Okay, so the game is coming up this week. Indy and New Orleans. Let me tell you how its going to go.
First half will be a bit of a shootout. Both teams will have little trouble moving the ball between the 20's and I think we'll go into halftime, 17-10, Indy. Both teams will have long drives. I don't expect much in the way of turnovers, maybe one a piece. Both teams can take care of the ball, and if Indy's receivers can stay on the same page with Manning and run the correct routes, he won't be throwing any picks.
The New Orleans will come out the second half and score, probably a field goal. That will be it. Indy hasn't allowed a point in the second half this offseason. Indy will score a couple of times.
They have also been able to hold strong running teams to insignificant ground games in both of their playoff games. Now yes, these were basically one dimensional teams who could only run and didn't have some of the skills that New Orleans has. But don't expect to see New Orleans having a brilliant day on the ground.
And that all out attack of the QB that New Orleans has been working throughout the playoffs won't have a chance. Manning will check down, run screens, and use short drops to get rid of the ball. He'll be ready for it. He'll have the correct protection called. New Orleans simply doesn't have a defensive mastermind like Belicheck to keep Manning guessing. Which also means you won't see any of that throwing cross body to the left side of the field by rolling right.
In the end, you'll have Indianapolis 27 and New Orleans 13.
