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http://www.omniture.com --> Mail Tribune Blogs --> --> « Super Bowl steelhead Why not more coverage of LNG line? » ‘Sup! Here’s our Super Blog Posted by Tim Trower Here’s what the sports staff has come up with for Super Bowl predictions. Mine was in another blog, so I copied that here. Colts, 31-17 One thing I’m looking at for this game is that the Bears played two home playoff games in sloppy weather on a sloppy field, the kind of conditions they thrive in, both psychologically and because their strength is their defense. One was against a dome team in the Saints who played below their capabilities. I don’t think Chicago’s defense will be as effective away from home in ideal conditions against one of the best quarterbacks and offenses in the game. Missing two of their best defenders in Harris and Brown doesn’t help matters. On offense, there’s no question which team is better. I’ll take Manning and his receivers against the inconsistent Grossman and his much-less-capable stable of ball-catchers every time. It’s easier to go this way since Indy’s defense has really stepped up late in the season. – Tim Trower Chicago 24, Indianapolis 20 The Bears will establish the running game with Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson picking up chunks of yards behind a big offensive line. If the Bears can put together time-consuming drives, it will limit Peyton Manning’s opportunities. The Bears defensive front will put enough pressure on the Colts quarterback to limit his productivity. Brian Urlacher has shown the ability to both cover the pass and come up in run support. Urlacher will be selected the game’s most valuable player. – Frank Silow Colts by 14 Part of me is forced to go with Indianapolis just because there are so many Florida Gators playing for Chicago, but after I think about it, Indy is the logical choice. Rex Grossman is inconsistent, and when you throw in Dwight Freeney coming around to hit an oblivious Grossman, fumbles will ensue. Indy’s defense isn’t that great, but they’ve stepped up in the last few weeks to shut down some quality teams. They’re not a top D, but they’re good enough to shut down Grossman. The Bears No. 1 weapon will be Robbie Gould, I’m sure he’ll be busy. I realize Brian Urlacher is a force to be reckoned with, but Peyton Manning is quick and should be able to get off passes before Urlacher can break through. Urlacher did a good job of defending against New Orleans’ Reggie Bush, but I don’t expect the Colts’ receivers to be shut down by him. Plus, the Bears secondary is still depleted, and at times has looked confused, opening up gaps for Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison to burn them. I can’t predict the score, but it’ll be the Colts by at least 14. Live the Dream. – Carl McCutchen Indianapolis 30, Chicago 20 Having lived in Chicago when the Bears won their last Super Bowl in 1985, this is tough to write. But since there are no Walter Paytons, Richard Dents, Jim McMahons or even Refrigerator Perrys shuffling around the Chicago locker room these days, I’m sure I’ll get over it. The way I see it, the first half will be dull barring a clever commercial or two as both teams try to find their way. I probably will have already spilled cheese dip on the carpet and blamed it on one of my kids as well. The second half, however, will be worth watching as the Colts make the necessary adjustments to put a helmet on Brian Urlacher and Peyton Manning decides NOT to throw the ball to Chicago players. Chicago will score a TD either by special teams or on a defensive return, Robbie Gould will kick two field goals and Rex Grossman won’t hit many passes but at least one will be a deep TD throw. Indy will keep Adam Vinatieri busy as well in the kicking department, with Manning tossing TDs to Reggie Wayne, Marvin Harrison and some eligible lineman who will instantly become the toast of Miami and star in a post-game commercial with Paris Hilton or that time-traveling guy from Heroes. Too much fuss will be made over Manning, who’ll be named MVP, and I’ll eat way, way too many foods that didn’t make it on the food pyramid chart shoved down our throats in elementary school. All in all, it’ll be a good day had by all. – Kris Henry Indianapolis 41, Chicago 10 My favorite quarterback growing up was Bart Starr, but Johnny Unitas was a close second. And Peyton Manning looks eerily similar to Johnny U. The hunched shoulders. The short, choppy steps during scrambles. And, oh yeah, the laser-like arm and supreme accuracy that separate them from their peers. Unitas participated in what some call the greatest game ever played, the Baltimore Colts’ 17-14 overtime win over the New York Giants in the 1958 NFL title game. This game won’t match that one for excitement, because while Manning throws for 339 yards and four touchdowns — three to Marvin Harrison — to further cement his journey to the NFL Hall of Fame, his counterpart, Rex Grossman, will barely top the 100-yard mark and suffer three interceptions. If you’re still sober, you’re excused from your Super Bowl party in the third quarter after the Colts take a 31-3 lead. – Don Hunt Indianapolis 27, Chicago 23 Really now, the Colts just need to win the game. Seriously, I’m not a diehard Indy fan or anything, I’m just sick of hearing analysts debate every single day whether or not Peyton Manning can win the big game. Like we don’t already see this guy enough in commercials. Every time I turn around he’s being compared to Dan Marino — Hall of Fame quarterback who never won a Super Bowl. For the sake of humanity and my own sanity, this topic needs to be buried 6 feet underground. But enough of my rant, the key to a Colts win will be to apply pressure on mistake-prone Bears’ quarterback Rex Grossman and the Bears D will score a TD with Cedric Benson punching in another. Peyton Manning will throw two scores and Cato June will return a Grossman mistake — whether it’s a fumble or interception — for a score. Big-money Adam Vinateri will chip in a pair of field goals and Peyton will get his precious Super Bowl ring with an MVP to boot. It will be the greatest day of my life. – Warren Blenkush This entry was posted on Sunday, February 4th, 2007 at 12:33 am and is filed under Sports Insiders . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response , or trackback from your own site. One Response to “‘Sup! Here’s our Super Blog” Steve McDaniel Says: February 4th, 2007 at 8:32 pm Nice picking guys. You all got pretty darn close on the scores even. I was going to root for Chicago, but thought I’d go with your picks. I decided to wager heavily on the game ($5.00) and because of you now I can afford a full meal off the value menu! Way to Go Leave a Reply Mail Tribune Blogs is proudly powered by WordPress Entries (RSS) and Comments (RSS) .