Most intriguing SB matchup

[Thick 'N Hearty]

Since we're out, I was kind of hoping for a N.O.-S.D. matchup because of the story lines: Payton in his first year as HC and the Bolts gave up on Brees. But, NE ruined that.

So what's the better matchup?

A rematch of the 1985 SB between Chicago and NE? I certainly don't think it would end the way it did 21 years ago.

Or the Colts and N.O. with their high-powered offenses. There would definitely be a lot of scoring in this one. Brees, Bush and the gang on one side with Manning, Addai, Harrison and Wayne on the other.

The other possible matchups – Chic. v. Indy or N.O. v. NE – really don't do anything for me.

 

[gollum]

Defense normally wins championships, but just for aesthestic viewing, Indy v NO would be entertaining to watch. Wonder what the over/under line would be?

 

[SuspectCorner]

you're right about NO vs. Indy. that would be very entertaining. likely a shootout and might set a record for combined points scored.

Chi vs. NE has plenty of potential to be a tedious 10-3 affair.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Defense normally wins championships, but just for aesthestic viewing, Indy v NO would be entertaining to watch. Wonder what the over/under line would be?

"defense wins championships" is so cliche... someone broke down the defensive stats and whatnot a few years ago and there was NO OVERWHELMING evidence that THAT was in fact true.... i dont have that research but surely someone else read or saw what I am referring too..

 

[AtlCB]

I see Indy beating the Saints in the superbowl. The Colts have been playing well vs. NE lately and I'm still not sold on the Bears.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

I see Indy beating the Saints in the superbowl. The Colts have been playing well vs. NE lately and I'm still not sold on the Bears.

Until Manning beats the Colts nothing else matters... he has been playing poorly in playoffs, relying on the run and defense(which is smart) but... what happens against NE... does he have his breakout game of this post season? not sure

 

[Thick 'N Hearty]

Until Manning beats the Colts nothing else matters... he has been playing poorly in playoffs, relying on the run and defense(which is smart) but... what happens against NE... does he have his breakout game of this post season? not sure

Not sure where you're going with that one.

 

[AtlCB]

Until Manning beats the Colts nothing else matters... he has been playing poorly in playoffs, relying on the run and defense(which is smart) but... what happens against NE... does he have his breakout game of this post season? not sure

Manning has beaten the Patriots the last two times they have played. Indy just beat a very good team on the road in the playoffs for the first time. I don't even think this game will even be close. The invincibility cloak is also off of Tom Brady. Did you see his performance against the Chargers? The Patriots also had problems stopping the run against the Chargers. The Colts will not need Manning to win the game on his own for them.

 

[es22]

Indy Vs NO would be sweet.

Manning playing his dad's team for the trophty.

I expect a wild game if we get this matchup.

 

[the kid 05]

Until Manning beats the Colts nothing else matters... he has been playing poorly in playoffs, relying on the run and defense(which is smart) but... what happens against NE... does he have his breakout game of this post season? not sure

why would manning want to beat the colts?

 

[Rampage]

Manning has beaten the Patriots the last two times they have played. Indy just beat a very good team on the road in the playoffs for the first time. I don't even think this game will even be close. The invincibility cloak is also off of Tom Brady. Did you see his performance against the Chargers? The Patriots also had problems stopping the run against the Chargers. The Colts will not need Manning to win the game on his own for them.

in the regular season, not in the post season. manning has thrown 5 picks in 2 playoff games this year. he can't beat the pats when it matters

 

[Echo9]

in the regular season, not in the post season. manning has thrown 5 picks in 2 playoff games this year. he can't beat the pats when it matters

but maybe Vinatieri can.

 

[Rampage]

but maybe Vinatieri can.

adam shanked 2 fgs last time they played

 

[gollum]

"defense wins championships" is so cliche... someone broke down the defensive stats and whatnot a few years ago and there was NO OVERWHELMING evidence that THAT was in fact true.... i dont have that research but surely someone else read or saw what I am referring too..

Mick...I don't recall seeing the stats, and this is by no means complete, but here's some data to dispute the "cliche" tag to that mantra. To me, a defense is more impressive if it prevents the opponent from scoring than merely by total yards allowed. I compared the two rankings for all Super Bowl winners(and losers) based on "defensive points allowed" and "yards allowed" (which is typically how the media ranks the top defensive team) and found the following from the past 40 Super Bowls:

The Super Bowl winner had a higher ranking in "Def points allowed" in 73% and a higher ranking in "Def yards allowed" in 70% of the games.
Of the 40 Super Bowl winners...
12 had the top defense in points allowed(30%) - 7 had the top defense in yards allowed(17.5%).
26 had a top 5 defense in point allowed(65%) - 27 had a top 5 defense in yards allowed(67.5%).
37 had a top 10 defense in points allowed(92.5%!!!) - 35 had a top 10 defense in yards allowed(87.5%).
The last time a team won a Super Bowl with a defense not in the top 10 in points allowed was the 1983 Raiders.

I think fans/media fall in love with the flashy offense, but more often that not, the team who plays the best defense wins.

 

[AtlCB]

in the regular season, not in the post season. manning has thrown 5 picks in 2 playoff games this year. he can't beat the pats when it matters

Based on what? When Manning was losing to the Pats in the playoffs, he was also losing to the Pats in the regular season. These two teams are now very different.