WHO DAT? my Super Bowl rundown.

Yes, America. Who Dat? The Saints will be marching on the field in Miami this Sunday, and I can't be more excited. Now, as a New England fan, the thought of any Manning in a Super Bowl is utterly sickening. What sickens me more is the fact that that's all we are hearing about. I can't work out at the gym and enjoy my usual treadmill in front of the TV that airs the NFL Network year-round because each time I look up, I see Peyton Manning's cocky face.

Football fans new and old, prepare for less pre-game coverage and media stories swirling around not only the marvelous city of New Orleans and how they have finally made it to the big dance after many hard years of poor seasons and natural disasters, and more talk of Archie Manning. Archie Manning, who yes was a two time Pro Bowler, but the media seems to leave out that he had one of the worst all time records as a QB in NFL history. I refuse to sit through more Manning family coverage of Archie, Peyton, Eli, and the forgotten child, Cooper. What's with the media's obsession of this family?

I'm hoping that these commentators and pregame shows focus on the game facts like Indy actually has a secondary, and that this is no longer a team that relies on a cover-2. Despite the fact that Freeney's condition is still up in the air, even I, the biggest Colts/Manning hater can't take anything away from this team. That being said, the Saints O-Line has been phenomenal this year and has given Brees amazing protection in the pocket allowing him to hit Bush or Henderson deep. Brees and the Saints have a ton of weapons to utilize. Brees takes many chances and this season, has capitalized and crushed opponents. It will be exciting to see this matchup of Saints offense v Indy Defense.

Now the Indy offense v Saints Defense. I won't even talk about the amazing Indy offense. I just can't. Everyone on the planet knows how amaaaaaaazing Manning is. Just ask his boyfriend Greg Gumbel. In all seriousness, you know Manning is going to throw. The Colts offense was 30th in rushing yards this season. The entire Indy offense is centered around Manning's no huddle...which another downside for Indy is that Saints fans are expected to vastly outnumber Colts fans, so noise could be a factor for the all mighty Mr. Manning. He loves to throw to Clark and Wayne. Anyone who has ever watched a Colts game could tell you that. Unexpectedly, rookie, Austin Collie got many throws from Manning during the AFC Championship game and I think New Orleans has prepared for Manning to consider Collie as an additional threat along with Wayne, Addai and Clark.

That being said, the Saints D thrives on their ability to force turnovers. They led the league this year in defensive turnovers....I wish I would have drafted that DEF for fantasy football..in any case. In addition to leading in defensive points, they have 141 points in points after takeaways.....that is just ridiculous. I never expected this franchise to go from being horrifyingly miserable, to barely average, to .500, to NFC champion, and with any luck, Super Bowl champ.

Who Dat? Believe me. I'm hoping for the Saints and their fans to march into Miami and unleash their fury upon the Colts and their smug, "fearless" leader. All in all, this Super Bowl
is probably the best matchup any football fan could have asked for because legitimately the best two teams are playing. As expected, the betting line on this game is even, and the over is high. I'm predicting a win by the Saints. I don't think this will be an entirely close game, although I think it will remain close until about the 3rd quarter where I'm praying for Manning and his infamous and uncreative (thank you Jim Kelly) no huddle offense to make bad decisions and have the fans decked in beads, fleur-de-lis, black and gold on their feet dancing. I'm sure some of them will be wearing Archie Manning jerseys which is just ironic, but I digress.

This will be not a "cinderella" tale like my boys 8 years ago today. (I still love you Adam.) I hope Saints fans get to have memories like I have. The sheer joy that ran through my body when Law intercepted Warner, Vinatieri's kick was good....the look on Brady's face as the confetti fell, Belicheck's grinning face...was unbelievable, unforgettable, and irreplaceable. So Saints fans, bring it to Miami, bring your noise and your years of frustration and scream your hearts out....because the best defense against Peyton Manning is taking his head out of the game. Nothing would make me happier than to see Manning crumble and buckle and to see Saints fans rejoice and enjoy their first Super Bowl victory as I got to 8 years ago today. The sweetness of that night has never gone away for me, and I don't think it ever will.

I'm usually not the type to root for the underdog, I'm a Yankees fan..let's be honest. In this case, I don't think the Saints themselves are the underdog, but their franchise. It would be glorious to see a new chapter in their history book....and to see a blemish on the career of Manning.