America's biggest sporting event is in a few weeks and the finalists are booked in. The Colts have been the poor man's Patriots for the last decade, and after a few years of 'they can't win the big one,' they've managed to win the really big one in 2007, and even a few other big ones in the process. They're a product of their city, coaches and most importantly, quarterback Peyton Manning: nothing fancy, hard working, and humble. But they'll put the dagger in when they want to. Unfortunately, they wussed out on a potential undefeated season the first time around againt the Jets, but managed to stop the New Yorkers' magical run with another workmanlike session on Sunday. They may not be the hard-as-nail Steelers of last year, but this Colts team just brings it each week with the lunch pail in tow.
On the other side is what may be America's Team for the next few weeks. From the city of decadence that has been hunbled in recent years, the Saints shed the 'Aints' moniker and paper bag-draped history to become a legit force in the league this year. Of course to get this far, they relied on a little luck, six Viking turnovers and another Brett Favre end-of-season disaster to lock in their spot, but hey, every team has good luck.
A few predictions in the leadup to February 8 in Miami:
- At every opportunity, I will watch 'Super Bowl highlights' on ESPN. My faves are from '67 through the 70s.
- Saints fans won't really know what to do with all this positive attention, so predictably, they will drown their happiness in all the fruit cocktails that South Beach has to offer
- Colts fans will have their milk and cookies...on the direction of Peyton
Media day will consist of way too many goofy reporters asking Saints players to do the 'Who dey' chant, then asking puzzled players what it means
- Jim Caldwell will offer insightful comments and crack jokes throughout the week about how Tom Moore looks like a grumpy old grandpa. No, Caldwell won't say anything interesting.
- Back in his college town with the cockiness of a two-time Super Bowler, Jeremy Shockey will be this year's off-the-field distraction
- Reggie Bush will have a turnover
- Pierre Garcon will score a TD and in celebration, whip out the Haitian flag
- Upon victory, Drew Brees will have that mole thing removed from his face, a la coaches shaving their heads after a championship
- Upon Colts' victory, Archie Manning and the fam will have to pack up and leave New Orleans
- Saints will invite New Orleans residents to the Superdome to all watch on a big screen - making it the first gathering of its kind since the hurricane aftermath and another sign of recovery for the city
- The halftime show with the Who will be entertaining, but leaving half of dimwitted Americans to go, 'who?'
- The hyped-up ads will be lame for the most part - with the exception of Bud Light. It's trying too hard syndrome at its finest.
- Tim Tebow's anti-abortion ad will go over like the Hindenburg, as it should
- Although most of America will be going for the Saints, a supposed underdog who are playing for a battered city - the Colts will win in another workmanlike performace. Peyton will be MVP and the world will be right.
- Immediately following the game, Jim Caldwell will get asked about giving up the chance to go undefeated - justifiably!
We can then enjoy an offseason of Mel Kiper, probably some criminal activity/scandal and months of speculation about Brett Favre. Can't wait!
To show how far the game has come, here's a video from I. The pregame show with jet pack man is not shown...
