reasoning:

*  Colts came back from being behind 7 times this year: they don't panic
*  Peyton figured out the Jets strategies quickly and then picked them apart
*  Peyton "picked apart" the NFL's #1 defense
*  Colts beat Baltimore and Jets, Saints beat Cardinals and self destructing Vikings.  I say Colts had the toughest two opponents
*  Colts and their squad have "been there" before and Saints are super bowl virgins

Prediction:  Assuming no disasters in practice:
COLTS 38   SAINTS 20

A blowout
not blowjob.  Probably easier to get blowjob in New Orleans than in Indianapolis!

OK..go to it everybody

New Orleans won a track meet against Arizona and beat a Minnesota team that kept imploding. I think Indy has a better defense than the Saints and that will make the difference. New Orleans will be going primarily on emotion for the first quarter or so, then Indy's experience will take over. Indy prevails 31-17.

I find the Dolts defense to be lacking. To the Saints favor.

I find the Saints offense suspect to error. To the Dolts favor

I find both capeable of high-scoring.

What i'm getting at is that i don't have a frickin idea who will come up the victor in that one.

Manning has the experience. Don't count out "Run with it"(Saints emotion)

Notice the contrdictions? Anything can happen. I just want the game to be a GAME.

keep an emotional high for 60 minutes. After the guys get hit in the snot-locker  few times, they'll come back down to earth. The Colts defense is a little better than people think. You're right, anything can happen and, "That's why they play the game." Of course, all of this is subject to change daily, hourly, minutely, etc.

The Colts have shown an ability to win any type of game you throw at them. If they need to win a shootout (i.e. the second Jacksonville game) they can do so. If you want to play them close to the vest and try to grind out a low scoring victory (i.e. the Ravens during the regular season) they can do that. And all that comes down to Manning. He simply has the ability to find ways to win. He is emerging as a top five QB of all time (if he's not already there). Yes, Manning's playoff record is less than stellar, but a lot of those losses are not on him.

While the Saints have had a magical season, and their defense has exceeded expectations, I do not see them keeping up with the Colts. (I hope I'm wrong as I am pulling for the Saints!). The Saints will have to play flawless and capitalize on any small opening (perhaps another Reggie Bush KO or punt return for a TD). I think its close for a while, but in the end, talent prevails as Indy pulls away, 34-24.

-- Modified on 1/25/2010 1:21:14 PM

I thing that Manning will be the factor that wins the game for the Colts.  Plus their D is much better then most people think.  I'm not a fan of either team, so if the Saints win I won't be crushed.   I do think the Colts are the team to beat.

so I gotta support my Saints on this one. It is going to be a close game and don't expect a blow out but with the Saints you can't always be sure what team will show up.  With Manning, you always know, the guy is like a cyborg.  Yeah the Saints are Bowl virgins, hell they have only won 4 playoff games in their team history (the Viqueens have lost that many superbowls) but they do rise to the occasion and will meet the challenge

That said, if the Saints can get in his face and disrupt him enough to throw off his game they have a good chance.

No matter what, for the city of New Orleans they have already won.  The economic shot in the arm that the arm that the past two weekend brought was awesome.  The party over the weekend was even better, gonna take a few days to get over the hangover.

Predictions, same as yesterday, will be decided in OT and who ever wins the OT toss will win the game.

.and it's somewhat surprising that they are only a 5 1/2 point favorite (already up from the initial 3 1/2 points last night).  

That being said,

Saints 31
Colts  27

If she tells R Bush there’ll be on Bush for him if the Saints don’t win you watch that sucker go. He’ll leave the Colts in his dust just for some good pussy. Lucky guy.
And that’s just my .02 cents.

but unfortunately I don't think the Saints can stop the Colts either.

I think the Colts deserve to be the 5 1/2 pt favorites that they are, despite that I will be rooting for the Saints, and with an offense as potent as theirs, you never know.

If I had to predict a score, I would say:
Colts     38
Saints    35

I know everyone is picking the Colts. But then again, most folks picked the Viqueens and said there was no way the Saints would win.  

I am glad they did or I would be eating so much crow right now and crow with a hangover, bad juju

while I love an underdog and would love to see the Saints win, the only reason they won last night was that they were playing the Viking Bakery Co and got those apple turnovers delivered on a silver platter.....anyways, it's not even going to be close..... Colts 35 Saints 24

If you are planing on betting the colts you should do so now. This game will get as high as 6.5 before kickoff. If you planning on betting the Saints wait till you get 6.5 then get on it wont go any higher as the large betters who jumped on the Colts early will be getting onthe saints to create a middle.   AS for me my money is already down on the colts.

Congrats, Chengster, to you and the Saints for a great year-  Still have to go with the Colts-Peyton Manning is one of the best QB's ever-certainly Brees is no slouch-and IMHO, the Colts D is quite a bit better than the Saints-great pass rush and linebackers and the DB's won't get caught again on dipsy doodles delay deep patterns like the Jets caught them on (twice) -Believe PM and the better D are the difference here-My coin is already down on Indy-enjoy your posts-1rob...(love that off shore betting)...OUT

Colts are the best in the NFL in the last 2 minutes of either half (2nd half only matters when the game is still on the line).

Can the Colts O-line protect Peyton or will he be hit like Farve?

Can the Saints score 20 over the Colts D?

Yes, having traveled to Indianapolis fairly regularly for business, provider options are slim.  On the other hand, New Orleans has a whole lot more to offer.

Hi, Double K,
If the Vikes can score 28 on the pourous Saints D-aren't they ranked about 25th in the league?-with 5 turnovers, I would expect Peyton and the Colts to get 40 plus-The Colts D is much underrated and if the Saints can score more than 24, I'll be hugely surprised-hope you're doing well, Old Buddy-1rob...OUT