POD: Indianapolis-5.0 vs. New Orleans (5K units) L
Preview: There may be more than a few people who are having a tough time hashing out their loyalties for Super Bowl XLIV. They’ll be watching a pair of quarterbacks, though, who are about as decisive as it gets.
Peyton Manning faces his hometown team, once quarterbacked by his father, as the Indianapolis Colts try for their second title in four years Sunday at Miami in a matchup with Drew Brees and a New Orleans Saints team making its Super Bowl debut.
Three years ago, Manning won his first championship, leading Indianapolis to a 29-17 win over Chicago in South Florida. He’s returning to the same site, this time to face a team that has deep roots in his family.
New Orleans is the city where his father, Archie, played and still lives. Manning played at Isidore Newman High School in New Orleans, as did his brothers, Eli - who won a Super Bowl with the New York Giants two years ago - and Cooper.
If Manning can outduel Brees in what has the potential to be one of the highest-scoring Super Bowls, many fans in New Orleans will certainly be celebrating their hometown hero’s accomplishment.
“New Orleans is a huge part of my life, as well as Eli’s life,” said Manning, who became the only four-time league MVP this season. “My dad’s been a part of the Saints organization for 39 years in some ways. We definitely have strong ties.”
Manning’s top receiver, Reggie Wayne(notes), also grew up in New Orleans and Colts running back Joseph Addai(notes) was still playing for LSU when Hurricane Katrina devastated the area in 2005.
Despite those ties, the Saints (15-3) have the undying loyalty of New Orleans natives, perhaps as much for their role in helping rebuild the city following Katrina as their success on the field.
New Orleans, still in recovery mode, has gotten a boost from the Saints’ rise to prominence. The 43-year-old franchise has never appeared in the Super Bowl.
“It’s a moment I’ve been waiting for a long time,” Brees said. “The job is not done yet but obviously we’re going to enjoy this. Now we’ve got to finish it in Miami.”
If the Saints win, parts of northwest Indiana will be cheering.
Near the Purdue campus in West Lafayette, 65 miles from Indianapolis, loyalties are split. Brees remains an icon in the area after leading the Boilermakers’ revival a decade ago.
Brees led the NFL with a 109.8 passer rating, throwing for 4,388 yards and a league-best 34 touchdown passes. He threw for three TDs as New Orleans won the NFC championship game 31-28 in overtime against Minnesota on Jan. 24.
With plenty of options offensively, New Orleans led the NFL with 31.9 points per game. The Colts were seventh, averaging 26.0 points.
“You understand just how explosive their offense can be,” Manning said. “I think you have to be careful trying to get out of your rhythm in order to keep up with them. You still have to go play offense the way we have played all year, trying to be efficient. We have been excellent on third down, been good in the red zone. Those things will be important this year.”
Manning once was criticized for his failure to win big games, but he’s won six if his last eight playoff contests. He’s led the Colts to a 16-2 record this season, and they may have been perfect if Manning and other starters weren’t rested by first-year coach Jim Caldwell in the final two games of the regular season.
Manning is attempting to join a short list of quarterbacks, including John Elway, Terry Bradshaw, Tom Brady(notes) and Joe Montana, to win more than one Super Bowl.
After finishing 2009 second in the NFL in yards passing (4,500) and TD passes (33), Manning was masterful in beating Baltimore and the Jets - two of league’s best defenses - in the postseason. Manning has a 104.6 passer rating in the playoffs, throwing a total of five TDs and one interception.
Manning passed for 377 yards and three touchdowns against the league’s top-ranked defense in the AFC championship game, leading Indianapolis to a 30-17 win over New York on Jan. 24.
Colts defensive leader Dwight Freeney(notes), though, suffered a torn ligament in his right ankle, which has been keeping him out of practice. The All-Pro defensive end, who led Indianapolis with 3 1/2 sacks, expects to play but it could be in a limited role.
