February 7th may very well be the day the Saints meet their holiest icon. I mean Peyton Manning can turn yarn into gold, part a sea of linebackers and even make the Red Zone blush. But despite his godlike abilities, he still has to show up and play the game.
In fact, Drew Brees played better than Manning this season, throwing more touchdowns with less interceptions. Yet there is this mystical aura around Manning that portrays him as invincible. Sure, he’s going to put up his share of points but that doesn’t matter. The number one reason why the Saints can win is that their NUMBER ONE offense can go point for point with Manning all day.
The Saints put up 31 against the Vikings, which are regarded as one of the best defensive units in the league. So what do you think is going to happen against the Colts run-of-mill squad? The Saints offense is so good they can beat you with the run or pass depending on the mood they’re in.
Unlike the Colts the Saints can actually run the ball well. They will use Pierre Thomas to run inside and Reggie Bush to get the screens and outside runs. Running the ball effectively is so important for the Saints in order to keep you know who off the field.
So we established that the Saints offense is better than the Colts but what everyone forgets is that their defense is better too. Led by potential hall-of-famer Darren Sharper their secondary picked off the opposition 3rd most in the league. He’s a game-breaker with 3 interceptions for TD’s this year. Whoever wins the turnover battle usually wins the game.
They also knock around the quarterback with their blitzing defense. Everyone says, “But Manning is so good at picking up the blitz.” True, but that’s what they said about Favre and Warner and they got their bell’s rung. During the Vikings game I felt like Adrian watching Rocky Balboa take a beating from Apollo Creed.
When the one-dimensional Colts take on the three-dimensional Saints they will face a well-rounded Special Teams. Reggie Bush is like Mount St. Helens, you never know when he will erupt. When you have two teams that are so evenly matched you have to look at which team has more game changing players. Kicker Garrett Hartley also has been great the last two seasons. 
After evaluating the three aspects of the game you need to evaluate the intangibles. Leadership can really make a difference in a big game. We all know about Gen. Manning but the Saints have good leadership as well. Drew Brees, Jonathon Vilma and Darren Sharper are veterans to help keep the team focused.
Another intangible is home field advantage. Even though the game will be played in Miami, the Saints should have support from the crowd as well. Reports say that Saints fans are buying up most of the tickets and hotel rooms. Probably because this is the Colts second Super Bowl in Miami in two years and the Saints first Super Bowl EVER. The stadium should not be short of gold and black come next Sunday.
Last but not least, the breaking news of today is that Dwight Freeney is has a torn ligament in his ankle. He is arguably the best defensive end in the NFL and even though he is going to play there is no doubt he will be hampered by the injury.
No one should be surprised if the Saints win this game. There are so many ways they can put of points whether it’s passing, running, a big special teams play or interception/fumble on defense.
Brees has the support around him, while Manning is like a hard drive with no backup.
My article can also be found in Stan Fichler's weekly column in the Daily Freeman.
My article can also be found in an upstate New York newspaper called the Daily Freeman under Stan Fischler's weekly column.
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