Silver Dragons Super Bowl XLI Pick

Super Bowl XLI – Miami, Fl
Dolphin Stadium
February 4, 2007 @ 6:25pm EST



Indianapolis Colts Vs Chicago Bears

The Line – Colts -7 / Bears +7 Over/Under 49.5

The Colts and the Bears will both be making the trip to South Florida to tan in the bright lights of the camera crews and take the center stage in the biggest game of the NFL. Miami is geared up and ready to receive this honor. I know first hand as I have been witness to the preparations for this monumental event. The next two weeks leading up to the game will be filled with a buzz as teams fly in and make their own preparations for the Super Bowl. So with all this excitement, and all this hype, who is going to take the field with confidence? Who is going to have doubts? Who hang their head in defeat at the sound of the final whistle, and who is going to hoist that Vince Lombardi Trophy high above their heads in conquest?

The Colts

Ranked #3 in overall offense the Indianapolis Colts has been able to average 274.8 passing yards per game (2nd) and 110.1 rushing yards per game (18th). Their defense has been a changed crew as their #17 overall defensive ranking becomes deceiving. Averages say they have been allowing 169.1 passing yards per game (2nd) and 173.0 atrocious rushing yards per game (32nd); However, the Colts rush defense has been transformed in the playoffs holding Chiefs Larry Johnson to 32 rushing yards, Ravens Jamal Lewis to 53 rushing yards, and Patriots Corey Dillon to 48 rushing yards. On the offensive side of the ball Joseph Addai emerged against the Chiefs with 122 rushing yards on 25 attempts and a TD. Adam Vinatieri proved to be a huge pickup going 5 for 5 on field goals against the Ravens with a longest kick at 51 yards. Then Peyton Manning himself rose to defeat his arch nemesis Tom Brady and the Patriots by throwing 27 completions on 47 attempts for 349 yards and a touchdown.

The Bears

Ranked # 16 in overall offense the Chicago Bears have averaged 215.4 passing yards per game(15th) and 119.9 rushing yards per game (15th). The defense that has dominated several opponents, including the #1 ranked offensive Saints, has been ranked # 5 overall. They have allowed 211.8 passing yards per game (11th) and a stingy 99.4 rushing yards per game (6th). Dominating their way into the #1 seed in the NFC, the Bears enjoyed a first round bye before stepping into the playoff battle. The defense took a slow start against the Seahawks, giving up 108 rushing yards and two touchdowns to Shaun Alexander, but holding Matt Hasselbeck to a mere 195 yards and stealing one interception. The sleeping bear was awaken from hibernation in the NFC Championship however, as they contained the Saints through most of the game before demolishing them in the fourth quarter. The Saints run game was nonexistent as Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush combined for only 37 rushing yards. The defense and special teams also recovered four turnovers in this one sided victory. Thomas Jones has been the stand out on the offensive side of the ball. He rushed for two touchdowns in both matchups rushing for 66 yards against the Seahawks and a more impressive 123 yards against the Saints.

The Showdown

That brings us down to the Super Bowl, Colts Vs Bears. Let’s get down to my predictions. Peyton Manning is flying high after overcoming his own personal demons to make this appearance. The Colts as a whole are determined to finish what they started. In their way, stand the Bears. They will not give this game to the Colts willingly, for they too are looking to finish their season as Champions. The question at hand is how will Peyton Manning’s offense stand up to the Bears defense? Quite honestly, I think he will hold up just fine. The Bears may have a fierce defense, but Manning has seen it before…and only a few weeks ago. Let us not forget that Peyton Manning was able to get enough yards against the #1 Ravens defense to allow Adam Vinatieri to pick them apart. I expect he will do the same against the Bears. The Colts will move the ball, and they will score against the Bears, but can the Bears offense respond in turn? Unfortunately for the Bears, I think the Colts #2 pass defense will haunt Rex Grossman for the full 60 minutes! This won’t go unnoticed by Lovie Smith as he will try to take the game out of Grossman’s hands and get Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson to establish a run game. To bad the Colts found their run defense.

Peyton Manning hoists the Vince Lombardi Trophy
Colts are World Champions!!!

Silver Dragon