Topic: Super Bowl XLIV (Saints vs Colts)

Saints (15-3) vs. Colts (16-2)

In Brief:
Last meeting: Peyton Manning threw three touchdown passes as the Colts handled the Saints with ease in a 41-10 home victory on Kickoff Weekend in 2007.
Series: The series is even at 5-5.
Last week: The Colts held the Jets' top-ranked rushing attack to 86 yards in a 30-17 win at home. ... The Saints advanced on the leg of Garret Hartley, whose 40-yarder in overtime sealed the 31-28 win over Minnesota.

Keep your eye on ...

A potential shootout: Only one player threw for more touchdowns than Manning (33) in the regular season -- Drew Brees, with a league-leading 34. Indy's second-ranked passing offense will be pitted against the Saints' 26th-ranked pass defense, while the Saints' fourth-ranked aerial attack will contend with the 14th-ranked pass defense of the Colts. There should be no shortage of touchdowns through the air in this one.

The experience factor: Much of the attention will be focused on Manning attempting to cement his legacy with a second Lombardi Trophy, but the Colts have a number of important players who were with the team for Super Bowl XLI. Among the Colts players who own Super Bowl rings are Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Gary Brackett, Dwight Freeney, Robert Mathis and Jeff Saturday. The Saints, on the other hand, have limited Super Bowl experience. Randall Gay played in two of the Patriots' four visits to the big game, starting against the Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX, while Darren Sharper was a rookie with the Packers when they lost to the Broncos following the 1997 season.

Speed vs. speed: With the likes of Reggie Bush and Devery Henderson, the Saints field one of the quickest offenses in the league. But the Colts counter with a defense that relies more on its speed than it does size. The Colts have young legs in the likes of WRs Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon, but they will have to be wary of ball-hawking Saints safety Sharper, who can still find that extra gear in his 13th season.

Did you know?

The last time both No. 1 seeds reached the Super Bowl was 1993 when the Cowboys defeated the Bills 30-13. ... The Saints are making their first Super Bowl apperance in the franchise's 44-year history. ... Dating back to when the franchise was in Baltimore, all four of the Colts' Super Bowl appearances have taken place in Miami.