Thursday, February 04, 2010

The Game We Wanted

Seemingly, every NFL season has a prominent NFC team and a prominent AFC team that appear destined to face each other in the Superbowl. Just about every NFL season has one or both teams taking an unexpected early exit in the playoffs.

Not this season. This time, we get the Saints and Colts that were dominant and even undefeated late in the year. This time, we get to see Peyton Manning vs. Drew Brees, Reggie Wayne vs. Marques Colston, Joseph Addai vs. Pierre Thomas, Dwight Freeney vs. Darren Sharper.

The sentimental choice of course, is the Saints. With them carrying the hopes of a whole recovering city on their back, and with them never having gone to the big game before, it's hard not to be happy for the team and New Orleans. They have the means to pull off the dream too. Drew Brees is a smart and accurate passer. He has plenty of weapons to throw to. Reggie Bush is a threat to score every time he touches the ball (admittedly, he is also prone to fumbling the ball too.) Their defense is quite underrated. They pummeled Brett Favre in the NFC Championship game and they are quite adept at creating key turnovers.

Then you have the Colts. They've been here before, they're experienced, tough, and explosive in their own right. This is a team determined to build a legacy as a winner. Had it not been for the incredible run by the New England Patriots in recent years, it would most likely be the Colts with the multiple Superbowl rings. Peyton Manning, time and time again, has shown an incredible ability to read defenses and find their weaknesses. He is one of those players who makes his whole team better. He is the face of the franchise and is the driving force behind the determination and dedication to their success. Their defense is quick and fierce and underrated like the Saints.

This has been the Colts' season. They are one step away from capping it off and being perceived as one of the greatest NFL teams of all time.

The only problem is, the Saints will win.