Dwight Freeney

What the Indianapolis Colts' defense needs to concentrate on to stop the New Orleans Saints' offense in the Super Bowl (Feb. 7, 3:15 p.m. PST, Ch. 2): Ice Man Cometh This is Dwight Freeney's stage. The Colts defensive end, who tied for third in the league with 13 1/2 sacks this season, plays big in big games. Saints left tackle Jermon Bushrod got some blocking help Sunday and did a solid job against Minnesota's Jared Allen . The Saints need an encore against one of the NFL's most dangerous whirling-dervish pass rushers.

The question Sunday night for the Indianapolis Colts: Who will carry Collins? That's quarterback Kerry Collins, the $4-million replacement for injured Peyton Manning. Collins has had a rough go in Indianapolis' first two games, both losses. He fumbled four times and was sacked five times. Against Cleveland last Sunday, he suffered an undisclosed right shoulder injury that limited his participation in practice this week. "The Colts are much more of a running team now," NBC's Cris Collinsworth said.

There were nine offensive tackles taken in the first four rounds of this year's NFL draft. Dwight Freeney would like to extend a personal welcome to each of them. Of course, with Freeney, the Indianapolis Colts' whirling dervish of a defensive end, there's always a spin. "I'm licking my chops," he said, probably envisioning an even better year than he had last season, when he made 13½ sacks and helped lead his team to the Super Bowl. "When you have a rookie offensive tackle, I can't wait," he said.

Trent Williams, rookie left tackle for the Washington Redskins, has already faced three elite pass rushers ? Houston's Mario Williams, Dallas' DeMarcus Ware and Green Bay's Clay Matthews. But Williams sees Sunday night's assignment ? keeping Indianapolis whirling dervish Dwight Freeney at bay ? as the most daunting test yet. "I don't know if anybody in the world can prepare you for Freeney," Williams told reporters last week. "He's just a different type of guy. He brings a load of different moves.

PASSING LEADERS Saints Brees...13-15, 137 yards Colts Manning...1-2, 9 yards RECEIVING LEADERS Saints Colston...4, 61 yards Colts Addai...1, 9 yards RUSHING LEADERS Saints Bush...3, 10 yards Colts Hart...2,4 yards Momentum: The Colts had two three-and-outs, and Drew Brees passed for 137 yards as the Saints held the ball for 12:26. They were able to put only six points on the board, however, and came up empty on a third- and fourth-and-goal from the one. Did you notice?

The question Sunday night for the Indianapolis Colts: Who will carry Collins? That's quarterback Kerry Collins, the $4-million replacement for injured Peyton Manning. Collins has had a rough go in Indianapolis' first two games, both losses. He fumbled four times and was sacked five times. Against Cleveland last Sunday, he suffered an undisclosed right shoulder injury that limited his participation in practice this week. "The Colts are much more of a running team now," NBC's Cris Collinsworth said.

The horseshoe on their helmets could just as easily stand for U-turn. The Indianapolis Colt defense, once a sad sidekick to football's most explosive offense, is the NFL's out-of-the-blue success story of the season. In their 31-10 trampling of the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, the Colts nearly made league history. Already, they were only the fourth team in the Super Bowl era to hold its first three opponents to fewer than 10 points.

If is often said that NFL games are won in the trenches. If so, here are pivotal matchup in Week 2: Haloti Ngata and Kelly Gregg vs. Scott Mruczkowski: San Diego's Mruczkowski won't be asked to take on two Baltimore defensive tackles, of course, but he's got to step into big shoes. Mruczkowski, who has one NFL start (at guard in 2006), is filling in at center for the injured Nick Hardwick. It would have to come against one of the league's best defenses. Giants offensive line vs. DeMarcus Ware: In the Giants' 20-8 loss at Dallas last December, Cowboys outside linebacker Ware had three of his team's eight sacks and two forced fumbles.

FIRST QUARTER -- Colts 10, Saints 3 PASSING LEADERS Saints Brees...3-7, 27 yards Colts Manning...9-14, 88 yards, TD RECEIVING LEADERS Saints Bush...1, 16 yards Colts Clark...2, 25yards RUSHING LEADERS Saints Bell...1, 4 yards Colts Addai...5, 58 yards Momentum: The Colts ran twice as many plays as the Saints, scored on their first two possessions and held the ball for 10 minutes 29 seconds of the 15 minutes.

