Saints vs Colts at the Superbowl

This has been an aggravating day. The Jets lost, and then the massive upset with the Vikings losing as well.

Considering how the Jets played against the Chargers last week it is no major shock that they lost today. They played a poor game, and let the Colts control the tempo of the game. Much of the loss can be blamed on the inexperience of quarterback Sanchez (though the late hit he took in the second half that the refs ignored didn't help). Given the added experience of another season Sanchez will likely grow into a NFL quarterback of contention, but this was not his post-season. A shame though, since he looked ready to go all the way in the first half.

More upseting is the loss of the Vikings. Even with the 2 interceptions of Farve, the only conclusion has to be that the rest of the offense let him down. The flurry of fumbles cost the Vikings 3 chances to score and win the game. Not to mention several questionable penalties, and a couple that were just blatantly bad plays.

Farve took hits all game long. He was being hit like a ping pong ball. And the game surely would have been different if he was getting more protection. Still, you have to admire his resolve to stay in the game and keep going. His will and the defense made all the differnce.

But you just have to be pissed off when you consider that the Viking s controlled the ball over 35 minutes of the game before overtime. They cleared over 450 yards in over 75 plays and held the Saints for about 77 yards in the second half. To say the Vikings dominated the game in all but the score would be an understatement.

So looking forward what can we see?

The Colts will be the favorites. I'd say by 7 maybe 10 points. They are more experienced, have been in the big game before, and looked more in control than when compared to the Saints today. Given that this is the first time that the Saints have made it to the Super Bowl, and that alone is motivation to win.

While I will of course watch the game, I really could care less who wins. Neither the Saints nor Colts are teams I ever have cared about. They are not major teams that have hordes of fans, like say the Giants, Dallas, even Miami. But they are more followed than the Browns (outside of Cleveland), the Lions, or say the Jaguars. Still, I have no motivation to pick either for the win.

I imagine the Super Bowl this year will be a blowout game. Not quite as bad as the Bears vs the Patriots (a 46-10 rout that was just embarrassing to watch). But it won't be close either.

In a way it will be the perfect game to symbolize the year that has passed. Fewer Super Bowl commercials with less flair. Lesser teams that have smaller followings. A promise of a new chapter for one team, with a far more experienced team waiting for the chance to pounce. Plus fans that will watch just because they have no better option available.

Indeed, Super Bowl XLIV (44 if you don't recall Roman numerals) is exactly what 2009 was. At least this year we can look forward to the World Cup (though the US won't come close to winning that either).