“I think he’ll be back and playing third downs. And I think he’ll be effective, until I see something different,” said Raheem Brock(notes), who is first in line to replace Freeney in the lineup.
Freeney’s absence would be a big blow to the Colts, who ranked eighth in scoring defense (19.2 points per game) during the regular season and have been impressive during the playoffs.
New Orleans ranked 20th in scoring defense, giving up 21.3 points a contest, and has surrendered a total of 42 in the postseason. The Saints, though, have been opportunistic, forcing 39 turnovers during the regular season and seven in the playoffs.
Against one of the NFL’s top offenses in the NFC title game, New Orleans intercepted Brett Favre(notes) twice and recovered three fumbles. However, Favre wasn’t sacked in that contest and the Saints have one in two postseason games.
Though Manning was sacked 10 times in the regular season, New Orleans’ only chance defensively may be to find a way to pressure him. Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams created a buzz by saying the Saints will try to put some “remember-me hits” on Manning.
To help out their defense, New Orleans may focus a bit more on running the ball in an attempt to control the clock and keep Manning off the field.
Pierre Thomas(notes) led New Orleans with 793 yards on the ground during the regular season, but Reggie Bush(notes) is the Saints’ most dynamic player at that position. Bush has been relatively disappointing as a running back since being selected No. 2 overall in the 2006 draft, but he’s been a more physical runner in the postseason and he can make big plays as a receiver and a returner.
Bush has run one TD apiece rushing, receiving and returning in the postseason.
“They have really good backs, fast backs with Reggie Bush,” Colts linebacker Clint Session(notes) said. “We try not to get a lot of separation with a guy like him in the open field, so we’re probably playing him a little tighter than normal.
“We have to know the beast, as we call it. Know the beast, respect his speed, and try to keep a close eye on him.”
Bush was held to 38 yards on 12 carries, seven yards on four receptions and two yards on one punt return in the last meeting between the teams, a 41-10 Colts win Sept. 6, 2007. Manning threw for 288 yards and three TDs - two to Wayne - while Brees was picked off twice and finished with 192 yards.
Showing posts with label New Orleans Saints. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Orleans Saints. Show all posts
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
POD: Minnesota+3.5 (NFL) W
POD: Minnesota+3.5 @ New Orleans (3K units) W
Preview: Drew Brees helped the New Orleans Saints score the most points in the NFL before leading his team to a convincing 31-point win in the playoffs.
Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings produced the league’s second-highest point total before he guided his team to its own 31-point postseason victory.
The quarterbacks meet Sunday in a marquee NFC championship matchup at the Superdome - where Favre won his lone Super Bowl title 13 years ago.
New Orleans started 13-0 and used Brees’ NFL-leading 34 touchdowns to earn the top seed in the NFC for the first time. The Saints (14-3) have never been to the Super Bowl and made their lone NFC championship appearance three years ago in a loss at Chicago.
Brees threw for three touchdowns and 247 yards last Saturday in a 45-14 win over Arizona that seemed to erase the sting of a season-ending three-game skid.
“We all see the team that won 13 games in a row, not the team that struggled against the Cowboys and let one get away from us against Tampa,” Brees said.
Brees’ impressive season seems to have been overshadowed by Favre, who finished with 33 touchdowns after opting to come out of retirement and join Minnesota (13-4). The 40-year-old seemed to be fading down the stretch as the Vikings lost three of five, much as he did last season with the Jets.
Favre, though, was at his best last Sunday in a 34-3 rout of Dallas. He turned in his first four-touchdown effort of his postseason career, throwing three scores to Sidney Rice(notes), to gain his fifth NFC title game appearance.
Favre, a native of nearby Kiln, Miss., led Green Bay to a Super Bowl XXXI victory over New England in New Orleans before losing to Denver the next season. He lost in NFC title games to San Francisco after the 1997 season and to the Giants two years ago.
Favre is anxious for his first opportunity with the Vikings.
“I hope the little experience I have in these games which is more than most will help some,” Favre said. “But that’s not to say I don’t get nervous or get stressed as well.”
