.
In the end, the two things that will most likely determine the winner of Super Bowl XLIV are, running the football and defense. The team that can run the football most effectively should win this game because you want to keep the football out of Peyton Manning's hands as well as Drew Brees'. Neither defense this year dominated the NFL, so it will be huge if either the Colts or Saints can force some turnovers. The Saints ran the football effectively throughout the season, ranking sixth in rushing. The Colts were twenty-fourth against the run. With Mike Bell, Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush sharing carries they'll eventually wear the Colts run defense down. Also in the playoffs thus far, the Saints have shown they can force turnovers.
New Orleans Saints 31
Indianapolis Colts 24
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