Saints' RBs vs. Colts' LBs
By Kevin Rogers
When breaking down the Saints/Colts matchup in Super Bowl XLIV, the running game for each team doesn't get much attention. Instead, it's all about the two Pro Bowl quarterbacks in Peyton Manning and Drew Brees and the dynamic passing games. The one thing New Orleans has been successful at this season is balancing its offense, giving opposing defenses something to think about when trying to slow down the Saints.
Saints' running game
The Saints ranked sixth in the league in rushing offense this season (131.6 yards/game), despite not having a running back compile at least 800 yards on the ground. New Orleans was also near the top of the league in rushing touchdowns with 21, which was tied for second-most.
Three Saints' rushers scored at least five touchdowns on the ground, led by Pierre Thomas and his six rushing scores. Thomas also paced the rushing attack with 793 yards and 5.4 yards per carry clip. Former Bronco Mike Bell began the season getting a bulk of the carries, but his production dropped considerably towards the end of the year, not rushing for over 30 yards in any of his last four games (Bell had no carries in NFC Title game).
Let's not forget about the third member of this Saints' rushing trio, former Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush. The second pick of the 2006 Draft never materialized into a top rushing threat in the league, but Bush made impacts catching passes out of the backfield as well as returning punts. The former USC star never broke out for big rushing performances, compiling at least 65 yards rushing only twice this season.
Breaking down New Orleans' competition as it relates to its ground game, there weren't many surprising revelations. Twice the Saints faced top-four rushing defenses and were limited, with both those games at home. Dallas (ranked #4) held New Orleans to a season-low 65 yards in the Week 15 loss, while Minnesota (ranked #2) gave up just 68 rushing yards in the NFC Title Game.
Indianapolis ranked 24th in the regular season in rushing defense, and when New Orleans faces teams in that class, the Saints had plenty of success. When taking on defenses that ranked in the bottom half of the league in defending the run (17th or worse), New Orleans averaged 154.7 yards/game on the ground (9 games).
The Las Vegas Hilton has released hundreds of props for Super Bowl XLIV, and there are numerous ways to make money on the Saints' rushing game.
Starting with Thomas, the number for rushing yards in the game is set at 52 ½, laying the standard -110 if you want to wager on the 'over' or 'under' (Bet $110 to win $100). Over the last 12 games, Thomas has rushed for 53 yards or more just five times, but managed 61 yards in last week's NFC Championship victory over the Vikings. Thomas is tied into eight individual props, including receiving yards (26 ½), longest reception (12 ½), and longest rush (11 ½ yards). Those three props are all bet $110 to win $100.
Bush has his name all over the prop sheet, with individual and cross-sport props. The rushing yards are set at 22 ½ for the ex-Trojan, laying $110 either way to win $100. This actually isn't a bad one to take a shot at the 'over,' despite Bush getting held to eight yards on seven carries against Minnesota. Bush has rushed for at least 23 yards in four of the last six games, and with Bell losing carries, Bush can definitely break a run and cash the ticket in one shot.
Some other Bush props include longest rush (8 ½ yards), longest reception (12 ½ yards), receiving yards (28 ½), and rushing attempts (4 ½), all bet $110 to win $100. Bush will face off against two Los Angeles Lakers in cross-sport props, as the Lakers play Portland on Saturday, February 6. In an interesting prop, you can bet whether Bush will have more receiving yards than Kobe Bryant points against the Blazers (Lay $110 to win $100). Also, in the touted "Kardashian prop," you can wager on who will total more, Bush and his rushing yards or Lamar Odom combined points, rebounds, and assists against Portland.
Colts' Linebackers
As mentioned earlier, Indianapolis' rushing defense was not the strongest part of the AFC Champion's arsenal, yielding 126.5 yards/game. The Colts allowed over 120 yards on the ground in seven games this season, but also limited opponents to 90 yards or less five times. The extremes definitely skewed the average, allowing 239 yards to the Dolphins in Week 2 and 248 yards to the Bills in the season finale. However, one week after Miami ran all over Indy's rush "D," the Colts limited the Cardinals to just 49 yards on the ground.
The Colts faced two rushing-intensive offenses in the playoffs and passed both tests. In the Divisional Round against Baltimore, the Colts held the Ravens to 87 yards. That shutdown by the Indianapolis defense was super-impressive, compared to Baltimore rushing for 234 yards in the Wild Card romping of New England.
The AFC Title game proved to be another solid showing for the Colts' rushing defense, allowing 86 yards to the Jets, who ranked first in the league in running the ball. The 86 yards was in stark contrast to the Week 16 effort by New York, when it ran for 202 yards, handing Indianapolis its first loss of the season.
The Colts played seven games against teams ranked in the top five of the league in rushing. Indianapolis allowed an average of 134.8 yards/game in those contests, but to be fair, the Colts yielded 100 yards or less in four of those games.
Indianapolis' linebackers are led by MLB Gary Brackett, who racked up 99 tackles this season. Strong-side linebacker Clint Session accumulated a team-high 103 tackles to go along with two interceptions, while weak-side linebacker Phillip Wheeler picked up 61 tackles.
Both Brackett and Session are involved with tackle props for the game, according to the Hilton. Each are listed with a total of 6 ½ tackles, but the odds change for each player. In Session's case, the standard -110 'juice' applies, while if you believe Brackett will compile at least seven tackles, you need to lay $145 to win $100. On the flip side, if Brackett picks up six or less tackles and you bet the 'under,' you receive a return of $125 on a $100 bet. In this prop, sacks do not count, only solo and assisted tackles.
Which team has the edge?
Indianapolis' linebackers are led by several strong veterans, but the ability to limit the opposition's run has been inconsistent all season. The Saints may not have that Chris Johnson or Adrian Peterson-type back, but New Orleans has found a way to mix in a solid running game with its already automatic passing game.
Edge: Saints
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