Thoughts on Super Bowl XLI plus eight days

The national media seem to think that the Colts are going to have an easy time of it in Super Bowl XLI. But even so, the local media in Chicago almost seem a little smug. The consensus among the scribes back home seems to be that the Bears match up quite nicely against the Colts; that Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson will be able to run on them, and that the defense will be able to shut Rhodes and Addai down and keep the Indy passing game under control. The plan seems to be to play classic Bears football: to run the ball a lot, grind it out, eat up the clock- and keep Peyton Manning on the bench.

I understand the two teams have averaged the same number of points scored this season, while the Bears have allowed a considerably lower average (of course, the Colts played a tougher schedule; to be fair, that needs to be factored in as well). And nobody seems to have noticed that Rex Grossman's QB rating during the post-season has actually been somewhere around ten points better than Mannings!

Manning, in fact, is having a shaky post season, and it's he rather than Grossman who has been throwing the interceptions of late. And the psychology of the situation is favorable; I'm sort of glad to hear the Bears being dissed and the Colts being awarded the trophy already. I hope the Indianapolis players are all keeping scrapbooks!

The Bears' edge in special teams is pronounced. Devon Hester running back punts and kickoffs should give the Bears good field position, especially because containing runbacks is a Colt weakness. Robbie Gould should have plenty of chances to kick field goals from reasonable distances even when the running game stalls.

Where the Colts's defense gives Rex a shot, of course, he'll take it. I think people are going to discover that they've underestimated him. There ought to be no lack of concentration on Grossman's part next week! But if Rex can keep his head, he's won half the battle. He doesn't need to be the offense; that's what Jones and Benson are for.

What the Bears can't afford, though, is three-and-outs. Even when they don't score, they need to eat up time. As good as their defense is, it'll be alot better the less it's on the field. Not even Peyton Manning can throw touchdown passes from the bench, and there's no sense in tempting fate.

Should be a good game. And national media or no, the closer it gets, the better I'm beginning to feel about the good guys' prospects.