COLTS 29 BEARS 17
Well... I didn't have time to post some genius breakdown of the big game PRIOR to the kickoff, but needless to say this result ranks behind only the Red Sox in 2004 and the Tennessee Volunteers in 1998 - in my book anyway.
Results aside, I seriously thought the conditions favored the Bears in this game considering their moderately easy playoff road to the Super Bowl and the weather resembling a typical Chicago November much more than the temperature-controlled enclosure of the domes in Texas and Louisiana (never mind Indianapolis).
The offensive edge was clearly going to be with the Colts despite the Chicago running attack (young, successful but inexperienced). Grossman was always along for the ride, but his defense really made his job easy for most of the year. Manning was unconscious in the regular season but I don't think people realize that his post-season struggles are not out of the ordinary in the NFL. Post-season success, at least CONSISTENT success has been the hallmark of only a select few in history... Montana, Aikman, Brady to name a few of the very few. Elway was fantastic and finished on a pretty high note, but don't forget the years of post-season failure prior to the late 90's dominance. If you play in the post-season, you're gonna see the best of the best and they're bringing their "A" game every time. Question is, NOW who's the "best QB (currently playing)never to win the Super Bowl"? Considering the overwhelming youth in the league at this position it is difficult to say... however, Drew Brees has to be in that discussion along with Steve McNair and once all is said and done, Eli Manning. Sorry little brother...
The defensive edge was not going to be overwhelmingly Chicago's... sure the Colts struggled against the run for PART of the season, but let's not forget that their defense was in the top three for most of the first half of the season in both total and scoring defense. Once "Colonel" Bob Sanders returned from injury, that porous run defense vanished - COMPLETELY. How do you like holding Priest Holmes, Ladanian Tomlinson, Jamal Lewis, and the Chicago twins down in four straight games? OUCH. That's the top 2 rushing leaders in the AFC and 3 of the top 7. DANG!
Special teams was gonna be a push until Chicago's young kicker turned into a steady performer - particularly in the post-season. Chicago clearly had the edge in kick returns with Mr. Hester and Indy had a distinct advantage in the punting game (if there is such a thing!). No one can knock Mr. Vinatieri... sheesh, now the leading FG kicker in Super Bowl history and Mr. Clutch to the New England faithful that still love him, and rightfully so.
Coaching: almost dead even, but Coach Dungy has been through the post-season more and in big games like this that counts for more than the average fan can realize. And if you're reading this far down in this blog, you're not an average fan. You're wise beyond your years!
When all is said and done, my brother-in-law said it best when trying to figure out how in the world Chicago could win this game: "Well, if they could figure out how to get the ball to their running backs and receivers without Rex touching the ball, they'd be in great shape!"
I couldn't agree more.
P.S. I plan to post either links or in-stream video of my two fav super bowl ads of all time. Check back soon! Post your favs!
