Lenny Pappano: Colts 38, Saints 24
I love the Saints – and I will be rooting for them tomorrow. But I just don’t see them winning. The Saints got lucky to beat the Vikings. (Yes, I’ve heard the analysts who claim the Saints defense created all the Vikings turnovers… sorry, but a fumbled handoff between Favre and Peterson had nothing whatsoever to do with the Saints defense). Every questionable call went the Saints way that day. And the fact is, the Saints have only played one good game (vs. Arizona) in the last month-and-a-half. Before that, the team finished the regular season on a 3-game losing streak. Now they face the Peyton Manning-led Colts. The Saints won’t get the gifts that Favre gave them two weeks ago. Manning is too careful with the ball. In the end, I’m afraid the game won’t even be close. Colts by two TDs. Call it 38-24 Indy. I hope I’m wrong. But this one has the feeling of a Colts blowout.
Jared Smola: Saints 31, Colts 28
To steal a line from my man Bill Simmons, the Saints will be operating under the “nobody-believes-in-us” premise on Sunday. No one is giving them a shot against the suddenly unbeatable Colts. But I think the Saints are just as talented offensively. And on the defensive side of the ball, I’d call it a dead-heat with Colts DE Dwight Freeney and CB Jerraud Powers banged-up. Sure, the Saints lost 3 straight to close out the season, but they also won 13 in a row before that. Then they dismantled a Cardinals team in the Divisional Round before sneaking by the Vikings to earn a trip to the Super Bowl. Of course, if you listen to most pundits, the Saints didn’t win that game as much as the Vikings lost it with 5 giveaways. But I’d argue that New Orleans won that game the same way they’ve won all year – by forcing turnovers. The Saints finished 2nd in the NFL with 39 takeaways. QB Peyton Manning is capable of turning the ball over – he did it 16 times this season. I think the Saints win the turnover battle on Sunday, and that’ll be enough to bring the Vince Lombardi trophy to a city that really needs it.
Jim Coventry: Colts 35, Saints 30
“Who dat say they gonna beat them Saints?” The Colts should be saying just that on Sunday. The Saints defense couldn’t stop the Vikings on their home field. Now they face a Colts offense that had 2 weeks to prepare for them – well, that’s almost unfair. Peyton Manning and company have been surgical in their assault on opposing defenses all season. They should be good for 5 TDs on Sunday. The Saints could take Reggie Wayne away, but Indy has plenty of options at their disposal to wear the defense down. The Colts have great defensive speed in their cover-2 scheme. They’ll certainly give up plenty of yards, especially to Marques Colston and Pierre Thomas. But the defensive speed will keep Drew Brees and his secondary options from the big plays they rely upon. Look for the Saints to settle for a few FGs instead of TDs. Those FGs will keep the great city of New Orleans from a much-deserved win.
Kevin English: Saints 41, Colts 38
In a game that will pin two premier QBs against two mediocre defenses, you can be certain there will be plenty of scoring in Super Bowl XLIV. But who will score more? The Saints come into Sunday’s showdown as slight underdogs, but injuries to several key Colts — Dwight Freeney in particular — could prove to be the difference maker. Drew Brees and the Saints potent passing attack should be able to take advantage of Freeney’s limited effectiveness, and pick apart a Colts secondary that could potentially be without CB Jerraud Powers. With all the weapons Brees has to work with, the Colts will struggle to matchup with the Saints multiple WR looks. Sure, the Saints don’t exactly have the best personnel groupings to matchup with the Colts, but they do possess an excellent CB/S tandem in Jabari Greer and Darren Sharper. Look for them to help keep Peyton Manning and the Colts passing game in check just enough to squeak out a last minute victory.
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