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Super Bowl XLIV kicks off

Posted on Feb 02, 2010 in Sports

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Super Bowl XLIV, 34, is finally here and couldn’t come fast enough. With two of the best offenses in the NFL going head to head on the biggest stage of the year, the Saints and the Colts have only a few more days to prepare.

So what’s connecting Birmingham to this year’s Super Bowl? That’s right, Jeremy Shockey’s knee. The Saint’s tight end has had knee trouble for some time, and who else but the Birmingham renowned Dr. James Andrews can fix the problem.

Shockey told the Associated Press, “The last two games you guys have seen me play, it wasn’t really me. I was out there on one leg. It felt like being on a pogo stick. This week I’ll have two pogo sticks instead of one.”

In taking a closer look at both teams, only one has a dominating factor. The Saints are sixth in the lead for rushing for the regular season. They rushed a total of 131.6 yards per game. This blows the Colts regular season rushing percentage out of the water. Ranked 32nd overall, the Colts only rushed for 80.9 yards a game.

On the field, both teams are matched pretty evenly. As far as defense goes, it is probable that for both teams this is where the mistakes are going to be made. The Colts, ranked 18th in total defense for the regular season, allowed 339.2 yards a game. Compare this to the Saints, whose defense ranked 25th, as they allowed 357.8 yards a game. Both teams gave up approximately 20 points a game for the regular season.

On the offensive side, four-time MVP, Payton Manning, may appear to be the best quarterback coming into the game, but Drew Brees surprisingly tops Manning in all categories except what can be considered the most important, playoff experience.

For the regular season, Brees is coming into the game ranked number one in touchdowns with 34 and in completion percentage with a 70.6. Manning is ranked at number two in touchdowns with 33, and in completion percentage with a 68.8.

Overall, the Saints are ranked as the number one offense for the regular season with an average of 31.9 points in a game. The Colts are ranked not second, not third, but as the seventh offense in the regular season with an average of 26 points per game.

The Saints are looking to claim their first Super Bowl win in their first appearance, while the Colts are looking for their second win since their victory in 2007. 

Email: lbmil310@uab.edu

 




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