Saints Win Super Bowl XLIV

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Congradulations to the New Orleans Saints on winning their first Super Bowl in franchise history, defeating the Indianapolis Colts 31-17.

Tracy Porter sealed the win after intercepting Peyton Manning and returning it 74 yards for a touchdown with 3:14 left in the game.

The Saints, led by who else but Drew Brees, overcome an early ten point deficit.  After a slow start, Brees was flawless in the last three-quarters shredding the Colts secondary en route to winning Super Bowl MVP honors.

With the loss Peyton Manning now has a 9-9 career playoff record.

The party is on New Orleans and its’ not stopping any time soon.

The streets will ring all night long with the chant of “Who dat? Who dat? Who dat say dey gunna beat them Saints?”

Well, after tonight’s game we can say that no one is gunna beat the Saints, at least this year.

Plenty of Super Bowl images after the jump.

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Super Bowl XLIV Prediction

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Peyton Manning has reached the status that not many athletes haven ever accomplished.

Peyton is on the same level only M.J. and Montana were in their primes.

You just don’t bet against them in a big game.

Early in his career Peyton mad a reputation for choking in the playoffs and never coming up big when it mattered most.

Since that 2006 Super Bowl run, Peyton has been a different quarterback.

One who is playing his best football this year at age 33 and one I want no part in betting against this week.

Sure the Saints are playing for the city of New Orleans and that all sounds great, but in reality that means nothing once the whistle blows.

The Saints are a good team.  They’re just not in the same class as the Colts. 

Peyton Manning Gives Edge to Colts

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We should all be rooting for the Saints.

Their roster is truly fantastic, riddled with talented players, an explosive offense, elite coaching and one of the games dominant and most likable quarterbacks.

They have a passionate, dedicated fan base, capable and willing to consistently fill the Superdome to its 72,000+ person capacity on a weekly basis. They’ve brought this support without fail for over 40 years, despite not winning a single playoff game till the year 2000. They have been one of the NFL’s most embarrassing franchises for the majority of their existence.

Ever see a fan of an atrocious team wearing a brown paper bag over their head? That started in New Orleans, the year the Saints lost their first 14 games.

And then, of course, there was Hurricane Katrina, that terrible, horrific storm that affected, changed, and took the lives of so many. Katrina was able to simultaneously remind us all how silly yet necessary sports truly are.

In a time when rebuilding homes and lives was a necessity, these Saints were able to provide that superficial yet wonderful feeling that turns young men and women to sports in the first place. They provided hope.

And for that alone, the entire world should be rooting for the New Orleans Saints to be Super Bowl Champions.

But it’s not going to happen.

For the Colts have Peyton Manning.

Sick of Super Bowl Story Lines

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It’s finally almost Sunday and frankly I can’t wait.

No, I’m not that excited about the big game or the Tim Tebow commercial.

I’m excited to stop hearing the same thing over and over again on every media outlet.

Once 6:25 comes and the opening kickoff takes place we can finally stop hearing the same story lines shoved down out throats over and over again.

Part of the blame is due to the two-week layoff between the Conference Championship and Super Bowl, but it’s mostly the fault of lazy producers who don’t want to work.

In case you’ve somehow managed to avoid them, here are all of them one last time for you:

1. Peyton Manning is a Football God

We get it, Peyton Manning is the best.  He figured out Rex Ryan’s defense and put on a clinic in the second half.  He’s the smartest quarterback to ever play the game.  A win on Sunday puts him among the elite.

2. It would mean so much for the city of New Orleans if the Saints win

I’m all for the city of New Orleans rallying around the Saints after Katrina, but there’s a certain point where I just can’t take it anymore.  I know the players have become a part of the community and the city has embraced the team.  Can we just play football?

3. Dwight Freeney’s Ankle

The most talked about body part in the entire world.  Even more so than Brett Favre’s shoulder last off season.  Here’s what’s going to happen.  He’s not going to start on Sunday.  If he plays, he’ll play on passing downs and try to make impact there.

4. Archie Manning used to play for the Saints

The best quarterback in Saints history now has to choose against his former team and his son.  I think that’s an easy one for him.  Please CBS don’t bombarded us with ten shots of the Manning family box.  No one cares.

5. The Colts’ Young Receivers

The Colts passing game is more than just Dallas Clark and Reggie Wayne.  Enter Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie, who had their coming out part against the scraps the Jets threw out there at cornerback in the AFC Championship Game.  No one had heard of these guys before the season – except real fans – and now they’re Super Bowl darlings.

6. Drew Brees vs. Peyton Manning

What a matchup!  Two of the best quarterbacks in the game squaring off in the biggest game on the biggest stage.  Too bad they each have nothing to do with how the other will fare.

Super Bowl XLIV Prop Bets

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Tired of betting on the point spread and the over under?

