The New Orleans Saints continued their epic run in the 2009-2010 football season by beating the Minnesota Vikings in dramatic fashion in the NFC Championship Game. Despite the feel-good story surrounding Brett Favre, the Saints and the city of New Orleans seemed destined to make it all the way to the Super Bowl with their chants of “Who dat?” reverberating throughout the Superdome. Now the Saints must face perhaps the greatest quarterback in the history of the National Football League in Peyton Manning. Despite this daunting challenge, here are a few thoughts on why the New Orleans Saints will win Super Bowl XLIV.
Offensive attack
If the Saints win the Super Bowl, it will possibly be because their offense is able to outgun Peyton and the Colts. The Saints had one of the most potent offenses during the season, as New Orleans was able to mix the pass and run in such a way that defenses were always wondering how to adjust. Drew Brees has turning into one of the leagues most prolific passers and he is able to spread the ball around and move up and down the field very quickly. While the Colts also have a great offense, their defense is not necessarily stellar, which means that Brees may have some open looks in the big game.
Hunger
Another reason to go with the Saints is that the defense seems hungrier and more motivated to show that they can be a factor in the biggest game of the season. While the Saints have had some issues on defense throughout the year, there are some very inspirational figures and the “D” can put a fair amount of pressure on the quarterback in certain situations. Brett Favre was able to find his targets throughout the game, but he was also hit a number of times. By the end of the NFC Championship Game, Favre looked like a man who had been mugged.
Momentum and destiny
Destiny is perhaps too spiritual for football in certain situations, but the fans in New Orleans certainly believe in their team and the prospects of winning the Lombardi Trophy. Peyton Manning is perhaps the most focused football player in the league today, but the Saints will probably be the sentimental favorites to win the game. Fans do like a nice story, and with what has happened to New Orleans in the last few years, it would certainly be a fairytale ending if the Saints won it all. This does not mean that a victory is guaranteed because the game still has to be played. However, the Saints do seem to have something going for them, and they may very well be the team celebrating at the end of Super Bowl XLIV.