It's weird. Every team I wanted to avoid making it to the big game has indeed faltered in the second season. The Eagles and Bois left the dance before the conference title games and I rooted against both road dogs in the title games. However, I think this has left me, and possibly others in my position, with a profound sense of sports emptiness heading into the big game. I suppose I will root for Peyton because I like him and will root against Shockey because I can't stand that tatted up douchebag. But at the end of the day, I just don't have strong feelings for either team. Yea, I'm going to a Superbowl party at which I will be about four degrees of separation from the actual host of said party; but I just can't get into it. Still, a pick needs to be written so without further adieu......

Superbowl XLIV

The New Orleans Saints (15-3) vs. The Indianapolis Colts (15-2) (-5)-I heard a very flimsily bit of analysis by I believe someone on Mad Dog Radio's "B-Team" broadcast." I happen to think Mad Dog is great on Sirius and wayyyy better than he ever was on terrestrial radio. Nevertheless,this other dude posited that because Freeny had "not been much of a factor" in the playoffs so far, the impact of his injury is being overblown. My main problem with this argument is it's premise that Freeny hasn't been much of a factor. Plaxico had a very underwhelming season statistically before shooting himself in the foot and his 2008 Giants team in the gut. However, his team was 10-1 after it blew out Baltimore and handled Arizona, two eventual conference finalists, in weeks 11 and 12 respectively. He drew double teams and scared teams away from loading up the box. As we saw in the final five or so games of that season, without Plax, the team's rushing attack was largely curtailed (save a brilliant performance by Derrick Ward against the Panthers) and Eli was lost. The point of all of this was although Plax didn't put up the kind of stats he did from 2005-2007, his 2008 impact was deeply felt both in his presence and in his absence. Believe me, if Dwight Freeny either doesn't play or has little to no mobility on Sunday, the Colts defense will be greatly compromised. Nawlins will no longer have to max protect thereby freeing up a receiver on passing plays. However, something tells me Freeny is going to come up big in this game. I think he will muster the strength to battle through one day of pain for an eternity of glory. (forgive the cliche please... fine well fuck you then) I think this game will have a little bit of that Steelers Cowboys Superbowl XXXI feel to it. The Colts will never really be in significant trouble but the Saints will stay in the game most of the way and maybe even get a backdoor cover. Of course this game has more a 37-27 feel than that 27-17 game between the Bois and Fighting Mahatmas.  I actually think the Saints will get a pick in this game but it won't be enough. The Colts will be smart and eat up the clock with a 2001 Pats like attack... 5 yard downfieeellllld!!!  They won't be able to keep the saints under 20 but I think Peyton will be smart enough to not throw too many bombs thereby allowing the Saints to come right back on the field and hit the home run ball. So in the end of the day, Peyton gets his second ring and Chowdaheads everywhere cry knowing that in the span of 3 months, Derek Jeter and Peyton Manning, aka in Boston as"Osama" and "Sadaam," have won titles. Eat it chowdaheads. THE PICK: COLTS 34- SAINTS 24

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