New Orleans Saints vs Indianapolis ColtsFebruary 7th, 2010 @ 6:00 PM EST on CBS

Miami, FL Sun Life Stadium

 Point Spread- Colts (-5) (57) over/under

Injury Issues- Colts (DE) Dwight Freemey (Ankle)- Questionable, (CB) Jerraud Powers (Foot)- Questionable, Saints (RB) Lynell Hamilton (Ankle)- Questionable

  The biggest football day of the year is finally upon us. Super Bowl XLIV is a match-up of two excellent offenses with both team defenses at a bend , but don't break status. The news leading up to the game has been the status of Dwight Freeney and his injured ankle. It looks as if he will give it a go, but I don't see his playing status altering the game very much either way. The Colts seem to find a way to overcome defensive losses and the ability of both of these offenses should limit the defensive success for either squad. A win for the Colts would continue to pave the way for Peyton Manning to reign as the best quarterback ever. The Saints look for their first championship in team history lead by a high-powered offense. Both teams are filled with good guys and it makes it very hard to root for either side if you don't have a personel interest in either team. Making this a game that should be enjoyed by the masses no matter what the turnout, unless you have money on either side of the match-up. As always we here at Touchdown Dance will breakdown each match-up advantages for this game.

1. Quaterback (Colts)- Both quarterbacks are playing at the top of their games, but Peyton Manning is quite possibly on his way to being the best quarterback to ever play the game. With Manning you have a player that allows the Colts to never be out of the game no matter what the other team is able to put on the scoreboard. The mastery of the Colts offense is beyond compare along with having an uncanny ability to have a special connection with any receiver who may put on a Colts uniform.
2. Running Backs (Saints)- Both teams love to pass the ball, but the Saints are by far the more balanced team. Plus, the Saints have a very good three headed monster that can chew up chunks of yards. With Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell who run the ball very well between the tackles and then throw in the "old USC" Reggie Bush which gives the Colts an awful lot to think about. If Bush can duplicate his Divisional round performance it may give the Saints the edge they need to come out victorious.
3. Wide Receivers (Even)- The Saints have a deeper corps, but the Colts group could not be more in tune with their quarterback or their offense as a whole. Reggie Wayne tweaked his knee a bit this week, but should be fine for the game. He is the best receiver in this game and the progression of two young receivers (Collie & Garcon) has been remarkable. The Saints group of receivers is very dangerous which can strike in multiple ways. Marques Colston's size and body control make him the perfect red zone target and the speed of Robert Meachem and Devery Henderson stretch the best of secondaries.
4. Tight Ends (Colts)- I like Jeremy Shockey I really do, but Dallas Clark is the most dangerous player at this position throughout the whole league. Clark's versatility to line-up in multiple spots in various formations makes this match-up difficult for the average at best Saints linebackers.
5. Offensive Line (Even)- The Saints have more individual talent along the offensive front, but the Colts group works with a QB with a quick trigger who has the best offensive mind since Bill Walsh. The Colts line will be attacked a bit more today as the Saints will try almost anything to put a hit on Manning. While the Saints line catches a break with the Freeney injury.
6. Defensive Line (Even)- Before that freak ankle injury to Freeney this match-up would have swung the Colts direction. Both sides are now rendered average and have their work cut out for them. Manning has the keen ability to make quick adjustments as the play goes on and reads defenses better than any quarterback in the league. Drew Brees is playing at the top of his game and also has a firm grasp on the Saints high powered air attack. Any sacks or hurries could be key is helping either team coming out on top.
7. Linebackers (Colts)- I like the Colts group much better here. Not only do they have more talent individually, but they have a little less to deal with in the passing game as the Saints use more of the outside 1/3rds of the field. Gary Brackett is a good MLB with the Colts possessing excellent speed at the other two spots in Clint Session and Phillip Wheeler. The Colts backers will need to keep the Saints running backs from chewing up a bunch of yards to ensure a championship victory.
8. Secondary (Saints)- Both groups will be tested often on this day as Manning and Brees will do their best carving jobs. I lean to the Saints on the premise of experience and talent. The Saints secondary group has been incredibly opportunistic all season long and when healthy do a good enough job of covering and tackling to keep their team in the game when it counts. The Saints corps has their work cut out for them, but I have more faith in Greer, Porter, Harper and Sharper than I do the younger more beat up Colts group.

 Touchdown Dance Super Bowl XLIV Prediction

Indianapolis Colts- 37     New Orleans Saints- 35