There's much more to this game than just the QBs
Footballs flying out of the hands of Peyton Manning and Drew Brees might be the focus of the 44th Super Bowl, but that won't be the only thing worth watching this evening.
The scrutiny of Colts defensive right end Dwight Freeney's right ankle will begin the moment he enters Sun Life Stadium. Freeney is one of the best pass rushers of his generation, but there is no chance he'll be at full strength after being unable to practice since suffering a severe sprain near the end of the AFC title game.
If Freeney is out or significantly limited, the Saints won't have to devote double teams to him in passing situations. Then they can focus on left end Robert Mathis, who had 91/2 sacks in the regular season but isn't as effective when Freeney isn't attracting the undivided attention of the offensive line.
Both teams want to be able to run the ball effectively, even if they don't do it all that often. The more effectively the Colts and Saints run the ball, the longer they can keep it away from the other team's offense. That might be the only way to keep either team from scoring at will because both defenses have been badly gashed by much lesser offenses.
Neither defense is very good - at least not in most statistical categories. The Saints "D" was 25th in the NFL during the regular season, allowing 357.8 yards per game. The Colts weren't much better: 18th in the league with an average yield of 339.2 yards. But both defenses have shown the ability to come up with occasional huge efforts.
The Saints forced 5 turnovers against the Vikings, and they held the high-flying Cardinals to 14 points in their playoff opener. But that was the only time in the last seven games their opponents didn't score at least 20 points. While the Saints allowed lots of yards and points, they also forced 39 turnovers in the regular season, second only to the Packers' 40. And the Saints don't settle for just taking the ball away - they scored 8 defensive touchdowns, including 3 by Pro Bowl free safety Darren Sharper.
The Colts have allowed a total of just 20 points in their two playoff games, but they allowed 90 in their last three regular-season games.
The Saints receivers excel at picking up big yardage after the catch. Three of their top five pass catchers - wide receivers Marques Colston, Devery Henderson and Robert Meachem - averaged more than 15 yards per reception this year. All three can get deep and all three are dangerous after the catch, as is running back Reggie Bush.
But, if there is an area where the Colts' defense excels, it's in preventing big pass plays. The Colts were a modest 14th in passing yards allowed, but they were No. 4 in average gain per pass allowed.
And, if the game comes down to a field goal, it'll be interesting to watch the kickers. The Colts' Matt Stover has been kicking in the NFL for 20 years, almost as long as Saints kicker Garrett Hartley, 23, has been alive. Stover has converted 471 of 563 field-goal attempts. Hartley is 22-for-24.