Brees and Favre have plenty of weapons at their disposal. Marques Colston(notes) and Robert Meachem(notes) each had nine touchdown receptions for New Orleans, and Pierre Thomas(notes), Mike Bell(notes) and Reggie Bush(notes) all scored at least five rushing touchdowns.
Bush had a major impact last week with a 46-yard touchdown run and an 83-yard punt return for a score. He’s scored four touchdowns in three career playoff games.
“He’s as healthy as he’s been, and he was something,” coach Sean Payton said. “You saw it not only on the punt return, but you saw it on the big, long touchdown run. He’s a dynamic player.”
Favre may have had his biggest impact on Rice, who was an afterthought his first two years before finishing fourth in the NFL with 1,312 yards receiving in 2009. Rice’s three touchdown catches last week tied an NFL postseason record, and he finished with six receptions for 141 yards.
“With the addition of No. 4, it’s been huge for me,” Rice said. “It’s been great for me, and I’m thankful for that.”
A passing game that includes Rice, tight end Visanthe Shiancoe(notes) (11 touchdowns) and Offensive Rookie of the Year Percy Harvin(notes) has taken the pressure off 1,000-yard back Adrian Peterson, whose 18 rushing touchdowns led the league.
Harvin, though, is listed as questionable because of migraine headaches. Coach Brad Childress called the situation “less than ideal” and said Harvin’s ability to fly with the team Saturday to New Orleans could be affected.
The Saints will try to contain those offensive stars with a defense that ranked 25th in the NFL. That unit, though, saw 11 players combine for 26 interceptions.
Nine of those picks were by safety Darren Sharper(notes), who tied for the league lead. Sharper spent his previous four seasons with Minnesota after being Favre’s teammate at Green Bay his first eight years in the league.
“I think Darren, I played with him numerous years, and he’s one of those guys that is very instinctive,” Favre said. “I see Darren and he looks physically as good as he’s ever looked. But his instincts, those are the things you can’t coach.”
Childress says he has an idea about what to expect from Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams’ “multiple defense” scheme.
“Defensively, a little familiarity with Gregg and that defense,” Childress said. “Most recently, (playing) Jacksonville last year and two years ago he was with the Redskins when he came in with Joe Gibbs.”
Minnesota will unleash the league’s best pass rush to try to neutralize Brees. The Vikings produced 48 sacks, with an NFC-leading 14 1/2 by Pro Bowl end Jared Allen(notes).
That pass rush won’t be as effective if end Ray Edwards(notes) isn’t available. Edwards injured his knee in the third quarter against Dallas and returned for a few plays before leaving for good with the Vikings in command.
Edwards, who had three of Minnesota’s six sacks against the Cowboys, returned to practice Friday along with fellow starting defensive lineman Kevin Williams(notes) (knee).
“We’re a better team when Ray plays like that,” Allen said. “When Ray can take advantage of one-on-one blocks and get to the quarterback like that, we were swarming all around.”
This will be Favre’s first road playoff game in six years. The Vikings went 9-0 at home compared to a 4-4 road mark.
“That’s going to be a factor that we have to handle obviously,” Favre said. “I think it goes without saying how happy I am that we have this opportunity.”
Minnesota has won four straight over New Orleans, averaging 33.3 points.
Preview: Drew Brees helped the New Orleans Saints score the most points in the NFL before leading his team to a convincing 31-point win in the playoffs.
Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings produced the league’s second-highest point total before he guided his team to its own 31-point postseason victory.
The quarterbacks meet Sunday in a marquee NFC championship matchup at the Superdome - where Favre won his lone Super Bowl title 13 years ago.
New Orleans started 13-0 and used Brees’ NFL-leading 34 touchdowns to earn the top seed in the NFC for the first time. The Saints (14-3) have never been to the Super Bowl and made their lone NFC championship appearance three years ago in a loss at Chicago.
