Super Bowl showdown
Colts deserve to be there for big game
David Veenhuis
Issue date: 2/1/10 Section: Sports
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The Indianapolis Colts have easily disposed of, arguably, the NFL’s two best defenses on their way to Miami, site of this year’s big game. They are only three years removed from winning Super Bowl XLI. And they have yet to lose a game this year in which their first team has played start to finish.
The New Orleans Saints breezed out to a 13-0 start, then fell apart when the Dallas Cowboys came calling in week 14. The Cowboys ran up 439 yards of offense at the Saints’ home dome and ended their bid for an undefeated season.
The Saints defense was dismantled again in the NFC Championship game.
This time it was the Minnesota Vikings’ offense that blew the roof the Superdome. Thanks to five Minnesota turnovers, the Saints escaped with a 31-28 win.
In a record setting performance, the Vikes outgained N’awlins 475- 257. The disparity in yardage was the largest by any loser of an NFL playoff game, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune.
The Colts have allowed 329 yards per game in their two playoff games and have allowed a total of 20 points.
Saints quarterback Drew Brees is slowly building a Hall of Fame career. He has thrown for more than 276 yards per game four years running. And he has topped 25 touchdown passes five times in his nine-year career.
Colts signal-caller Peyton Manning has topped 25 touchdown passes in each of his 12-years in the NFL. The Colts even have symmetry on their side. When they win Super Bowl XLIV, they will even up the win total at 22 wins for both the AFC and the NFC.
The Colts will win because they have a better defense. Both teams have high-powered offenses, but the Colts clearly have the edge at the game’s most important position, quarterback.
And they deserve to be there.
David can be reached at daveenhu@umflint.edu.
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