Well, the Super bowl has you covered.  The good folks over at Bodog have unveiled their onslaught of prop bets for Super Sunday and there should be something for everyone.  From player props to teams to props to pretty much anything you can imagine.  If you can think of it, odds are Bodog has it.

The number of prop bets available may be intimating, so I took the time to give you my recommendations of which bets to play.

How long will it take Carrie Underwood to sing the National Anthem?

Over/Under: 1 minute 42 seconds

Take the Under (-160).  That’s a longer time than you think and Carrie Underwood won’t be stretching out the end like Aretha Franklin would.

What Color will the Gatorade be that is dumped on the Head Coach of the Winning Super Bowl Team?

Yellow                                       4/5

Clear/Water                               9/5

Orange                                      11/2

Lime Green                               8/1

Red                                          10/1

Blue                                          25/2

Take Yellow at 10/13 odds.  I do like Blue as a sleeper pick especially if the Colts win.

What side of the ball will the Players that perform the Gatorade Shower be from?

Offensive: +140

Defensive: -170

Take Defensive (-170).  You’d figure the offensive would be on the field taking a knee when the Gatorade Shower takes place.

How Many Times will CBS show Eli Manning on TV during the Game?

Over/Under: 3

Take the Over of 3 (-190).  This is a safer bet than the 4 they have listed for Archie Manning.

How Many Times will CBS announcers fully mention Hurricane Katrina during the game?

Over/Under: 2.5

Take the Under at 2.5 (+140).  Rarely do people mention it as Hurricane Katrina.

What color top will Kim Kardashian be wearing at the Super Bowl?

Black                                        6/5

White                                        13/4

Any Other Color                         5/4

Take Black with the 6/5 odds.  I’d guess she’d be wearing Reggie’s jersey or a black top.

Will a member of the Who smash a guitar on stage during the half time show?

Yes: +150

No: -180

Definitely take Yes at (+150).  This is the Super Bowl.  The Who are going to try to relive the glory days here.

Sidney Crosby Points (vs. Capitals) vs. Drew Brees’ Interceptions

Pick’em

Take Sid the Kid.  I don’t see Drew throwing more than one pick.

Kim Kardashian’s boyfriend (Reggie Bush) rushing yards, or Khloe’s husband (Lamar Odom) points/rebounds/assists?

Pick’em

Go with Khlodom.  Reggie won’t do anything on Sunday and if he does it won’t be on the ground.

Top 10 Super Bowl Commericals

Estimates say that more people will watch the Super Bowl for the commercials than the actual game.

While I question that assertion, it’s fair to say commercials are a big part of the Super Bowl.

They get plenty of talk before the big game and after.  This year is no different with the controversial Tim Tebow ad and the gay dating site ad that was rejected.

Reports say that some 30 seconds ads went for more three million dollars this year.  Even in a recession, Super Bowl ads are not taking a hit proving their staying power.

Here’s a look at the ten most memorable Super Bowl Commercials:

10. Wardrobe Malfunction

2005- A year after the most memorable halftime show in Super Bowl history, which has ruined halftimes show ever since, we find out what really caused that memorable wardrobe malfunction.

9. Bud Bowl II

1989-Who ya got?  Budweiser or Bud Light? I’ll take Bud Light and the points.

8. Terry Tate Office Linebacker

2003- Maye big corporations should take a hint from this commercial and hire Terry Tate to increase productivity in the workplace.  I know I’d be a lot more motivated if I knew Terry Tate was going to take me out in a moments notice if took too long of a break.

7. Miller Light Catfight

2003- This commercial sparked a world of controversy and debate and some complaints from the FCC..  You can never go wrong with two girls  fighting in a pool while they’re half naked.  More taste or less filling?  I still can’t decide.   

Super Bowl X-Factors

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The Super Bowl is only a few days away and while much attention has been on the stars – Peyton Manning, Drew Brees – it’s often the the lesser know players who step up and make a huge impact.  Players such as Deion Branch, Dexter Jackson, and Santonio Holmes have taken home Super Bowl MVP honors in recent years and one of these guys listed below might be the next guy in this list.

Robert Meachem

In his third year in the league, Meachem has finally broken out.  He finished third on the Saints in receiving and tied for the team lead in touchdowns.  He also led the team in yards per catch, averaging 16 yards per catch.  However, Meachem has been quiet in the playoffs and has only recorded two catches in two games.  The Saints will need to score at least 30 points if they want to win this game and a big play from Meachem would go a long way in making that happen.

Austin Collie

While Pierre Garcon got most of the media attention after his big game versus the Jets two weeks ago, Collie was not far behind.  He finished with seven catches for 126 yards and a score and his 46 yard catch at the end of the first half really got the Colts offense going.  The Saints have more corner depth than the Colts so I wouldn’t expect another huge game for Collie, but the slot receiver will be working the middle of the field and convert third downs extending drives for the Colts.