Sports

Manning vs. Saints' defense

By Jared Greenleaf GVL Senior Reporter
2/3/2010

In this case, looking at the Saints' defense against the Colts' offense, led by the great Peyton Manning, the expected winner will likely be the latter.

In his previous playoff matchup, Manning carved up the top-ranked New York Jets' defense, chucking the pigskin around for 377 yards and three touchdowns in the AFC Championship game.

Even with one of the worst running games in the NFL this season, Manning has proved why he may perhaps be the greatest quarterback of all-time. After wide receiver Marvin Harrison's departure and Anthony Gonzalez's season-ending injury earlier in the year, the Colts were left answering questions on how they would respond offensively.

Manning, however, has only flourished with the help of newcomer receivers Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon, along with the always-reliable Reggie Wayne. Though nobody knew of Collie and Garcon at the beginning of the 2009 campaign, their current success demonstrates Manning's uncanny ability to make the ones around him better.

So with the dangerous weapons Manning possesses, do the Saints really stand a chance against the methodical Colts' offense?

It will not be easy to say the least. The Saints ranked a mediocre 26th in the NFL in passing defense this season by allowing 235.6 passing yards a game. To make things worse, in their two playoff victories over the Minnesota Vikings and the Arizona Cardinals the Saints allowed a 284 average in terms of passing. Brett Favre and now-retired Kurt Warner were good quarterbacks in their own right, but Manning is on a different level.

Though the Saints struggled in pass defense, they have been able to rely on big play defense in these playoffs intercepting three passes and recovering four fumbles. The Saints have come up with big turnovers in their run to Miami, starting with Darren Sharper, who was a candidate for NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

For the Saints to have any chance against the Colts, turnovers, along with the their ability to force Manning into third-and-long situations, will be the deciding factor.

The Colts have been stellar all season on third down converting on almost 50 percent of their attempts, which does not bode well for New Orleans, but it's still one of the few ways to put pressure on Manning.

In what could be potentially one of the most explosive Super Bowls of all-time, it will likely come down to the Saints' ability to generate enough Manning miscues to give them a chance. If they cannot do so, then the night will likely culminate with Manning once again standing on the podium in Miami and being recognized as not just a champion, but as a two-time Super Bowl MVP.

jgreenleaf@lanthorn.com

Comments: