Who Dat Gunna Win the Super Bowl?

The biggest sporting event of the year... The Super Bowl. It's finally upon us, and it looks to be quite a shoot out between to powerhouse offenses.

Super Bowl XLIV will match up the 14-2 Indianapolis Colts and the 13-3 New Orleans Saints.

The Colts, who have been dominant throughout the playoffs, are looking to bring home their second Lombardi Trophy in four years. With the help of quarterback Peyton Manning, the Colts have had little trouble scoring against opposing teams all year long. So far during the playoffs, they have put up 50 points, and with both teams today possessing high-flying passing attacks, that number could double before the game is over. Manning has plenty of options to throw to, from wide receivers Reggie Wayne, Pierre Garcon, and Austin Collie, to tight end Dallas Clark. Running back Joseph Addai should also be a big factor today as the defense will be doing its best to keep Manning and the rest of his passing attack under wraps. If the Colts can get the running game going and keep the Saints defense honest, the Colts should have an easy time putting points on the board. The biggest question mark for either team is the Colts' defense, which has been questionable from time to time this season. Manning has had seven fourth quarter comebacks this season, which were a result of a defense that has had some trouble keeping its opposition out of the endzone consistently. Another huge factor today will be the questionable status of All-Pro defensive end Dwight Freeney. He tore a ligament in his ankle during the Conference Championship game against the New York Jets, and has had trouble getting back onto the practice field. Although it is a rather serious injury, it shouldn't keep Freeney from seeing the field today. The question is whether he will be effective or not. If he isn't, backup Raheem Brock could be a much more favorable matchup for the Saints. This game will come down to whether Manning can pick apart this Saints defense and if the offensive line can keep the heavy Saints pass rush off of his back.

The Saints, who barely edged out the Minnesota Vikings to find their way into the Super Bowl, are coming into this game with a chip on their shoulders. This is going to be their first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history, coming only a few years after a devastating hurricane riped apart New Orleans. The city has rallied behind its team, and this would be a huge moral boost for NO and all of Louisiana. Quarterback Drew Brees has been the spark behind this Saints offense that was ranked #1 during the regular season. They scored the most points during the season and are hoping that their high scoring offense can kick in this week as well as they go against another high scoring offense. Brees has plenty of options to go to on offense, which has helped him be so successful this season, earning the Fedex Air Player of the Year. With receivers such as Marques Colston and Devery Henderon, along with tight end Jeremy Shockey and running back Reggie Bush, the passing attack could be a huge problem for the Colts today. With a trio of outstanding running backs in Pierre Thomas, Mike Bell, and Bush, the Saints are hoping that their offense can be two-dimensional, which will give them an edge over a somewhat one-dimensional Colts offense. Getting Reggie Bush involved in the offense and putting the ball in his hands will be a huge factor in moving the ball against a quick Colts defense. Even with so many questions surrounding the offensive line and whether they can slow down the Colts' extremely quick defense, the Saints are confident that they can handle the pass rush and allow Brees plenty of time to throw. They kept two great pass rushing defenses, the Cardinals and the Vikings, to only one sack this post-season. The defense for the Saints has been solid all season, led by middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma and safety Darren Sharper. The defensive line has done a great job of putting pressure on quarterbacks, especially two weeks ago against Brett Favre of the Vikings. Sharper will do everything in his power to lift his defense up and try to make plays against this outstanding passing attack of the Colts.

The Saints have done a good job of forcing turnovers this year, and whether they can force Manning into turnovers will be a key factor in today's game. With both teams possessing offenses capable of scoring early and often, this game should turn into a shoot out. The team that does the best job of not becoming one dimensional and forcing turnovers will win the Super Bowl and take home the Lombardi Trophy. Even though the Colts have the "been-there, done that" factor on their side, the Saints have the emotional side of this that could give them the edge.

My pick: New Orleans Saints