Colts vs. Saints: a showdown in Miami

Super Bowl XLIV brings out two of the best quarterbacks that the NFL has to offer. Peyton Manning, the leader of the Indianapolis Colts potent offense, looks to win his second Super Bowl in just 4 years. Drew Brees is looking to get his first as he carries the New Orleans Saints into the Super Bowl for the first time in team history.

The Colts give Manning a number of weapons on offense with some of the best receivers in the game, including Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon. Garcon is actually a former standout at Norwich University and Mount Union, both Division 3 schools. Manning also has another huge target: tight end Dallas Clark. Clark needs to come up big for the Colts as he is often overlooked as possibly the biggest receiving threat the Colts have.

The Saints offense, led by Drew Brees, is a little bit more balanced as they have not only solid receivers, but big time play-makers in the backfield. Running back Reggie Bush always has the potential to come up with explosive gains. Bush isn't just a factor running the ball, but can line up in the slot as a receiver, and also is very dangerous returning punts. Pierre Thomas is another threat the Saints have in their backfield. Thomas stepped up his game big time near the end of the season.

Brees has a reliable teammate in tight end Jeremy Shockey. Shockey isn't just responsible for catching passes and blocking, but he is good at getting into the defense's head. He's also been known to be a little mouthy and doesn't ever back down.

The Colts have one of the best defensive ends in the game in Dwight Freeney. Freeney has a great combination of speed and strength, and will either bull rush offensive linemen into the backfield or beat them around the outside with his speed.

Darren Sharper, the Saints big hit, big play free safety will need to keep Manning in check in the secondary. Sharper is the veteran for the Saints' defense and leads not just with his words, but also with his hits. He will fill gaps very hard, often producing bone crushing tackles.

Both teams are very evenly matched with high scoring offenses. My pick goes to the Colts with a score of 34-24