Super Bowl Will Come Down to the Wire: Who Will Win & Why

Last week, I was frightened that the New York Jets would topple Peyton Manning's Indianapolis Colts and shatter my hopes for Mr. Manning's second Super Bowl appearance. Gang Green went into the halftime break leading Indy 17-13 after two huge plays by Mark Sanchez propelled them to quick scores. But Manning asserted himself once again as the master of second-half adjustments, stealing the breath from the Jets just as the second half started. Rex Ryan's defense, which looked promising in the first half after having put Peyton on his back several times in the first two quarters, was powerless to stop the Colts pass attack. High class cover man Darrelle Revis, who covered receiver Reggie Wayne for most of the contest, could do nothing to help his teammates, who proceeded to get picked apart by the illustrious and meticulous Mr. Manning.

Once the Colts had gained the lead, the game was as good as won. No one is better than Peyton at extending drives by getting just enough inches to move the chains and running the clock down to only a few seconds before getting off the play he wants. Not only that, but Indy's defense, which prides itself on fast players that excel at rushing the passer and swarming to the ball, is meant to play with the lead.

It is because of Peyton's second-half magic and the speed of the Colts defense that Indy will claim their second Lombardi Trophy of the decade on Sunday. Colts defensive end Robert Mathis has said that fellow pass rusher Dwight Freeney plans to play despite a Grade 3 sprain in his right ankle; even at less than 100%, Mr. Freeney is such a force on the defensive line that his mere presence will draw the Saints game plan away from Mr. Mathis, who can thrive against a single blocker and will surely get to New Orleans signal-caller Drew Brees early and often. All the Colts defense has to do is buy enough time for Manning to get into rythym, for while he sometimes starts slowly he always finds his receivers in the second half.

As good as New Orleans is (and they are fantastic, having convincingly beaten a stalwart team in Brett Favre's Minnesota Vikings), they are playing in their first Super Bowl ever. It cannot be stressed enough how much pressure is being put on this team right now, despite the fact that they may well be the worse of the two teams competing in Miami. There is nothing left to help the Saints anymore. They are not at home (and are thus bereft of the full support of the "Who Dat" nation), they are playing outside (a stark contrast to the Superdome that they call home), and they are playing against the most consistent and playoff-hardened team of the decade. Their march stops on Sunday. Colts win, 30-24.