Super Sunday

The Super Bowl is a national holiday. We find creative ways to step it up from the party of the year prior as long as we don't have a rooting interest.

As a New York Giants fan, Super Bowl XLII was way too emotionally-charged. Yes, it was one of the best sports memories of my life, but no Super Sunday should ever create that many heart palpatations.

I previously mentioned that this year's "Big Game" may have the best quarterback matchup of all time. Drew Brees makes the prototypical "no, no, no... yes, yes, yes" throw into the smallest of windows. Peyton Manning's audibles and precision will make any defense shudder-- even one led by safety Darren Sharper.

While the Saints defense is capable of imploding up front (watch out for a big game from the combination of Joseph Addai and Donald Brown), their main concern should be at the second level. Reggie Wayne, Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon (sorry for the lack of cedilla-- thank Blogger) are outstanding, intermediate route runners.

Moving to the other side of the ball, I don't understand why the Colts defense doesn't get more credit. Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis may be a top defensive-end combo in the history of the NFL. Rutgers product Gary Brackett is one of the league's most underrated middle linebackers. And even without Bob Sanders, the Colts secondary hasn't been totally exposed.

Beyond Freeney's health (that ankle may look as pretty as Brett Favre's doctor photos), there are two monstrous, head-to-head tilts that will decide this game.

No. 1-- Peyton Manning vs. Darren Sharper-- The best quarterback of this generation is going up against a top-five safety of this decade. Get your popcorn ready. We know Peyton will do his homework to the point that his eyes will be bloodshot from watching tape. Sharper has a sneaky tendency to cheat with his plant foot and the analysts have been quick to point it out. If Reggie Wayne can utilize the double-move, the Colts could score early off some misplaced Super Bowl aggression from the Saints D.

No. 2-- The Colts secondary vs. Devery Henderson, Marques Colston and Robert Meachem-- The Saints receiving core flies under-the-radar somehow, despite having some serious "wingspan guys." Colston was a seventh-round pick out of Hofstra (which no longer has a football program) and the "Who Dats" have been able to piece-meal this trio into a formidable crew.

There will be a lot of points in this game. It may be a case of whoever has the ball last wins this one. I hope, for the sake of the game, Dwight Freeney can lace 'em up.

Until he shows me a reason to think otherwise, I'll trust Peyton Manning to win another Super Bowl.

Super Bowl XLIV-- Indianapolis Colts 30 New Orleans Saints 24

Enjoy Super Sunday!