The Diary of a Fantasy Virgin - Week 21 Feb 6, 2010 | More

The final game of the year is here. It is the Colts of Indianapolis against the Saints of New Orleans. The Super Bowl has evolved and in this era it is all about the glam. The pomp. The circumstance. It actually is a very entertaining version of my college graduation. What else can you do but watch? As usual, I will write this year the case for each team and then end it with my prediction.

The case for the New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints begin and end their team hanging on the arm of Drew Brees. As that crazy cat goes, so goes the Saints. The key to the Saints is the diversity of offense. The Saints averaged over 400 yards per game in offense in 2009, and that led the league. They did not have a 1,000-yard rusher and they barely had a 1,000-yard receiver (Marques Colston, 1,074). This diversity will serve them well as a well-balanced offense keeps defenses trying to cover everything at once which is an impossibility.

The Saints defense is right out of the bend-but-don’t-break model that has worked in the past. The defense was ranked 25^th overall in the league in 2009, but it seems to make the right play at the right time when it matters the most.

The Saints have an emotional backstory. Through the prism of the ninth ward post Katrina, the story unfolds and tugs at emotional heartstrings. The dearth of the ninth ward acts as a 180 degree reflection of a joyous up swell of emotions as the team becomes a rallying point for a city affected by a combination of providence and neglect.

Most importantly, the Saints have forever cast aside their history of the ‘Aints. In 1980, the Saints started out 0-14 and finished 1-15. I remember those days and the idea of the New Orleans Saints going to the Super Bowl was preposterous.

The case for the Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts have Peyton Manning and you don’t. It isn’t that Manning is one of the best quarterbacks of all time (he is). It isn’t that he is the hardest working quarterback off the field (I heard this is true). It is the fact that in game, he makes the right decision at the right time in a quicker manner than most. The game actually slows down while for others it speeds up.

The Colts have a better overall defense than New Orleans coming in at No. 18. But the team is hindered by Dwight Freeney’s ankle, and this will help out the Saints’ offensive line. Without having to double team Freeney, you have a situation where one extra guy can be made available on the Saints to do whatever.

The Colts have a legacy to craft as well. They won Super Bowl XLI and it is close enough to this Super Bowl to make a dynasty.

The biggest point is that the Colts made the New York Jets defense, which was ranked No. 1 in the league against the pass, quite mediocre.

The Verdict?

The passing of Manning vs. the bend-but-don’t-break New Orleans Saints defense.

The passing of Brees vs. the quick defense of Indianapolis.

I go with the robotic self-learning nature of the Manning-led offense. What starts as a snowball evolves into an avalanche. And all will be rent asunder.

See you in August!

Have a safe spring and summer.

Master D.

Tim can now be reached at tdavoll@fantasysharks.com and welcomes your opinions on the Diary of a Fantasy Virgin Articles.