There have been many articles written about the Super Bowl coming up on Sunday, they have debated Brees, Manning, the defenses, and just about everything else. That is the Super Bowl the most analyzed picked apart, and scrutinized event we have in this great country. Looking at this game I have identified one area that can be the difference in this game, and this factor favors the Saints.
The New Orleans Saints have the more explosive play makers between the two teams, and their receiving core will have a major impact on this game. We all know by now that sports competitions come down to which team has the most match up s in their favor, in this case the Saints receivers against the Colts defensive backs is a win for the Saints.
The Colts have a myriad of injuries and are starting their third string corner back, and it is not like the Colts defensive backs were feared even before that. Let me emphasize the match ups here so you can get a clear picture of what I am referring to.
Marques Colston 6’ 4”, 225 lbs. versus Kelvin Hayden 6’ 0”, 195 lbs.
Devery Henderson 5’ 11”, 200 lbs. versus Jacob Lacey 5’ 10”, 177 lbs.
Robert Meachem 6’ 2”, 210 lbs. versus Melvin Bullitt 6’ 1”, 201 lbs.
Jeremy Shockey 6’ 5”, 251 lbs. versus Antoine Bethea 5’ 11”, 203 lbs.
Reggie Bush 6’ 0”, 203 lbs. versus Clint Session 6’ 0”, 235 lbs.
Looking at this from a glance the first point I will make is you can’t coach 6’ 2”, 6’ 4”, and 6’ 5” those are imposing receivers to deal with against mostly shorter defenders. You will rarely find me quoting Trent Dilfer, but I will do so here “there is no defense that can stop the perfect pass” this is a true statement.
Let me comment on something first, the Colts do not run much man to man defense, so the match ups I outlined above will not be correct for most of the game. Any receiver that runs deep (past 15 yards) will have to deal with Antone Bethea and Melvin Bullitt as the safeties have deep responsibility, which means they will see Henderson and Meachem most often.
The reason the Saints edge is enhanced here is because Dwight Freeney is going to be limited, so that will translate into less pressure on Brees. If he has time to throw, the receivers will eventually get open, contrary to popular belief you cannot cover someone forever. The longer the play goes the more it favors the offense, and I believe these receivers will have a field day. The Colts do not have anyone that can play with Colston if he is on his game, and Meachem has been a match up problem for teams all season.
Meachem lines up in the slot when the Saints use three receiver sets, so that means he will be matched up with a linebacker or safety most of the time. This is a big mismatch and highlights the importance of the Colts pass rush, if Meachem gets down field and Brees is not on his back by the time he gets out of his break it will be a long night for the Colts.
Shockey will be limited with his injury, but they will still have to account for him. As much as I hate to admit it Reggie Bush (the receiver, not running back) can play a huge factor in the passing game. If they put a linebacker (Clint Session) on Bush there is no way he can cover him, if they try to cover him with a Safety he can sit in the middle of the zone between the linebackers and safeties to catch passes all day. The Colts will not be able to cover Bush with a corner because of Colston, Meachem, and Henderson. Which one of those players would you decide to leave on your weakest pass defender?
The Colts will more than likely play with an extra defensive back for the very purpose, but I would not say that T.J. Rushing is going to have an answer for any of the Saints receivers except maybe Henderson who is mostly a deep threat. Even with two good safeties in Bullitt and Bethea, if the pass rush does not get there the Colts are going to give up a lot of big plays.
If the Saints have their running game going, and the Colts are unable to generate a pass rush with the hobbled Dwight Freeney then Peyton Manning will have to prepare for a shoot out. People are going to say the Colts receiving core is just as formidable, but Darren Sharper has been in the league longer than Peyton Manning. Outside of Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark the other two are young receivers who will make mistakes.
Sharper will take full advantage of this, all he needs is one or two times for them to tip the play and he will be able to change the game. Wayne will get his catches, and I believe the Saints will be able to contain Dallas Clark enough to make Manning look for Collie and Garcon. If you compare both groups the Saints clearly have the advantage, a healthy Dwight Freeney would negate some of that. But at this point it does not seem like Freeney will be able to play at his normal level, which will allow these receivers to make the plays they need to win this game.
