Super Bowl 44

This Super Bowl match-up proves momentum going into the playoffs is overrated. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

So much for every "expert's" assertion that you have to be playing well going into the playoffs.

The Indianapolis Colts (two straight) and the New Orleans Saints (three straight) combined to lose five straight games going into the playoffs by an average of 12 points a game.

In the playoffs, however, the Colts have been dominant. They've allowed only 20 points in two playoff games while scoring a total of 50 against two of the best defenses in the league. Both Baltimore (16.3) and the New York Jets (14.8) were in the top three in scoring defense in the NFL, during the regular season.

New Orleans won convincingly in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, a 45-14 beat-down of Arizona, and then their ball-hawking harassed and confused Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings all game long. This led to five forced turnovers for a team that was second in the NFL in takeaways during the regular season with 39.

Prediction

This is the most excited that I've been about a Super Bowl in a long time.

Super Bowl 44 features two excellent offenses led by arguably the two best quarterbacks in the game today. Drew Brees and Peyton Manning have combined to throw 11 touchdowns with only one interception in the postseason, while also taking only five sacks combined - one for Brees and four for Manning.

Don't sleep on the defenses either, as both the Saints and the Colts get pressure on the quarterback and force turnovers.

Manning will be tested by Darren Sharper (nine interceptions, three touchdowns in the regular season) but, unless the Saints get pressure on him, he is going to have a field day.

The Colts defense (even if Dwight Freeney doesn't play - which he will), has dealt with injuries to it's top players all season long. From former Defensive MVP Bob Sanders, to losing starting corners; this team has persevered through injuries to their best defensive players for most of the season.

I beleive this will be an exciting game, with lots of points on the board and some key turnovers on both sides.

Peyton Manning is too good not to win this game. He is, in my opinion, easily the best quarterback in the last 10 years - if not the best of all-time.

Colts - 42

Saints - 38