So the stage is set. Super Bowl XLI – Colts vs. Bears.
I know that in the next two weeks, you will be saturated with views, opinions, and analysis from the big game, and I know that I am losing points for originality, but it’s my blog, so here we go:
Peyton Manning: Manning exorcised two demons on Sunday, beating the Mighty Patriots and their Golden Boy Quarterback Tom Brady in a game that actually mattered, and winning the ‘Big One’, albeit, not the biggest one. Does Manning revert to his ways of crumpling under the big game pressure, or does he play like a man who has nothing to lose?
What Happens? Toss the QB rating out the window. The fact is that, in this postseason, Manning for the most part, has moved the ball very well versus two of the NFL’s top ranked defenses. The Super Bowl will be no exception. Against a Bears defense that can at times, play a high risk, high reward style, Manning will be able to move the ball, keeping Chicago’s D off balance, setting up two or three big plays in the process.
Rex Grossman: As the saying goes, the Bears have gotten this far in spite of Grossman, not because of him. I mean, come on! 11 of 26 for 144 yards maybe good enough at home and on a sloppy turf, negating some of the Saints speed, but for the Bears to win, they are going to have to put up some points in order to keep pace with Indy’s high octane offense.
What Happens? Maybe in a year or two, but right now Rex is grossly in over his head and he’ll play like it. Not needing to respect the pass, the Colts will be able to stack the box, and thus be able to keep the Bears running game in check. All in all, the best option for the Bears offense may be to have Grossman fumble the ball forward, allowing one of the O-lineman the opportunity to fall on it for a Touchdown.
Colts Defense: Indianapolis’ defense has looked like that of the ’85 Bears in its first two playoff wins, and like that of the ’85 Buccaneers during most of the regular season. Truth be told, they are somewhere in the middle but New England showed that the key to success is spreading them out and keeping them off balance.
What Happens? In theory, great idea but the Bears O-line is geared towards more of a power run game and no one on the line is quick enough to handle the Colts Cyborg of a pass rusher, Dwight Freeney. Freeney will take up residence in the Bears backfield and if Chicago assigns either Thomas Jones or Cedric Benson to double him, they will be taking away Grossman’s safety valve on the dump off. The phrase, ‘Damned if you do, damned if you don’t’ comes to mind.
Bears Defense: Chiago’s defense is still very formidable, but injuries to Tommie Harris and Mike Brown have left this unit a shell the one that dominated the regular season’s first half. The Bears’ D has surrendered an average of 23.8 points over its last 6 games, compared to an average of 9.9 points over its first 7 games.
What Happens? Any defense that has Brian Urlacher leading the way will play hard but Urlacher’s responsibility in pass coverage will most likely will be Colts Tight End Dallas Clark and no one can stretch the field from the Tight End Position the way Clark can. That leaves Man Coverage vs. Pro Bowl Wide Receivers Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne. You do the math.
X-Factor: Devin Hester. Not since Dante Hall of several years ago, has anyone been able to dominate a game from the return position. Hester is sinister, breathtaking, and lethal.
What Happens? Hester takes one back all the way then returns another one past midfield. The Colts get wise and just kick it out of bounds the rest of the way.
Intangibles: The Bears that shuffled their way to a Super Bowl blowout win 21 years ago, much like the Steelers’ ‘Steel Curtain’ and the Cowboys’ ‘America’s Team’ Eras of the 1970’s and ‘80’s, captured the imagination of football fans throughout the U.S. That and the fact that the Colts were heated Divisional rivals to the home town Dolphins before realignment, will make the Bears distinct crowd favourites in Miami.
What Happens: Not enough to effect Manning’s play calling ability, in the least.
What Happens: Manning sheds the monkey from his back, but gains an MVP trophy and a trip to Disneyland, Archie is happy, and Eli grins nervously, thinking that he’d better get things going and fast.
Colts win 30-17.
Gotta Go, ‘Hardcastle & McCormick’ is on.
