Colts and Saints see Sunday very differently

When the Colts and Saints battle for the world championship on Sunday, the teams' themselves and the cities they represent will approach the game from a completely different perspective.

For the Colts, their trip to South Florida can absolutely be described as a business trip. The Colts were the winningest team of the 2000's. Sunday, they will be seeking their second Super Bowl victory in four years. So, for this franchise, anything less than winning the Super Bowl would be considered an abject failure. 19 players on the Colts' roster, including stars: Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark and Dwight Freeney, already possess Super Bowl rings. The Colts have been there and done that.

Everything about the lead up to this year's game is identical to when the Colts defeated the Bears in Super Bowl XLI, at what is now called Sun Life Stadium.  Besides playing in the same venue, the Colts are staying at the same hotel and practicing at the same facility.  Even the very same CBS announcing crew of Jim Nantz and Phil Simms will call this Super Bowl.

On the contrary, the mere existence of the Saints in the Super Bowl, represents a historic feat on many levels.  Unlike the Colts vast "Big Game" experience, the Saints only have four players who have ever played in a Super Bowl.  Also, this is the club's first ever title game appearance in its 43-year history. This is a new world for the majority of people attached to the Saints.

Back in New Orleans, it seems pretty clear that the Saints rabid fan base already considers 2009 a championship season.  This is quite apparent by the city's scheduling of a team parade on Tuesday, regardless of who wins on Sunday.  While the team is focused on winning, the Saints know their fans are in love with them either way.

Since the devastation left by Hurricane Katrina, the people of the Bayou have rallied around the Saints, as a source of civic pride and rejuvenation.  The team has answered by finally giving the city a Super Bowl appearance. New Orleans has hosted nine Super Bowls, played of course by other teams from other cities.  This season, instead of being the destination of champions, they are one step away from being champions of their own.