Brees threw for three touchdowns and 247 yards last Saturday in a 45-14 win over Arizona that seemed to erase the sting of a season-ending three-game skid.
“We all see the team that won 13 games in a row, not the team that struggled against the Cowboys and let one get away from us against Tampa,” Brees said.
Brees’ impressive season seems to have been overshadowed by Favre, who finished with 33 touchdowns after opting to come out of retirement and join Minnesota (13-4). The 40-year-old seemed to be fading down the stretch as the Vikings lost three of five, much as he did last season with the Jets.
Favre, though, was at his best last Sunday in a 34-3 rout of Dallas. He turned in his first four-touchdown effort of his postseason career, throwing three scores to Sidney Rice(notes), to gain his fifth NFC title game appearance.
Favre, a native of nearby Kiln, Miss., led Green Bay to a Super Bowl XXXI victory over New England in New Orleans before losing to Denver the next season. He lost in NFC title games to San Francisco after the 1997 season and to the Giants two years ago.
Favre is anxious for his first opportunity with the Vikings.
“I hope the little experience I have in these games which is more than most will help some,” Favre said. “But that’s not to say I don’t get nervous or get stressed as well.”
Brees and Favre have plenty of weapons at their disposal. Marques Colston(notes) and Robert Meachem(notes) each had nine touchdown receptions for New Orleans, and Pierre Thomas(notes), Mike Bell(notes) and Reggie Bush(notes) all scored at least five rushing touchdowns.
Bush had a major impact last week with a 46-yard touchdown run and an 83-yard punt return for a score. He’s scored four touchdowns in three career playoff games.
“He’s as healthy as he’s been, and he was something,” coach Sean Payton said. “You saw it not only on the punt return, but you saw it on the big, long touchdown run. He’s a dynamic player.”
Favre may have had his biggest impact on Rice, who was an afterthought his first two years before finishing fourth in the NFL with 1,312 yards receiving in 2009. Rice’s three touchdown catches last week tied an NFL postseason record, and he finished with six receptions for 141 yards.
“With the addition of No. 4, it’s been huge for me,” Rice said. “It’s been great for me, and I’m thankful for that.”
A passing game that includes Rice, tight end Visanthe Shiancoe(notes) (11 touchdowns) and Offensive Rookie of the Year Percy Harvin(notes) has taken the pressure off 1,000-yard back Adrian Peterson, whose 18 rushing touchdowns led the league.
Harvin, though, is listed as questionable because of migraine headaches. Coach Brad Childress called the situation “less than ideal” and said Harvin’s ability to fly with the team Saturday to New Orleans could be affected.
The Saints will try to contain those offensive stars with a defense that ranked 25th in the NFL. That unit, though, saw 11 players combine for 26 interceptions.
Nine of those picks were by safety Darren Sharper(notes), who tied for the league lead. Sharper spent his previous four seasons with Minnesota after being Favre’s teammate at Green Bay his first eight years in the league.
“I think Darren, I played with him numerous years, and he’s one of those guys that is very instinctive,” Favre said. “I see Darren and he looks physically as good as he’s ever looked. But his instincts, those are the things you can’t coach.”
Childress says he has an idea about what to expect from Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams’ “multiple defense” scheme.
“Defensively, a little familiarity with Gregg and that defense,” Childress said. “Most recently, (playing) Jacksonville last year and two years ago he was with the Redskins when he came in with Joe Gibbs.”
Minnesota will unleash the league’s best pass rush to try to neutralize Brees. The Vikings produced 48 sacks, with an NFC-leading 14 1/2 by Pro Bowl end Jared Allen(notes).
That pass rush won’t be as effective if end Ray Edwards(notes) isn’t available. Edwards injured his knee in the third quarter against Dallas and returned for a few plays before leaving for good with the Vikings in command.
Edwards, who had three of Minnesota’s six sacks against the Cowboys, returned to practice Friday along with fellow starting defensive lineman Kevin Williams(notes) (knee).
