Defense key in Super Bowl XLIV
Both the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints have particularly exeptional offenses.
Will Hardaway
Issue date: 2/5/10 Section: Sports
Football's most cherished crown, the Lombardi Trophy, will be awarded this weekend to, simply, the team that decides to play the best defense.
The offensive potency of both the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints is undeniable, averaging 360 and 400 yards of offense in the regular season, respectively. So the question remains: who will be able to deconstruct the plans of Drew Brees or Peyton Manning? I sure as hell don't know. With the possible absence of Indianapolis' formidable defensive end Dwight Freeney, I'm inclined to think the extra seconds Brees could earn in the pocket would prove beneficial but, admittedly, I'm a little biased. You see, Drew Brees just happens to be a fellow Westlake High School alum. Furthermore, my sister is best friends with his sister. And get this-I've shaken the dude's hand and have indeed yet to wash that hand. So when you're watching the game on Sunday, feel free to tell your friends, "Hey, look! That's Will's best friend Drew Brees out there!"
Alright, that's enough.
How to spend the game? With a 5:25 p.m. kickoff time, the game has left us all in a predicament. Buy the large tray of chicken tenders from Chick-fil-A and hope it lasts the whole game or try to run out and get something at half time? The eternal question.
For those in a gambling mood, I have provided some necessary background. The teams have played three times in the last nine years with the Colts claiming victory in two of the meetings. In regular season statistics, the teams are strikingly similar: Manning threw for 4,500 yards and Brees threw for 4,300; Saints defense allowed 360 yards a game and Colts defense allowed 340. The only significant discrepancy is in the run game. With three threats in the backfield, the Saints averaged 130 yards a game this season. Joseph Addai led a nearly non-existent rush attack for the Colts, averaging 80 yards a game.
Also, if you're trying to make some real money, Vegas is only 1,200 miles away and the Colts are favored by 5.5 points.
The offensive potency of both the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints is undeniable, averaging 360 and 400 yards of offense in the regular season, respectively. So the question remains: who will be able to deconstruct the plans of Drew Brees or Peyton Manning? I sure as hell don't know. With the possible absence of Indianapolis' formidable defensive end Dwight Freeney, I'm inclined to think the extra seconds Brees could earn in the pocket would prove beneficial but, admittedly, I'm a little biased. You see, Drew Brees just happens to be a fellow Westlake High School alum. Furthermore, my sister is best friends with his sister. And get this-I've shaken the dude's hand and have indeed yet to wash that hand. So when you're watching the game on Sunday, feel free to tell your friends, "Hey, look! That's Will's best friend Drew Brees out there!"
Alright, that's enough.
How to spend the game? With a 5:25 p.m. kickoff time, the game has left us all in a predicament. Buy the large tray of chicken tenders from Chick-fil-A and hope it lasts the whole game or try to run out and get something at half time? The eternal question.
For those in a gambling mood, I have provided some necessary background. The teams have played three times in the last nine years with the Colts claiming victory in two of the meetings. In regular season statistics, the teams are strikingly similar: Manning threw for 4,500 yards and Brees threw for 4,300; Saints defense allowed 360 yards a game and Colts defense allowed 340. The only significant discrepancy is in the run game. With three threats in the backfield, the Saints averaged 130 yards a game this season. Joseph Addai led a nearly non-existent rush attack for the Colts, averaging 80 yards a game.
Also, if you're trying to make some real money, Vegas is only 1,200 miles away and the Colts are favored by 5.5 points.
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Llano Hardaways
posted 2/18/10 @ 2:25 PM CST
Just read the pre-super bowl article. Fun stuff! Impressed with your ability to "not-predict" the outcome!
Let us know your next trip to New Orleans to shake hands with Mr. (Continued…)
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