Every Super Bowl, there is always a handful of players who make game changing plays. Here are the five impact players who will play a major role in the outcome of Super Bowl XLIV.
Drew Brees
Just like the Colts, the Saints reached Super Bowl XLIV thanks to the outstanding performance of their quarterback. Though Brees was able to put up MVP caliber numbers during the season, he has stepped up his game in the playoffs.
Through two games, he has earned a 109.6 QB rating by completing 64.3% of his passes for 444 yards with six touchdowns and zero interceptions. The one area of concern for Saints fans has to be the two fumbles during the playoffs.
The time has come for Brees to step up and show he can be an elite quarterback when the championship is on the line. Brees should have a field day against the Colts secondary if he is able to avoid the Colts’ rush.
Peyton Manning
If the Indianapolis Colts are going to come away with their second Super Bowl win in four years, you can be sure that Manning’s success will be one of the reasons.
So far during the 2010 NFL playoffs, Manning has earned a 104.5 QB rating by completing 67.4% of his passes for 623 yards with five touchdowns and one interception.
The one area of concern for Manning is the four sacks he has taken during the last two games. During the regular season, Manning was only brought down 10 times. The Saints will need to find away to put pressure on Manning even if they only bring four players on certain plays.
You can count Manning to get out to a slow start as he tries to exploit the holes in the Saints’ defense. If the game can remain close through the first half, Manning and company should be able to put some serious points up on the board in the second half.
Robert Mathis
With the injury to defensive stud Dwight Freeney, the Colts need someone to step up. Mathis who has been an underrated force on the defensive line is the right person for the job.
During the 2009 regular season, Mathis recorded 9.5 sacks and 3 forced fumbles for the Colts. Colts fans need to be concerned with the dip in Mathis’ production towards the latter part of the season.
Mathis will need to find a way to maintain the pressure on Drew Brees and make sure he does not have all the time in the world to throw a pass. If Mathis is able to make a big play or two, it will go along way to securing a Colts Super Bowl win.
Darren Sharper
While all of the talk about the Saints’ defense has been their brash coordinator Greg Williams, the real reason for their turn around was the addition of Darren Sharper.
Sharper had a career year hauling in nine interceptions and scoring three defensive touchdowns. Sharper is the main reason the Saints have been able to maintain a + 16 turnover ratio in the regular season and + 6 in the post season.
If the Saints are going to come away with the upset, Sharper is going to need to make a big play or two early in the game. Expect to hear the announcers call his name a lot, especially when the Colts try to go over the middle of the field.
Indianapolis Colts Running Backs
Though the Colts are primarily a passing game, their success in Super Bowl XLIV will largely be determined by how well Joseph Addai and Donald Brown are able to run the ball.
The two have run for 131 yards on 39 carries during the post season, averaging only 3.3 yards per carry. While they have found less success in the post season, there is a ray of light for Colts fans.
The Saints defense has been susceptible to the run, allowing 122.2 rushing yards per game during the regular season. If Brown and Addai are able to run effectively, this will slow down the Saints defensive schemes. That prospect would give Manning more time to work his magic and dissect the Saints’ secondary.