“We’re a better team when Ray plays like that,” Allen said. “When Ray can take advantage of one-on-one blocks and get to the quarterback like that, we were swarming all around.”
This will be Favre’s first road playoff game in six years. The Vikings went 9-0 at home compared to a 4-4 road mark.
“That’s going to be a factor that we have to handle obviously,” Favre said. “I think it goes without saying how happy I am that we have this opportunity.”
Minnesota has won four straight over New Orleans, averaging 33.3 points.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
POD: New Orleans-2.5 (NFL) W
POD: New York @ New Orleans-2.5 (3K units) W
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Manning and the Giants take on Jeremy Shockey(notes) and the New Orleans Saints on Sunday in a matchup of two of the five remaining unbeaten teams.
This trip promises to be a special one for Manning. His main concern is helping New York (5-0) remain perfect after he played less than a half in last week’s 44-7 rout of Oakland due to plantar fasciitis suffered the week before.
Manning missed two days of practice last week and took a limited number of snaps Wednesday as a precaution against aggravating his heel.
His father, Archie, quarterbacked the Saints when Manning was a youngster, and his parents live about 10 minutes away from the Superdome.
“I am excited about it,” Manning said. “First time playing in the Superdome, ever, for any level of football. I am excited about getting the opportunity to play where my father spent most of his career, going to back to New Orleans and playing New Orleans, who is playing very well this year.
“Two undefeated teams. It should be a great atmosphere.”
While this game features a matchup of two of the top quarterbacks in Manning and the Saints’ Drew Brees(notes), a player who has emerged as New Orleans’ leading receiver has become a focal point.
Shockey will face the Giants for the first time since the tight end was traded to New Orleans (4-0) shortly before training camps opened in 2008. He spent six years with New York, reaching the Pro Bowl four times while blossoming with Manning as his quarterback.
Those years were marked, however, by numerous incidents, including a shouting feud with general manager Jerry Reese right before being traded. Shockey was critical of the way the Giants treated him during their run to the Super Bowl title two years ago, saying he did not feel welcome at team events or on the sideline during the playoffs.
On Wednesday, Shockey refused to discuss his feelings about the Giants.
“It’s not about me, all right? So no more questions (about that). It’s about two teams going against each other,” he said. “I want to make that clear. There’s already been some references about vendettas and stuff like that. It’s about two teams. It’s two great teams playing against each other.”
Giants players believe Shockey will be trying to prove a point Sunday. After an injury-plagued 2008 season, he currently leads New Orleans with 18 receptions and has 162 yards receiving and two touchdowns.
“I think Jeremy, just like any competitive guy, wants to get the ball and feels like any safety or linebacker is a great matchup and that he is going to get open,” Brees said. “Which the majority of the time he does, he is a great player. I think he fits very well into what we are trying to do.”
Manning and Brees rank second and third in quarterback rating this season, but both teams also have strong ground attacks. That’s not surprising for the Giants, who led the league in rushing last year and rank fourth in 2009 with 160.4 yards per game.
New Orleans, though, ranked 28th in that department last year and now features the second-best rushing attack in the NFL at 166.2 yards per game.
“This certainly presents a very real challenge,” said Giants coach Tom Coughlin, whose club also owns the league’s top defense. “Our guys have to rise up and play well against the run. As I said, there are a lot of things to defend. But certainly that is where it all starts for us, is with the run.”
The Saints, meanwhile, will try to stop a New York attack that also features Steve Smith, who leads the league with 37 catches and 481 yards receiving.
New Orleans’ defense is ranked sixth in the league, and the improved unit is guided by defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who is familiar to New York from his days with Washington.
“Yeah, it’s his defense,” Manning said. “A lot of different schemes based by the game and some of it is the stuff he ran back at Washington and some of it is new stuff. But they can be very aggressive.”
Brees is 2-0 against the Giants, including a 30-7 road win Dec. 24, 2006 in the last meeting between these teams. He’ll be up against the league’s top-rated secondary that includes former LSU cornerback Corey Webster(notes).
