Fred Bowen's "The Score" column,
February 4, 2010, Washington Post

Obama favors Saints in Super Bowl, but Colts are the better team

When it comes to the Super Bowl, I agree with President Obama.

When Obama was asked what team he wanted to win Super Bowl XLIV (that's 44 in Roman numerals), the 44th president said that he liked both teams but that he was rooting for the New Orleans Saints "a little bit." President Obama is pulling for the Saints because of what the team means to New Orleans and because of all the troubles the city had after Hurricane Katrina.

I, too, would love to see the Saints win on Sunday and bring the championship to New Orleans. But does that mean the Saints will beat the Indianapolis Colts? Let's take a look at some of the keys to the game.

Quarterbacks: This Super Bowl is a matchup between two of the best quarterbacks in the National Football League. The Colts' Peyton Manning won the Most Valuable Player award for the 2009 regular season. But the Saints' Drew Brees may have had a better year. Both quarterbacks are terrific. If you like passing, be sure to watch the Super Bowl on Sunday evening. There should be lots of footballs flying. Here's a chart comparing the two quarterbacks' 2009 regular-season statistics:

Offense: Both teams can put points on the board. New Orleans averaged almost 32 points a game, while Indianapolis averaged 26. But the Saints may have an edge because they can run the ball with three running backs: Pierre Thomas, Mike Bell and Reggie Bush. The Colts struggle to move the ball on the ground.

Defense: This may be the difference in the game. The Colts defense is underrated. They were the second-rated defense in the NFL for points allowed through 14 games and then gave up a lot of points in games that didn't mean much. The Colts pass rushers should put pressure on Brees, especially if Dwight Freeney (13.5 sacks), who has an injured ankle, is able to play.

The Saints defense, on the other hand, gives up yards and points in bunches. The Saints were ranked 25th out of 32 teams in overall defense. They could have trouble stopping Manning and his terrific receivers: Both wide receiver Reggie Wayne and tight end Dallas Clark caught 100 balls this season.

Prediction: I'll be rooting for the Saints, just like President Obama. But I think the Indianapolis Colts and Peyton Manning will beat the New Orleans Saints, 34-24.

Fred Bowen writes the KidsPost's sports opinion column and is the author of 14 books, including a football book, "Touchdown Trouble."

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