By JON WEBB and ASHLEY SCOBY
GLASGOW — Scoby’s pick
Winner: Saints
Why?: For the last four years, the team I’ve actually wanted to win the Super Bowl has lost, which is probably a bad sign for the Saints.
And although I picked the Saints objectively (or somewhat objectively), it’s still who I want to win this game. Everyone has talked about how Peyton Manning needs to win a second ring to cement his status as an NFL legend, but how much more could he really ask for? He already has a Super Bowl, four MVP titles and he’s about to be the highest-paid player in the league.
But how about the other quarterback? Anybody remember Drew Brees? He’s been on fire in the playoffs, throwing zero interceptions and managing a passer rating of over 116. This season, he has a higher completion percentage, more touchdowns and fewer interceptions than the 2010 MVP, and although he’s not throwing to Reggie Wayne, he’s sure making Marques Colston look good. The Hofstra product is averaging 15.3 yards a catch this year, compared to Wayne’s 12.6. Make no mistake, though – Wayne will get his yards, as he’s going up against Labrari Greer who was limited most of the season with injury, and Tracy Porter, who’s a second-year player.
Of course, we can’t underestimate the (possible) absence of Dwight Freeney. The superstar defensive end will attempt to play, and in a game of this caliber, I think he’ll end up on the field at least some. The problem will be how affected he is by the torn ligament in his ankle. Since he’s playing a position where footwork is so important, you have to wonder if he’ll be able to turn the corner the way he usually does and cause commotion in the backfield. If not, Brees will be significantly more comfortable in passing situations and will get a better chance to run the Saints’ dynamic offense.
And finally, I hate to be the sentimental girl here, but what fan base better deserves a Super Bowl than the Saints’ faithful? Not to say that a fan base’s worthiness could determine a Super Bowl champion, but their lungs could definitely help sway it one way or another in tight situations. Have no doubt that New Orleans’ most rowdy fans will be out in full force in Miami this weekend.
After Hurricane Katrina, nobody would have ever dreamed this team would be playing for an NFL championship. After years and even decades of having virtually no playoff success, the Saints are suddenly right where they want to be and are playing with a chip the size of Louisiana on their shoulders.
Their desire to be in Miami this Sunday can’t be underestimated.
Webb’s pick
Winner: Colts
Why?: I will be the cold, heartless boy here: the Colts will crush New Orleans’ spirit and beat the Saints on Sunday.
I don’t necessarily want this to happen. Like Ashley said, New Orleans and Louisiana could use a memory that doesn’t involve more than 1,500 dead citizens.
In fact, I would love to see New Orleans win, but for reasons that are petty, childish and a little too embarrassing to air out in print.
But I’ll do it anyway.
I grew up in Indiana and witnessed my fellow Hoosiers virtually ignore the Colts until 1999. I don’t remember seeing anyone wandering the streets garbed in a Jim Harbaugh or Marshall Faulk jersey. Football fanaticism was, according to my limited memory, scant at best.
And then Peyton Manning got good.
Since finishing a frustrating 3-13 rookie campaign that saw the Louisiana native toss 28 interceptions, Manning has thrown for more than 25 touchdown passes each season and led the Colts to at least 12 wins every year. As Manning improved, so did the chances of coming face to face with annoying faux-fanatics with white 18s emblazoned across their blue-mesh chests.
Any improved team will take in some bandwagon fans. It’s unavoidable and completely understandable.
But these people didn’t just hop on the bandwagon. They repeatedly ran over your head with it. They prattled on about Manning’s greatness and uttered things like “if he only had a defense.” They worshipped at Tony Dungy’s soft-spoken feet and when the Colts won the Super Bowl in 2007 ... God, did they do doughnuts in their cars.
Being a bitter non-fan, I didn’t take this well. I don’t dislike any of the Colts’ players, but I would love to see them fall short so I could watch their fans’ smug, blue-painted smiles melt away.
But it won’t happen for several reasons.
1.) For all the talk about the Colts’ bend-don’t-break defense (one of those oft-repeated, pre-Super-Bowl critiques that makes you want to turn off ESPN forever), the Saints’ seems more pliable. New Orleans ranked 26th in stopping the pass during the regular season, and barely bested the Colts in run D. The Saints do boast regular season interception king Darren Sharper, but Manning’s ability to hit multiple receivers should equalize Sharper.
2.) The Saints have one thing over the Colts: a running game. But if the Super Bowl plays out like I think it will, with quick scores from Indianapolis, New Orleans’ rushing attack will become a non-factor and force Brees to go head-to-head with Manning. Yes, Brees is great, but defeating Manning in a one-on-one contest would be akin to John Henry out-driving the steam-powered hammer. And even if Brees succeeds, we all remember what happened to John Henry in the end.
3.) A Colts win has to happen, or those aforementioned faux-fanatics may lose their minds. Indy fans badly wanted their team to go 16-0, but instead watched the New York Jets stomp the Colts’ junior varsity and relegate the Colts to a 14-2 regular season mark. Those two losses will only be forgiveable if the Colts win on Sunday.
And I suppose such a win wouldn’t be so bad. I may find the fans annoying, but I’m sure some of their fanaticism is genuine. Take my father, for instance. He truly believed Colts head coach Jim Caldwell deserved to be fired after the week 16 fiasco. He is a man who cares deeply about his favorite team, and I shouldn’t wish him ill because of the actions of his fellow fans.
So I guess I hope the Colts win. I’ve only predicted three postseason games correctly, and Indianapolis has been responsible for two of them.
Here’s hoping that come midnight on Monday, the Colts pick up their seventeenth win and I pick up my fourth.
If only for the sake of my fanatic father.
