SAINTS WILL BE MANNING THE LIFEBOATS

This Sunday/Monday's Superbowl features the top two teams in the US,  the New Orleans Saints and the Indianapolis Colts and the PG have signed up Stateside expert Scott Silver to review the big game...
What a game we are in for, folks, with two teams who went untouched in the regular season before resting their starters in the final month.
Both teams blew away their first opponents in the play-offs, but had a tougher time in the semi-finals.
If you are thinking of missing the game, you could be alone. Last week’s semi-final between New Orleans and the Minnesota Vikings was not only one of the best play-off games ever, it was the most-watched TV show in the last 20 years in America, beating even the final episode of
Seinfeld!
Last year's Superbowl was incredible – a Steelers touchdown on the last play of the game to beat the shocked Arizona Cardinals.
This year, we're looking for the game to match the format that has won us big on EVERY SUPERBOWL in the last seven years – the favourite wins the game, the underdog keeps it close.
Yes, the Saints have the karma, with the entire world (outside of Indianapolis) rooting for them after what Hurricane Katrina did to their city. But the excitement of going to their first-ever Superbowl might also be their curse. The hype is too big, their eyes too wide. Only a few of the Saints have ever played in a final, and once they settle down, they could be down by 14 points. They will have to deal with the unnatural start time, the delay between warm-ups and pre-game festivities and the extended halftime entertainment (The Who). The Colts have been through all this already.
This game features the game’s two best quarterbacks, Drew Brees of the Saints and the Colts’ Peyton Manning.  Brees has had an amazing few years, racking up yards like a Manning and touchdowns like a Manning (this is starting to sound like a VW Golf commercial). Yes, Brees is doing his best to emulate Manning, but there is only one Manning. (Actually, we lied. There are three Mannings. Peyton's brother Eli throws for the New York Giants, and their father Archie was a longtime quarterback of these same Saints, although back then they were called the Ain’ts cuz they Ain’t got no points on the board!
Manning not only has won a Superbowl, but he just picked up his fourth league Most Valuable Player award (Brees finished second). Manning knows that another trophy or two could put him above Joe Montana as the best-ever. I personally think Manning is the best already. He is the only quarterback who calls his own plays – he waits to see what the defence is doing AND THEN calls the play. The man is an absolute genius. 
Last week, he spent the first half taking in what the New York Jets were doing defensively, and then, his team down by 11 points, ran up 30 unanswered points without a sweat.
Neither of these teams have much of a running game to speak of, both are pass-happy, which should make for great viewing. Both defences play hard, although the Colts are a bit faster, the Saints a bit bigger. The game is being played outdoors in Miami, so kicking could be a factor in a close game.
I just don't see how Peyton Manning can lose this game. He has a lot more big-game experience as well as a title on his resumé. He’s playing at a level right now where he may just be unstoppable. So get the chili cooking, get the fridge full of beer, and tell the boss you'll be in late Monday!
Picks
I like the Colts to build a big lead, take their foot off the gas, letting the Saints score at the end, but still winning the game between 7 and 12 points (winning margin 7-12 @ 4/1).
Colts to win at 5/11
The point spread is 5.5 (evens) but we will be taking a three-point teaser to get the spread over seven points
Three-point teaser (Saints + 8.5) = 1/2.
Other Lines
Saints to win outright 9/5.