New Orleans Saints vs Indianapolis Colts @ Miami, FL
Super Bowl 2010 Odds: Colts -5.5, Over/Under 56
When the Saints and the Colts hit the field for the NFL Championship game in Miami this Sunday, there is a good chance that it will be a high scoring affair. Two big time offences will be attack two defences that are not highly ranked and should be able to put up points easily, especially after putting up big numbers against some of the best defences in the league already this offseason.
Primetime Performers
Saints: The New Orleans Saints have been carried on the arm of Drew Brees to their first Super Bowl in franchise history. Posting the second best passer rating, 109.6, since 2005 in route to his best statistical season , this Purdue product lead the league in touchdowns with 34. He has an offensive line that boasts three Pro Bowlers and a talented group of receivers that allows him to spread the ball all over the field. The Austin, Texas native has never been out of the conference championship round of the playoffs, in his nine year career, but one can be sure he will still make a lot of noise on Sunday at Sun Life Stadium.
Colts: Peyton Manning is at the top of the game at reading and reacting to the defence before the ball is ever snapped, leading to a league best 4,500 passing yards in the regular season. Not known for scrambling or avoiding the rush in any manner besides sliding around in the pocket, the Colts QB was only sacked 10 times this year. Tom Brady finished second in that category with 16 and Brees was brought down 20 times. Having already won a Super Bowl in 2006, the four time AP NFL Most Valuable player knows how to deal with the pressure and intensity of the big game.
X-Factors
Saints: Reggie Bush has been on a tear in the post season, making big plays in each of the Saints' post-season games. Not only is he a threat on the ground but he is an accomplished receiver out of the backfield. Those looking for betting tips should know that with the Colts giving up close to 100 yards receiving to running backs over their two playoff games, none of which had the skill of Bush, there is the strong possibility of Reggie adding to his post-season totals of 149 combined yards and two touchdowns.
Colts: All-Pro wide-receiver Reggie Wayne should make up for below average numbers in the Conference Championships with a monster day for the Colts. Even though Peyton Manning put up great numbers last game, he only connected with Wayne and tight-end Dallas Clarke for seven receptions and 90 yards combined. These were per game numbers that each of them would put up during the rest of the season. This does not bode well for the Saints defence.
The Matchup
Before making NFL picks know that in their respective conference championship games the two teams combined for 574 yards and 6 touchdowns through the air en route to 61 total points against the number one and fifth ranked defences in the league of the Jets and Vikings. When the Colts and Saints meet at Dolphin Stadium, they will bring the 18th and 25th ranked defences, respectively, and this means that the record 75 points, set by San Francisco and San Diego in 1995, for highest scoring Super Bowl could be in jeopardy when these high powered offenses hook up this Sunday.
Pick: Colts