This is the Giants’ second trip to the Superdome since 1995. They lost 45-7 in 2003 and a scheduled matchup in 2005 was shifted to Giants Stadium due to Hurricane Katrina as New York won 27-10.
Watch the games live for FREE @ Bet365
Manning and the Giants take on Jeremy Shockey(notes) and the New Orleans Saints on Sunday in a matchup of two of the five remaining unbeaten teams.
This trip promises to be a special one for Manning. His main concern is helping New York (5-0) remain perfect after he played less than a half in last week’s 44-7 rout of Oakland due to plantar fasciitis suffered the week before.
Manning missed two days of practice last week and took a limited number of snaps Wednesday as a precaution against aggravating his heel.
His father, Archie, quarterbacked the Saints when Manning was a youngster, and his parents live about 10 minutes away from the Superdome.
“I am excited about it,” Manning said. “First time playing in the Superdome, ever, for any level of football. I am excited about getting the opportunity to play where my father spent most of his career, going to back to New Orleans and playing New Orleans, who is playing very well this year.
“Two undefeated teams. It should be a great atmosphere.”
While this game features a matchup of two of the top quarterbacks in Manning and the Saints’ Drew Brees(notes), a player who has emerged as New Orleans’ leading receiver has become a focal point.
Shockey will face the Giants for the first time since the tight end was traded to New Orleans (4-0) shortly before training camps opened in 2008. He spent six years with New York, reaching the Pro Bowl four times while blossoming with Manning as his quarterback.
Those years were marked, however, by numerous incidents, including a shouting feud with general manager Jerry Reese right before being traded. Shockey was critical of the way the Giants treated him during their run to the Super Bowl title two years ago, saying he did not feel welcome at team events or on the sideline during the playoffs.
On Wednesday, Shockey refused to discuss his feelings about the Giants.
“It’s not about me, all right? So no more questions (about that). It’s about two teams going against each other,” he said. “I want to make that clear. There’s already been some references about vendettas and stuff like that. It’s about two teams. It’s two great teams playing against each other.”
Giants players believe Shockey will be trying to prove a point Sunday. After an injury-plagued 2008 season, he currently leads New Orleans with 18 receptions and has 162 yards receiving and two touchdowns.
“I think Jeremy, just like any competitive guy, wants to get the ball and feels like any safety or linebacker is a great matchup and that he is going to get open,” Brees said. “Which the majority of the time he does, he is a great player. I think he fits very well into what we are trying to do.”
Manning and Brees rank second and third in quarterback rating this season, but both teams also have strong ground attacks. That’s not surprising for the Giants, who led the league in rushing last year and rank fourth in 2009 with 160.4 yards per game.
New Orleans, though, ranked 28th in that department last year and now features the second-best rushing attack in the NFL at 166.2 yards per game.
“This certainly presents a very real challenge,” said Giants coach Tom Coughlin, whose club also owns the league’s top defense. “Our guys have to rise up and play well against the run. As I said, there are a lot of things to defend. But certainly that is where it all starts for us, is with the run.”
The Saints, meanwhile, will try to stop a New York attack that also features Steve Smith, who leads the league with 37 catches and 481 yards receiving.
New Orleans’ defense is ranked sixth in the league, and the improved unit is guided by defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who is familiar to New York from his days with Washington.
“Yeah, it’s his defense,” Manning said. “A lot of different schemes based by the game and some of it is the stuff he ran back at Washington and some of it is new stuff. But they can be very aggressive.”
Brees is 2-0 against the Giants, including a 30-7 road win Dec. 24, 2006 in the last meeting between these teams. He’ll be up against the league’s top-rated secondary that includes former LSU cornerback Corey Webster(notes).
This is the Giants’ second trip to the Superdome since 1995. They lost 45-7 in 2003 and a scheduled matchup in 2005 was shifted to Giants Stadium due to Hurricane Katrina as New York won 27-10.
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