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Super Bowl XLI Preview
Colts should force Grossman to throw
By Ken Ryan
When the Bears have the ball
A key for the Colts will continue to be their rush defense. They will have to find a way to shut down the Bears’ combination of Cedric Benson and Thomas Jones at tailback. Jones likely would be the one to give the Colts more trouble based on his ability to cut and move laterally.
Indy safety Bob Sanders has been a big reason why the Colts have been impressive stopping the run as of late. The Colts corners, Jason David and Nick Harper, will give away a little height to the Bears’ wide receiving duo of Bernard Berrian and Mushin Muhammad, but should match up fine considering the extremely inconsistent play of Bears quarterback Rex Grossman.
Grossman has found a safety valve in tight end Desmond Clark, who could cause Indy some matchup problems.
Colts defensive ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis could give Bears’ tackles John Tait and Fred Miller problems, but they have to be careful to not get too much penetration because the Bears will use a draw play inside with Jones or an end around by Berrian to keep the ends honest.
Sanders, middle linebacker Cato June, and defensive tackles Raheem Brook and Anthony MacFarland will be responsible for the inside running attack by the Bears.
Grossman struggles mightily under heavy pressure as his turnover ratio usually skyrockets. The Colts will look to shut down the run game and make Grossman beat them through the air.
When the Colts have the ball
This is the matchup everybody is waiting to see: the high-flying Colts offense, lead by Peyton Manning, against the often-times dominating Bears defense.
Indy’s receiving core features two Pro-Bowlers in Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne. They’ll be working against Charles Tillman and Nathan Vasher, who are solid players in their own right.
Obviously, the Colts will have to account for All-Pro middle linebacker Brian Urlacher.
All postseason the Colts X-factor on offense has been Dallas Clark, who is listed as a tight end, but the Colts usually line him up in the slot.
The Colts also feature a dual running attack with Dominic Rhodes and Joseph Addai. The Bears, until Jan. 21 vs. New Orleans, had really been struggling to stop the run.
Manning always does a good job of spreading the ball around and will work to keep the Bears off guard all day. Bears defensive ends Alex Brown and rookie pass rush specialist Mark Anderson will look to bring pressure.
If the Bears have to bring an extra couple guys with a blitz, they may be in trouble given the fact that Manning is the best in the game at recognizing a blitz, getting a back to pick it up, and finding the open man.
Special Teams
Adam Vinatieri of Indy is the best all-time in the postseason. Punter Hunter Smith will have to place his kicks well in order to keep them away from Chicago’s dangerous return man of Devin Hester.
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