Colts and Saints punch their tickets for Miami

After four preseason games, 16 regular season games and three rounds of playoffs, the Super Bowl matchup is finally set.  The AFC Champion Indianapolis Colts will face the NFC Champion New Orleans Saints, February 7 in Miami.

The Colts capped their stellar season by defeating the New York Jets 30-17, after trailing 17-6 in the 2nd quarter.  NFL MVP Peyton Manning threw for 377 yards and 3 TD. 

The Colts will appear in the Super Bowl for the second time in four years. They defeated the Chicago Bears 29-17 in Super Bowl XLI.  Ironically, the game also took place in Miami.

The Saints clinched their first ever trip to the Super Bowl by defeating the Minnesota Vikings 31-28 in overtime.  The Vikings outgained the Saints by 218 yards, but lost the game as a result of committing five turnovers. 

The Saints will no doubt be the sentimental Super Bowl pick because of the tremendous suffering the city of New Orleans experienced after Hurricane Katrina.  The Big Easy possesses an absolute love affair with the Saints.  This infatuation has grown to an unprecedented level in the years since the horrific disaster.  The Saints truly embody the renaissance that has taken place in the Bayou.

The Colts open up as a four-point favorite in Super Bowl XLIV.  Indy's dominant storyline will center on the fact that Peyton Manning was born and raised in New Orleans.  He grew up in Louisiana because his father Archie served as the Saints' quarterback from 1971-1982.

Sit back, relax and enjoy the two weeks of hype that is the Super Bowl.