Game Day: Super Bowl XLI

There's always so much hype and over-analyzing leading up to the Super Bowl that I wish they wouldn't have an extra week off.

In order to keep my sanity, I distanced myself from most of the stories and features being spit out on an almost hourly basis and I consciously made the decision not to write anything about the Super Bowl until the day of the game.

Now that the big game is upon us, I will venture forth with my humble preview and tell you who will walk away with the biggest prize in professional sports.

Offense: The Indianapolis Colts have strong offensive leadership in QB Payton Manning, WR Marvin Harrison and an experienced, solid offensive line led by LT Tarik Glenn. Throw in TE Dallas Clark, WR Reggie Wayne and the two-headed rushing attack of rookie Joseph Addai and Domenic Rhodes and you have a potent offense. Just witness the comeback in the AFC title game against the Patriots if you need proof. The Chicago Bears have their own two-headed monster in the form of Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson. The O-line is a strength, thanks to veterans Reuben Brown, Fred Miller and All-Pro center Olin Kreutz. The problem for the Bears comes at the quarterback position where Rex Grossman has been inconsistent all season. When he's on, he's been superb. When he's off - it's ugly as can be.
Advantage: Colts

Defense: Ron Rivera, who may be gone after the Super Bowl to become head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, is the architect of a Chicago defense that's been one of the best in the league the past three seasons. Led by All-Pro linebackers Bryan Urlacher and Lance Briggs, the front seven is as good as any in the league. The loss of DT Tommie Harris and S Mike Brown caused the Bears defense to slip a little, especially during the tail end of the season, but the unit rebounded against New Orleans in the championship game. Indy has gone in the opposite direction from where it began the year. After a horrible regular season that saw the Colts finish last in rush defense, Indianapolis has emerged in the playoffs and are playing its best D of the season. Bob Sanders is a load at strong safety and Dwight Freeney could be a key factor if he can get to Grossman and pressure him to make mistakes.
Advantage: Bears

Kicking: Robbie Gould had a great year in 2006, but the kicking advantage definitely goes to the Colts and Adam Vinatieri, the best postseason kicker in NFL history. The man has won two Super Bowls for heaven's sake! He was brought in to do what Mike Vanderjagt failed to do in the past - win games in the playoffs. Vinatieri has more than fit the bill for the Colts.
Advantage: Colts

Special Teams: Rookie Devin Hester set the NFL record with six returns for touchdowns this season. He's a threat to break it loose every time he touches the ball. Hunter Smith and Brad Maynard are excellent punters, but Hester is the X-factor in this game. If he gets loose, it's lights out.
Advantage: Bears

Coaching: Lovie Smith and Tony Dungy are the first black head coaches to take teams to the Super Bowl. It's only fitting they are first because both are very similar in coaching style and personality. Both have a strong work ethic, have low-key personalities, and are master motivators and teachers. Neither will have the advantage because they are cut from the same cloth when it comes to football philosophy. Remember, Lovie was linebackers coach at Tampa Bay when Dungy was head coach.
Advantage: Even

Outlook:As always, the Super Bowl will come down to the team that can execute the best on third down and make the fewest mistakes. Turnovers almost always decide the Super Bowl and this year should be no different. The difference maker will be Manning. If the Colts can't run the ball, they still have the best signal caller in the league to guide them. If the Bears running game is silenced and Grossman has to put the team on his shoulders, can he carry them to victory? I don't think so.

Winner: The Colts, 28-17.


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