VS.
Former Tide Star Anderson Looks to Win "Big One" in Rookie Season
In 2005 when Mark Anderson was a senior on the Alabama football team he was a very good college player. That said, nobody could have expected the rookie season he has had for the NFC champion Chicago Bears, who are currently 15-3.
Anderson has a total of 13 sacks this season and and finished 2nd in the NFL defensive rookie of the year voting to an old Alabama teammate, Houston Texans rookie DeMeco Ryans. Unlike Ryans however, Anderson was drafted by a team that was ready to make a Super Bowl run this year.
Tomorrow evening, Anderson's Bears will meet the Indianapolis Colts, 15-4, in Super Bowl XLI. While Anderson is the only former Bama player in the game, it certainly has an SEC feel. Some of the games biggest players, Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, a Tennessee grad, Colts running back Joseph Addai, an LSU grad and Bears quarterback Rex Groomsman, who is a former Florida Gator will play crucial roles in deciding the winner of the Lombardi Trophy.
While most experts have picked the Colts to win, a 7 point favorite in most betting lines, I am not ready to give the Colts the trophy just yet. I could certainly see coach Lovie Smith getting the better of his best friend and Colts coach Tony Dungy tomorrow night. Let's break down the game.
When the Colts have the ball:
Both teams best units will be on display here. The Colts great O vs. the Bears stingy D. Something has to give. Certainly the Colts offense featuring the best quarterback in the game, two quality running backs, great wide receivers, and a fast sure handed tight end makes most defensive coordinators pull their hair out.
That said, I think the Bears defense is good enough to slow down Manning and the Colts offense. The questions are while the Bears D is great, is it good enough to shut down Manning and his buddies? Also, will Manning (finally in the Super Bowl) try to snap out of his postseason slump, do too much, and not play his best game? This will be a great match up to watch.
Advantage: Colts (by a very small margin)
When the Bears have the ball:
As stated both teams strengths are on the other side of the ball. Bears QB Rex Grossman started the season red hot but cooled off as the year went on. Depending on the day, Grossman can either be great or awful (lately it has been mostly awful) and for that reason many have questioned if he is the worst quarterback to ever play in the Super Bowl. The Bears offense usually goes as Grossman goes and he will need to play well, or at least not turn the ball over, for the Bears to have a chance.
The Colts defense, which ranked dead last against the run most of the year, has made a turnaround in its three playoff games. The Colts D held the Chiefs and Ravens to under 10 points in the first two playoff games, but did give up 34 against the Patriots two weeks ago. If the Bears running attack of Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson can get going early and take some pressure off Grossman, it might be a long day for the Colts.
Advantage: Colts (This could change if Grossman has one of his good games)
Special Teams:
Special teams usually play a huge role in this game and the Colts do have the most clutch playoff kicker of all time, Adam Vinatieri. While there is only one Vinatieri, the Bears Robbie Gould has been great all year and kicked a game winning field goal in the playoffs against the Seahawks. The Colts also have a good punter in Hunter Smith. That really does not matter though, as I could be the punter as long as Vinatieri is the kicker, the Colts get the nod.
Advantage: Colts
Coaching/Overall:
Best friends, both Lovie Smith and Tony Dungy are very good coaches. This being the fist time a black coach has been in the game I am sure they will enjoy themselves. I see coaching as a toss up as neither has been in this situation before.
Advantage: Push
Prediction:
This should be a great game as both teams are very good. While most experts predict the Colts to win by a touchdown or more, I see a much closer game. I think it will come down to special teams and who does not turn the ball over. No matter the winner I expect to see a great game tomorrow night.
I realize I gave the Colts an advantage in all three categories but I am going with the underdog Bears and my boy Mark Anderson for the most important piece of the puzzle...the final score. I am going against all the experts and think Robbie Gould will hit a game winning FG to give the Bears the Lombardi Trophy.
Nick's Pick: Bears 27 Colts 24
No comments:
Post a Comment