Super Bowl XLIV: Manning will put on a clinic

February 5, 2010 / By Danny Sheridan

Well, it should be one heck of a game on Super Sunday, when the New Orleans Saints take on the favored Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV in Miami (6:25 pm ET, CBS).

The Saints are playing in the Big Game for the first time in franchise history. They got there by winning the NFC Championship Game 31-28 against the Minnesota Vikings.

Indianapolis, meanwhile, came from behind to beat the upstart New York Jets 30-17 as a 7.5-point favorite in the AFC Championship Game.

I know the Super Bowl Betting Line has been jumping all over the place since it came out right after the NFC Championship on Jan. 24, but it looks now like the Colts have settled in as 5-point favorites, while the over/under total is at 56.5 at Sportsbook.com.

The Saints have a 3-2 edge both straight up and against the point spread over the past five head-to-head meetings.

But those numbers are misleading. The teams haven't met in more than two years, but still, for a more accurate measuring stick as to what might happen on Super Sunday, look at the last two meetings.

On Sept. 6, 2007, Indy blew out New Orleans 41-10 as 5.5-point home favorites. The score went under the total of 53.5. And on Sept. 28, 2003, The Colts blew out the Saints by an even wider margin, 55-21.

Who was the Colts' quarterback in both those games? That's right, Peyton Manning. In fact, 2003 was year Manning won his first of four NFL MVP awards.

I believe he will put on a clinic on Sunday, and win his second Super Bowl with the Colts, capping what might be the best overall season by an NFL quarterback — ever.