The Super Bowl has already happened, but I did write down my Super Bowl pick before the game, as well as predictions on which quarterback, running back, and wide receiver would have the bigger game. The Colts and Saints were the two best teams in the league. They had the longest undefeated strings to start the season. They had the best quarterbacks in football this year. Their defenses were underrated. But, there were some differences. New Orleans
Before we talk about the Super Bowl, let’s back up one week. The AFC and NFC title games were played and the only team without a bye week who was still in the tournament was the New York Jets. But, the Jets run was over in a rematch with the Colts. The Saints reached their first Super Bowl in their 43-year history with an overtime victory over Brett Favre and the Vikings. Here are the top fantasy performances from the Conference Championship games:
Conference Championship Round Top Fantasy Performers
Quarterback
1. Peyton Manning IND
2. Drew Brees NO – 23 points (17-for-31, 197 yards, 3 TD (38,9,5), 0 INT, 1 rush for 0 yards)
3. Mark Sanchez NYJ – 22 points (17-for-30, 257 yards, 2 TD (80,9), 1 INT, 2 rushes for 1 yard)
Running Back
1. Adrian Peterson MIN – 27 points (25 rushes for 122 yards, 3 TD (19,1,2), 2 catches for 14 yards)
2. Pierre Thomas NO – 23 points (14 rushes for 61 yards, 1 TD (9), 2 catches for 38 yards, 1 rec TD (38))
T3. Joseph Addai IND
T3. Reggie Bush NO – 8 points (7 rushes for 8 yards, 2 catches for 33 yards, 1 rec TD (5), 1 fumble lost)
Wide Receiver
1. Braylon Edwards NYJ – 20 points (2 catches for 100 yards, 1 TD (80))
2. Pierre Garcon IND
3. Austin Collie IND
Tight End
1. Dustin Keller NYJ – 16 points (6 catches for 63 yards, 1 TD (9))
2. Dallas Clark IND
3. Visanthe Shiancoe MIN – 12 points (4 catches for 83 yards)
Kicker
1. Matt Stover IND
2. Garrett Hartley NO – 9 points (1-for-1 in field goals (40), 4-for-4 in extra points)
3. Jay Feely NYJ – 7 points (1-for-3 in field goals (48), 2-for-2 in extra points)
Defense/Special Team
1. Saints NO – 5 points (2 INT, 3 fumble recoveries, 28 points allowed)
T2. Colts IND
T2. Jets NYJ – 3 points (2 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 30 points allowed)
Conference Championship Round Start ‘Em and Sit ‘Em Results (1-2)
QB: Drew Brees NO (start) vs. Peyton Manning IND
RB: Shonn Greene NYJ (start) vs. Reggie Bush NO (sit) – (L, Bush 8, Greene 4)
WR: Devery Henderson NO (start) vs. Reggie Wayne IND (sit) – (W, Henderson 7, Wayne 5)
SUPER BOWL XLIV
Sunday 6:30pm – New Orleans vs. Indianapolis
Super Bowl pick
NO-IND: Colts 40, Saints 30 (Colts win and cover)
The Colts managed to put up 30 points against the Jets while using two rookies as their main receivers. Pierre Garcon set an AFC Championship Game record with 11 catches and Garcon and Austin Collie both caught touchdowns from Peyton Manning. The Saints do not have the shutdown corner the Jets have in Darrelle Revis so Reggie Wayne will be in play more in the Super Bowl than last game. The Colts defense has been much better than advertised against the run and the Saints have a deceptively good running game with Pierre Thomas, Mike Bell, and Reggie Bush. The Saints defense will try to blitz, but RB Joseph Addai is good at picking it up. This should give Peyton Manning more time to make plays downfield.
For the Saints to win, Reggie Bush has to get involved, injured Colts DE Dwight Freeney has to be kept at bay, and they have to fool the Colts defense with different looks. The Saints are great on screen passes and this could help keep the Colts defense on their heels. The Colts defense is quick, but the Saints offensive players are quick, too, including their wide receivers, who can run as well as receive.
Game Result: Saints 31, Colts 17 (Saints won and covered)
The Saints won the game with the unbelievably efficient play of Drew Brees. Brees tied Tom Brady for the Super Bowl record in completions in a game with 32. Though Brees only averaged 9 yards per completion for 288 yards, Brees dinked and dunked his way to an 82% completion percentage. Brees outplayed Peyton Manning and won MVP honors. The play calling was solid, culminating in a screen pass to Pierre Thomas, who scored from 16 yards out. Former Giant TE Jeremy Shockey caught the go-ahead touchdown with under 6 minutes left in the fourth quarter.
But, almost as impressive as Brees was the Saints defense. Gregg Williams had his defense give Manning fits, changing looks and even alignments, switching from a 3-4 to a 4-3. The only turnover in the game sealed the victory for the Saints. Manning tried to reach Reggie Wayne, who had a disappointing game. Malcolm Jenkins jumped the route and intercepted Manning's pass 74 yards for a touchdown for the icing on the cake.
Super Bowl Start 'Em/Sit 'Em
QB: Drew Brees NO (start) vs. Peyton Manning IND
I am a glutton for punishment. I gave you the same Start ‘Em/Sit ‘Em last week at quarterback and Manning had the better day, 31-23. But, I think Brees will be passing from behind and will get more yards. Otherwise, the statistics may be pretty even for these two stars.
RB: Pierre Thomas NO (start) vs. Joseph Addai IND
Thomas is a double threat in that he can run and receive. Thomas caught a pivotal screen pass against the Vikings for a touchdown and found the end zone with some great individual moves when it would have been easier to go out of bounds. Addai plays in an offense that does not feature the run and he is more of a runner than a receiver. Thomas wins this one on versatility.
WR: Reggie Wayne IND
Super Bowl Top Fantasy Performers
Quarterback
1. Drew Brees NO – 23 points (32-for-39, 288 yards, 2 TD (16,2), 0 INT, 1 rush for -1 yard)
2. Peyton Manning IND
Running Back
T1. Joseph Addai IND
T1. Pierre Thomas NO – 16 points (9 rushes for 30 yards, 6 catches for 55 yards, 1 rec TD (16))
3. Reggie Bush NO – 5 points (5 rushes for 25 yards, 4 catches for 38 yards)
Wide Receiver
1. Pierre Garcon IND
2. Marques Colston NO – 8 points (7 catches for 83 yards)
T3. Austin Collie IND
T3. Devery Henderson NO – 6 points (7 catches for 63 yards)
Tight End
1. Dallas Clark IND
2. Jeremy Shockey NO – 8 points (3 catches for 13 yards, 1 TD (2))
Kicker
1. Garrett Hartley NO – 17 points (3-for-3 in field goals (46,44,47), 2-for-2 in extra points)
2. Matt Stover IND
Defense/Special Team
1. Saints NO – 8 points (1 INT, 1 INT-TD (74), 17 points allowed)
2. Colts IND
Super Bowl Start ‘Em and Sit ‘Em Results (1-1-1)
QB: Drew Brees NO (start) vs. Peyton Manning IND
RB: Pierre Thomas NO (start) vs. Joseph Addai IND
WR: Reggie Wayne IND
Final Playoff Pick Standings
Straight Up: 7-4, AFC Champ: IND (W), NFC Champ: NO (W), Super Bowl: IND
Against The Spread: 5-6, AFC Champ: NYJ (L), NFC Champ: NO (L), Super Bowl: IND
Start ‘Em and Sit ‘Em: 4-7-1 (Starts: 100 points, Sits: 113 points)
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