If you think you have seen the highest scoring game in the NFL playoffs thus far, think again.
This Sunday in Miami, Fla., when the NFC champion New Orleans Saints take on the AFC champion Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV, arguably two of the NFL’s most prolific offenses will be on sports biggest stage, prompting nothing less than an offensive shootout.
With two of the NFL’s most efficient and effective quarterbacks at the helm, scoring won’t be the problem.
Defending these fast pace, run and gun offenses is the true dilemma.
When the Super Bowl kicks off, the Colts will use their hasty and agile defense to try and contain the Saints’ lethal passing attack and big play threats. The Colts are eighth in the league in scoring defense, only allowing 19.2 points per game. The Saints, who are first in points scored (31.9) and yards per game (403.8), will attempt to exploit the minor weaknesses of the Colts defense through big-play receiver Marques Colston and the ever so dangerous Reggie Bush.
On the other hand, the Saints defense, which ranks 20th in the league in scoring defense and allows 21.3 points per game, ranking 25th in yards given up (357.8), will have a tougher test against the NFL’s Most Valuable Player, Peyton Manning.
One thing the Saints will count on is causing turnovers, as they forced six turnovers in the NFC championship game against the Minnesota Vikings.
Manning will certainly be comfortable in the familiar site of Sun Life Stadium, where he lead his team to a 29-17 Super Bowl XLI victory over the Chicago Bears three years ago. Not only will he be comfortable, but confident as well. Manning has been brilliant throughout the playoffs with a 67 percent completion rate, throwing for 623 yards and six touchdowns in two games.
When Manning’s go-to guy Reggie Wayne was locked down by the New York Jets’ all-pro corner Darrelle Revis two weeks ago, rookie Brigham Young University standout Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon each picked up the slack and had great games.
Wayne will probably be matched up against up and coming corner Jabari Greer in the Super Bowl, with Saints’ all-pro free safety Darren Sharper helping out. If Greer and Sharper manage to shut down Wayne, then Collie and Garcon may have to step up just one more time.
Saints’ quarterback Drew Brees, who is still sweating from New Orleans’ 31-28 overtime win against the Vikings two weeks ago, hopes his playmakers will continue to get the job done.
Running backs Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas have combined for 205 yards and two touchdowns over the past two games. The Saints’ passing attack is what really has carried the Saints though, as Brees has thrown six touchdowns with no interceptions for 444 yards and a completion rate of 64 percent in the playoffs. Brees has also connected with five different receivers for touchdowns over the past three weeks.
"You understand just how explosive their offense can be," Manning said. "I think you have to be careful trying to get out of your rhythm in order to keep up with them. You still have to go play offense the way we have played all year, trying to be efficient.”
The Saints may be ailing as stars tight end Jeremy Shockey, free safety Darren Shaper and linebacker Jonathan Vilma are still nursing minor injuries from the NFC championship game.
Each was bothered by knee injuries two weeks ago, which was apparent in the game. Nonetheless, the three have progressed in practice throughout the week and may possibly be 100 percent by Sunday’s big game.
Even bigger news for the Colts — Dwight Freeney, arguably the best defense end
in the NFL, is still recovering from a torn ligament in his right ankle. Freeney’s absence would be a big blow to the Colts; however, Freeney has said the pain is subsiding and he hopes to play Sunday.
Family and hometown ties will be present on Sunday, to say the least. Manning faces his hometown team that his father, Archie, once quarterbacked. Archie played and still lives in New Orleans, which is also where Peyton played high school ball.
"New Orleans is a huge part of my life, as well as (his brother and New York Giants quarterback’s) Eli's life," said Manning. "My dad's been a part of the Saints organization for 39 years in some ways. We definitely have strong ties."
Wayne, Manning’s go to guy, also grew up in the Big Easy and Colts running back Joseph Addai suited up for Louisiana State University during his college career.
One thing is for sure: You won’t have a problem being entertained during this Super Bowl.
Whether it’s watching Manning hit Collie in stride, Reggie Bush running back a kickoff or even the talented Carrie Underwood singing the national anthem, Super Bowl XLIV will be one you cannot miss.
Kickoff is set for 6:25 p.m. on Saturday and the game will be televised on CBS.