Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer.
Friday, Nov. 29
The Indiana Daily Student

sports

Game features stylistic clash

Indianapolis, Chicago set for Super Bowl bash

WHEN THE COLTS HAVE THE BALL\nEverything starts and revolves around Peyton Manning, the best quarterback of his generation. Surprisingly, Manning has not been outstanding in Indianapolis' run to the AFC championship. But the Bears will count on facing the guy who has torn up the league for most of his career, the one who guided an 80-yard drive to the deciding touchdown in the AFC title game.\nManning has so many weapons that the Bears might need to scrap some of their cover-2 pass defenses and gamble on man coverage. Wide receivers Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne are the most formidable targets, but tight end Dallas Clark has been sensational in the playoffs with a team-high 17 catches for 281 yards. Running backs Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes also are good receivers, and the Colts' running game can serve as a nice complement to Manning's passing.\nOf course, the Bears shut down the NFC's best offense when they beat the Saints for the NFC title. Even without injured tackle Tommie Harris, they stopped runs through the middle as All-Pro linebacker Brian Urlacher and all of the linemen had strong games. Indianapolis must get a surge from center Jeff Saturday and guards Ryan Lilja and Jake Scott to offer some balance on the ground. It's unlikely Addai and Rhodes will have a great impact running to the outside against active ends Adewale Ogunleye and Alex Brown, Urlacher and outside linebacker Lance Briggs.\nIf Indy can protect Manning, particularly when rookie sack-master Mark Anderson is in the game, some deep throws could be open. And the way Reggie Bush abused several DBs on his 88-yard catch-and-run score in the NFC championship match, don't be surprised if the Colts try to spring Addai out of the backfield.

Get stories like this in your inbox
Subscribe