by Joe Guenther

Created on: January 29, 2007   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

We head into Superbowl week with the Indianapolis Colts a solid 7 point favorite to win the big game over the Chicago Bears. There are several interesting story lines that we will sort through to get to the eventual champion.

The first is the coaching match-up between the Colts leader Tony Dungy and the Bears top man Lovie Smith. Lovie Smith was groomed to be a head coach by Dungy while in Tampa Bay and they created the "Tampa Two" defense together. They share similar coaching styles and philosophies and similar walks of life. The biggest difference between the two is the personal relationships built with the players on their respective teams. Lovie's players love playing for him and he has done a great job, but Dungy and his team have shared tragedy together and that has solidified them as a unit. The Colts have set records together, played longer together, lost big games together, and last year had to watch their leader loose his soon right before the playoffs. While no team needs anymore reason to play hard than to be in the Superbowl there is intestinal fortitude that comes with caring about people and what the Colt's have been through over the years as a team stands head and tails over what the Bears have gone through since Lovie Smith arrived.

The second is the Colts Offense against the Bears Defense. At first shot the logical thought is to go with the Colts offense since it has been so prolific for so long, but not so fast. The reason the Colt's have so much success on offense is because of their Tight Ends, namely Dallas Clark. Since their 3rd receiver Brandon Stokely went down Dallas Clark has effectively been a Tight End and Slot receiver. It breaks down like this. If the Bears stay in their base "Cover Two" formations the Colt's will motion Clark out to create a One on One match-up with a Bears Safety or Linebacker. Most teams aren't equipped to match up with this and that combined with the fact that the Bears top Safety Mike Brown is on IR seem to give the Colts a major edge. What most experts have forgotten is that last off season the Bears acquired Ricky Manning Jr. for just that purpose. Manning played well against the Saints last week and is tough against the run, plus has a history of having big games in the play-offs. If Manning and the Bears Nickel defense can play consistent against the run which I think they can, the Colts offense will be in for a long day.

The Third Story Line is the Bears Offensive Line against The Colts Defensive Line.

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