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| SPEED VS. GUNS BLAZING |
 ‘Saints and Colts Set the Stage for Super Bowl XLIV’With New Orleans about to make its first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history, memories of Hurricane Katrina still lingering and close ties between the team and the city’s rebuilding effort, Colts players understand why the Saints are this year’s sentimental favorite. They just want to play the role of spoiler. “There’s a reason America is pulling for New Orleans, and why wouldn’t they? They’ve been through a lot,” Indy safety Antoine Bethea said. “Sports tend to pull people together, so it’s commendable for New Orleans to be, as I guess you’d say, America’s team right now. But at the same time, we’re going to go out there as the Indianapolis Colts and play ball.” The reach of New Orleans’ fans goes all the way to the highest levels of the White House. “You know, I think both teams are terrific,” President Barack Obama told ABC News. “I guess I am rooting a little bit for the Saints as the underdog, partly just because when I think about what’s happened in New Orleans over the last several years and how much that team means to them.You know, I’m pretty sympathetic.” The Colts know they’re still the favorite in at least one state, Indiana. “He’s entitled to his opinion and why wouldn’t he be rooting for them?” Bethea said of Obama’s decision to cheer for New Orleans. “Like I said, the city has been through a lot. But the Colts, man, we’re going to go down there and give them a The Game at a Glance.... » Last meeting: Peyton Manning threw three touchdown passes as the Colts handled the Saints with ease in a 41-10 home victory on Kickoff Weekend in 2007. » Series: The series is even at 5-5. » Last week: The Colts held the Jets’ top-ranked rushing attack to 86 yards in a 30-17 win at home. ... The Saints advanced on the leg of Garret Hartley, whose 40-yarder in overtime sealed the 31-28 win over Minnesota. A potential shootout: Only one player threw for more touchdowns than Manning (33) in the regular season -- Drew Brees, with a leagueleading 34. Indy’s second-ranked passing offense will be pitted against the Saints’ 26th-ranked pass defense, while the Saints’ fourth-ranked aerial attack will contend with the 14th-ranked pass defense of the Colts. There should be no shortage of touchdowns through the air in this one. The experience factor: Much of the attention will be focused on Manning attempting to cement his legacy with a second Lombardi Trophy, but the Colts have a number of important players who were with the team for Super Bowl XLI. Among the Colts players who own Super Bowl rings are Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Gary Brackett, Dwight Freeney, Robert Mathis and Jeff Saturday. The Saints, on the other hand, have limited Super Bowl experience. Randall Gay played in two of the Patriots’ four visits to the big game, starting against the Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX, while Darren Sharper was a rookie with the following the 1997 season. Speed vs. speed: With the likes of Reggie Bush and Devery Henderson, the Saints field one of the quickest offenses in the league. But the Colts counter with a defense that relies more on its speed than it does size. The Colts have young legs in the likes of WRs Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon, but they will have to be wary of ball-hawking Saints safety Sharper, who can still find that extra gear in his 13th season. Did you know? The last time both No. 1 seeds reached the Super Bowl was 1993 when the Cowboys defeated the Bills 30-13. ... The Saints are making their first Super Bowl appearance in the franchise’s 43-year history. ... Dating back to when the franchise was in Baltimore, all four of the Colts’ Super Bowl appearances have taken place in Miami.
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