I know that in the next two weeks, you will be saturated with views, opinions, and analysis from the big game, and I know that I am losing points for originality, but it’s my blog, so here we go:
Peyton Manning: Manning exorcised two demons on Sunday, beating the Mighty Patriots and their Golden Boy Quarterback Tom Brady in a game that actually mattered, and winning the ‘Big One’, albeit, not the biggest one. Does Manning revert to his ways of crumpling under the big game pressure, or does he play like a man who has nothing to lose?
What Happens? Toss the QB rating out the window. The fact is that, in this postseason, Manning for the most part, has moved the ball very well versus two of the NFL’s top ranked defenses. The Super Bowl will be no exception. Against a Bears defense that can at times, play a high risk, high reward style, Manning will be able to move the ball, keeping Chicago’s D off balance, setting up two or three big plays in the process.
Rex Grossman: As the saying goes, the Bears have gotten this far in spite of Grossman, not because of him. I mean, come on! 11 of 26 for 144 yards maybe good enough at home and on a sloppy turf, negating some of the Saints speed, but for the Bears to win, they are going to have to put up some points in order to keep pace with Indy’s high octane offense.
What Happens? Maybe in a year or two, but right now Rex is grossly in over his head and he’ll play like it. Not needing to respect the pass, the Colts will be able to stack the box, and thus be able to keep the Bears running game in check. All in all, the best option for the Bears offense may be to have Grossman fumble the ball forward, allowing one of the O-lineman the opportunity to fall on it for a Touchdown.
Colts Defense: Indianapolis’ defense has looked like that of the ’85 Bears in its first two playoff wins, and like that of the ’85 Buccaneers during most of the regular season. Truth be told, they are somewhere in the middle but New England showed that the key to success is spreading them out and keeping them off balance.
What Happens? In theory, great idea but the Bears O-line is geared towards more of a power run game and no one on the line is quick enough to handle the Colts Cyborg of a pass rusher, Dwight Freeney. Freeney will take up residence in the Bears backfield and if Chicago assigns either Thomas Jones or Cedric Benson to double him, they will be taking away Grossman’s safety valve on the dump off. The phrase, ‘Damned if you do, damned if you don’t’ comes to mind.
Bears Defense: Chiago’s defense is still very formidable, but injuries to Tommie Harris and Mike Brown have left this unit a shell the one that dominated the regular season’s first half. The Bears’ D has surrendered an average of 23.8 points over its last 6 games, compared to an average of 9.9 points over its first 7 games.
What Happens? Any defense that has Brian Urlacher leading the way will play hard but Urlacher’s responsibility in pass coverage will most likely will be Colts Tight End Dallas Clark and no one can stretch the field from the Tight End Position the way Clark can. That leaves Man Coverage vs. Pro Bowl Wide Receivers Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne. You do the math.
X-Factor: Devin Hester. Not since Dante Hall of several years ago, has anyone been able to dominate a game from the return position. Hester is sinister, breathtaking, and lethal.
What Happens? Hester takes one back all the way then returns another one past midfield. The Colts get wise and just kick it out of bounds the rest of the way.
Intangibles: The Bears that shuffled their way to a Super Bowl blowout win 21 years ago, much like the Steelers’ ‘Steel Curtain’ and the Cowboys’ ‘America’s Team’ Eras of the 1970’s and ‘80’s, captured the imagination of football fans throughout the U.S. That and the fact that the Colts were heated Divisional rivals to the home town Dolphins before realignment, will make the Bears distinct crowd favourites in Miami.
What Happens: Not enough to effect Manning’s play calling ability, in the least.
What Happens: Manning sheds the monkey from his back, but gains an MVP trophy and a trip to Disneyland, Archie is happy, and Eli grins nervously, thinking that he’d better get things going and fast.
Colts win 30-17.
Gotta Go, ‘Hardcastle & McCormick’ is on.
posted by average john at 11:33 PM
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