Quick look: It is fitting that Peyton Manning and Drew Brees meet in the Super Bowl, because they were the best quarterbacks in the NFL this season and the players who finished first and second in the voting for NFL Most Valuable Player.
Brees quarterbacked the Saints to their first Super Bowl appearance by leading the league in passer rating (109.6) and completion percentage (70.6), and by throwing more touchdown passes (34) than anyone.
He got a little help from his friends in the backfield — Pierre Thomas, Mike Bell and Reggie Bush — as the Saints went from the 28th-ranked run game in the NFL to the sixth. Overall, they had the top-ranked offense in the league.
The Saints' offensive brilliance could be overshadowed by the Colts' offensive efficiency. No quarterback operated his offense quite like Manning.
No disrespect to Brees, but who better to lead his team in a Super Bowl than Manning? He now has seven 300-yard passing performances in postseason games — more than any player in NFL history. Plus, he is the only four-time Most Valuable Player.
The Colts can be somewhat of a one-dimensional offense, however, and the Saints will try to take advantage of the Colts' sporadic running game. The Saints' defense is best against the pass, as they held opposing quarterbacks to a 68.6 passer rating. Free safety Darren Sharper tied for the league lead in interceptions with nine, and he ranks sixth in history with 63 career picks.
The Colts have been revived defensively this season by new coordinator Larry Coyer. In fact, both defenses have a first-year defensive coordinator, as the Saints' defense is run by the aggressive Gregg Williams.
Key stat: Second-year Saints kicker Garrett Hartley has 26 career attempts. Nineteenth-year Colts kicker Matt Stover has 563 career attempts.
Key matchup: Saints left tackle Jermon Bushrod vs. Colts right end Dwight Freeney. Containing Freeney will be a high priority for the Saints, and they won't be able to do it with Bushrod alone. They will need to give him plenty of help, as they did against Minnesota's Jared Allen. If not, it could be a long day for Brees.
Early pick: Colts 34, Saints 31.