Saints have an advantage over the Colts in that they…
1. Have a balanced offensive game. At every position, the Saints have a legitimate threat. Marquis Colston, Devery Henderson, Robert Meachem, Reggie Bush, Pierre Thomas, and Jeremy Shockey are all capable of a big play as long as Drew Brees has the ball.
2. Are great against the long ball. Indy lives and dies by the ability to score through the air. They were third in passing touchdowns this season, while averaging less than one rushing touchdown per game. The Saints allowed less than one pass TD per game this season, and were 2nd in the NFC. If the Colts can’t throw to the end zone, they’re in trouble.
3. Have a strong backfield. Two safeties on the Saints were elected to the Pro Bowl, and the team was third in the NFL in interceptions this season. Opposing quarterbacks average a 58.2% completion percentage against the Saints, which is 2nd in the NFC. In games where Payton Manning has completed 58.2% or less of his passes, his record is 17-23.
4. Get to the quarterback. They may not register tons of sacks, but they punish quarterbacks. The Saints D-Line was on a mission last week to put Brett Favre on his back, and they did just that. They’ll do the same to Peyton Manning.
5. Have the ability to stop the Colts in the Red Zone. While both teams are in the top five in Red Zone scoring percentage, the Saints were third in the NFL with a 42.2% opponent Red Zone scoring percentage, while the Colts were not even in the top ten, behind the Raiders and Browns.
6. Can force turnovers. Only two teams this season turned the ball over less than the Vikings, and the Saints still forced five turnovers. As astonishing as that might seem, Gregg Williams has made a point to strip the ball and force interceptions: the Saints rank first in takeaways per game this season (3rd in interceptions, 1st in opponent fumbles lost). In 17 playoff games, Manning has thrown 18 interceptions, and the Saints certainly have the ability to take advantage of that.
Colts have an advantage over the Saints in that they…
1. Have the smartest quarterback to ever play the game. Peyton Manning is, in all sense of the word, a genius. With two weeks to prepare against a Saints defense that thrives on the ability to give opposing offenses different looks, who knows what Manning will have up his sleeve?
2. Are more experienced. In every roster category, they have at least one Super Bowl champion—quarterback: P. Manning; running back; J. Addai, o-line: J. Saturday; wide receiver: R. Wayne; tight end: Dallas Clark; d-line: D. Freeney; linebacker: G. Brackett; backfield: A. Bethea; special teams: Adam Vinatieri
3. Rarely turn the ball over. This year, the Colts were seventh in the NFL, averaging 1.4 givaways per game. The Saints rely heavily on getting key fumbles and interceptions, as evidenced by their win over the Vikings last week, where their five forced turnovers decidedly decided the game, and the Colts are certainly above-average when it comes to not turning the ball over.
4. They have a very strong D-line in Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney. I don’t know how effective they’ll be if Freeney’s ankle is bothering him on Sunday (and Brees has one of the cleanest jerseys in the NFL), but they’ll definitely have an impact on the game plan of Sean Peyton and the Saints.
5. Are not playing in the Superdome. I think the NFC championship difference maker was the home field advantage for New Orleans. Outside in Miami, Manning will be able to communicate a whole lot better than if they were in the Superdome.
6. PEYTON MANNING. Enough said.
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