Indianapolis Colts vs New Orleans Saints
6:00pm EST at the Sun Life Stadium in Miami, FL
Anyone doing Super Bowl betting knows that this year's edition is all about the quarterbacks. Drew Brees and Peyton Manning terrorized opposing defences this year and when they go head to head on February 7 in Miami, FL expect fireworks.
The QB's
Peyton Manning was second in the league with 4,500 passing yards while only being sacked 10 times this year en route to his fifth, first-team All Pro selection. The four-time AP NFL MVP threw 33 touchdowns and only 16 interceptions to end the season with a 99.9 passer rating. Having already won a Super Bowl in the 2006/7 season, the 12 year veteran out of Tennessee will be counted on to lead the team on the field and off. Son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning, who played for the Saints, and brother to current New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, the game and position are in his blood. Manning's ability to pick apart defences has led him to be the third best statistical quarterback in league history behind Brett Favre and Dan Marino and will need all his skill against a team that had 26 picks on the season.
Drew Brees led the league in passer rating at 109.6 and passing touchdowns with 34 to be named to his fourth Pro Bowl team. Set the single season record for passing completion percentage this season at 70.1 percent in his fourth consecutive 4,000 yard season. Since being drafted, out of Purdue, Brees has never been out of the conference championship round in his nine years as a pro. Anyone with good betting management knows that this post season he has already passed for six touchdowns and a passer rating of 116.1, all without throwing an interception.
Manning vs Brees Big Weapon:
Reggie Wayne is a Manning's favourite receiver that can run every route and beat defences over the middle, on the sideline or going deep. He is a top five receiver in the league who amassed 100 receptions, 1,264 yards and 10 scored en route to his fourth Pro Bowl nomination. Was shut down by Derelle Revis last week but should rebound since there is no shutdown cornerback on the Saints.
At 6'4" and 225lbs, Marques Colston is a big and physical target for Brees with the ability to run past defenders. A former seventh round pick in 2006, he caught 70 passes for 1,074 yards and nine scores in the regular season and should have a big day against the Indy defensive backs who have an average height of 5'11.5".
Manning vs Brees X-Factor Player:
Pierre Garcon has hauled in 16 catches for 185 yards this post season for the Colts. A young but physical and fundamentally sound receiver is a great third option if Dallas Clark and Wayne are covered.
Devery Henderson is one of the fastest receivers in the league and is the Saints big play threat. Averaging 15.8 yards per reception on 51 catches, this season, he already has two touchdowns in the playoffs including a 44 yard reception against Arizona.
Manning vs Brees Recommendation:
While both are great quarterbacks, Manning has the experience and the more complete group of receivers in this game. Before you make your NFL picks remember; Brees has been known to be a bit of a gunslinger if he gets down by a couple scores and that can get quarterbacks into trouble, especially in the Super Bowl. As long as he keeps his passes away from the Saints ball-sharking defensive backs, Manning should become the first reigning MVP since Kurt Warner in 1999 to win the Super Bowl.
