Super Bowl Prediction

Ok. So, it is time to relieve the suspense that has been killing you as you await my super bowl prediction. Having basically called it right on the money for both conference championship games, I now turn my eye to the grandest of all games. The bowl of all bowls. (And, yes, that is me to the left in my Peyton Manning jersey. I wore it in to work today, much to the chagrin of my boss. I knew he was hesitating about such "unprofessional" attire, so I dressed up the jersey with a shirt and tie!)

Down to business: Look for the Bears defense to try to throw some different looks at Peyton Manning and the Colts' offense. To come out with a lot of intensity. How will the Bears respond to the perpetual "checking" that Peyton does at the line of scrimmage? Urlacher says that Peyton just does this to "screw with people's heads," and that he and the rest of the Bears defense is not worried about it. Ok, we know that isn't true. Surely behind the scenes the Bears defense is developing a strategy for dealing with Peyton Manning. The thing is that they don't know Manning and how he runs an offense. It is truly revolutionary the way Peyton does things in Indy. The AFC defenses have had some time to adjust and get used to it, but the big question mark, I think, is whether or not the Bears defense will get caught by surprise when they actually have to stare in the eyes of Peyton and listen to him change up the plays at the line of scrimmage. Peyton has played with a lot of the same guys for years, particularly his star receivers, Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison. These guys are all in sync on the Colts' offense. But how will the Bears respond??? That's one of my big question marks.

I predict a slow start, which favors the Bears. As the game progresses Peyton will begin to move up the field and get some field goals and touch downs.

How is Grossman going to react? That is the big question. If he falls apart, then its game over.

The AFC is arguably the stronger conference, which favors the Colts. Ok, it ain't even arguable.

The Colts are hungry, and they are more tested and mentally strong after getting handed some bitter losses in the AFC playoffs. Will the Bears be that hungry? Or will they be a little wide-eyed, since they are the younger team?

Are these the two "most serious teams" to ever play the super bowl? Cowherd suggests that the Colts are quiet and business-like. The Colts are "milk and cookies" athletes, at least compared to other teams. Perhaps it is an over-statement to say that these are the two "most serious" teams, but it is true that these teams are a bit more centered than, say, T.O. and the Cowboys.

Quoting the Colts' head coach Tony Dungy:
“We really talked more in terms of what we wanted to accomplish,” Dungy said. “We talked about representing the city of Indianapolis and we talked about preparing ourselves for a football game. I think if we have those things in mind, we really won’t have to worry too much about the temptations.
“We did talk about some of the things that have happened to other guys the week of the Super Bowls, but that’s something we talk about all the time. I have a lot of faith in our guys. I think they’re going to come down here and really focus in and dial in on winning the ballgame.
“We want them to enjoy themselves. This is a week you’re not going to get to experience all the time. We can’t look at it as something we’re probably going to get to do next year and the year after.
“We have to look at this as our time to do it now. I think we’ll be focused in on that.” from http://mirror.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=article7&news_id=4603

I'm saying that both defenses play well. The Colts defense gives up a touchdown and two field goals. All in all this is a good showing for them. No points for the Bears special team.

Peyton Manning controls the game. Talking to the press this week it is obvious he is focussed and centered. With two weeks to prepare he has been living and breathing game tape. I say they get three touchdowns and two field goals.

Final score:
Colts 27
Bears 13

The only thing that scares me: All the hype is in favor of the Colts. When the mediots all jump on the same bandwagon it often means the bandwagon is headed in the wrong direction.