2010 Super Bowl Betting Line: New Orleans Saints (56.5) vs. Indianapolis Colts (-5.5)
For the first time in 16 years, the NFL’s ultimate game will feature the top two seeds from each conference when the NFC’s New Orleans Saints meets the AFC’s Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV on Sunday, February 7th in Miami. All three of the Colts previous Super Bowl appearances have been in Miami while the long-suffering Saints franchise is playing in the game for the first time.
The two franchises have split ten regular season meetings since the Saints became an NFL franchise in 1967. In the last meeting between the two clubs, the Colts rolled to a 41-10 home victory over New Orleans in the opening game of the 2007 season.
New Orleans Saints (15-3 SU, 9-9 ATS)
New Orleans was fortunate to escape the NFC title game after being out gained by more than 200 yards against Minnesota. With the help of five Vikings turnovers, the Saints have finally reached a Super Bowl. Star quarterback Drew Brees has fired six TD passes without an interception in the postseason. He led the NFL in quarterback rating and touchdown passes during the regular season. The Saints are also able to move the ball on the ground after ranking second in the NFC in rushing this season.
The defense (25th in NFL in total defense) will be in for a major test against Peyton Manning after allowing nearly 500 yards to the Vikings offense. The Saints defense did pick off 26 passes during the regular season. Head coach Sean Payton has put together a record of 38-26 in his four seasons with New Orleans.
Indianapolis Colts (16-2 SU, 12-6 ATS)
The Colts are hoping that the karma of Miami will enable the franchise to win its third Super Bowl title. Indianapolis rolled to a pair of double-digit wins in the AFC playoffs to reach the Super Bowl. Like Brees, NFL MVP Manning has had a strong postseason with five TD strikes and just a single interception. The Colts have plenty of receiving weapons to work with. Veterans Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark each grabbed 100 catches in the regular season but youngsters Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie were the main targets against the Jets in the AFC title game.
While the Colts (last in NFL in rushing offense) don’t run the ball too much, Joseph Addai was able to rush for 80 yards against the Jets. The unheralded Indianapolis defense finished 8th in the NFL in scoring defense during the regular season. The unit has allowed an average of just ten points per game in the postseason. With a combined 23 sacks, Pro Bowl defensive linemen Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis will be seeking to disrupt Brees and the Saints offense. In his first year as an NFL head coach, Jim Caldwell has proven himself to be a worthy successor to Tony Dungy after being an assistant on the Colts staff in recent years.
2010 Super Bowl Prediction:
Colts 31 – Saints 27 Super Bowl Predictions: Colts vs. Saints Super Bowl Picks 2010
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