Breaking down the Baltimore-Indianapolis matchup in the AFC divisional playoffs: Almost perfect The last time the Colts played a home game they were 14-0 and, to the disappointment and frustration of their fans, opted to rest Peyton Manning for most of the second half of a loss to the Jets. Now the pressure is on Indianapolis to prove it was the correct choice to sit players. In some ways, the pressure on the Colts at 14-2 is greater than it would have been at 16-0, because just about everyone thinks they should have fought hard all the way through.

Turns out, the NFL's biggest sibling rivalry wasn't much of a rivalry at all. Peyton Manning and his Indianapolis Colts showed little mercy Sunday in their throttling of the New York Giants, led by his younger brother, Eli. The Colts, determined to rebound from their Week 1 loss at Houston, built an early lead and gradually pulled away for a 38-14 victory at Lucas Oil Stadium. It was the second so-called Manning Bowl, and nowhere near as competitive as their first matchup in 2006, when the Colts won by five points in a packed Giants Stadium.

There were nine offensive tackles taken in the first four rounds of this year's NFL draft. Dwight Freeney would like to extend a personal welcome to each of them. Of course, with Freeney, the Indianapolis Colts' whirling dervish of a defensive end, there's always a spin. "I'm licking my chops," he said, probably envisioning an even better year than he had last season, when he made 13½ sacks and helped lead his team to the Super Bowl. "When you have a rookie offensive tackle, I can't wait," he said.

PASSING LEADERS Saints Brees...13-15, 137 yards Colts Manning...1-2, 9 yards RECEIVING LEADERS Saints Colston...4, 61 yards Colts Addai...1, 9 yards RUSHING LEADERS Saints Bush...3, 10 yards Colts Hart...2,4 yards Momentum: The Colts had two three-and-outs, and Drew Brees passed for 137 yards as the Saints held the ball for 12:26. They were able to put only six points on the board, however, and came up empty on a third- and fourth-and-goal from the one. Did you notice?

FIRST QUARTER -- Colts 10, Saints 3 PASSING LEADERS Saints Brees...3-7, 27 yards Colts Manning...9-14, 88 yards, TD RECEIVING LEADERS Saints Bush...1, 16 yards Colts Clark...2, 25yards RUSHING LEADERS Saints Bell...1, 4 yards Colts Addai...5, 58 yards Momentum: The Colts ran twice as many plays as the Saints, scored on their first two possessions and held the ball for 10 minutes 29 seconds of the 15 minutes.

Peyton Manning left the field so quickly Sunday after the Super Bowl that he didn't get a chance to congratulate Drew Brees . The Indianapolis Colts quarterback said he plans to speak with his New Orleans Saints counterpart soon. "I certainly know how it was three years ago when we won . . . " Manning said. "There's the stage being set up, and the celebration, and it's time for the Saints to celebrate. It's their field. They deserve the moment. "But I certainly congratulate all their players and the Saints organization.

Will he or won't he? Can he or can't he? It was only fitting that Dwight Freeney -- mystery man for the Indianapolis Colts -- showed up to Super Bowl media day Tuesday wearing flip-flops. In light of his severely sprained right ankle, his status for Sunday's game seems to flip and flop by the minute. Freeney, a defensive end who finished tied for third in the league with 13 1/2 sacks, didn't have a noticeable limp as he made his way to his interview table at the event, and though he said the swelling had been bad, his ankles appeared to be roughly the same size.

Peyton Manning left the field so quickly Sunday after the Super Bowl that he didn't get a chance to congratulate Drew Brees . The Indianapolis Colts quarterback said he plans to speak with his New Orleans Saints counterpart soon. "I certainly know how it was three years ago when we won . . . " Manning said. "There's the stage being set up, and the celebration, and it's time for the Saints to celebrate. It's their field. They deserve the moment. "But I certainly congratulate all their players and the Saints organization.

Turns out, the NFL's biggest sibling rivalry wasn't much of a rivalry at all. Peyton Manning and his Indianapolis Colts showed little mercy Sunday in their throttling of the New York Giants, led by his younger brother, Eli. The Colts, determined to rebound from their Week 1 loss at Houston, built an early lead and gradually pulled away for a 38-14 victory at Lucas Oil Stadium. It was the second so-called Manning Bowl, and nowhere near as competitive as their first matchup in 2006, when the Colts won by five points in a packed Giants Stadium.

What the Indianapolis Colts' defense needs to concentrate on to stop the New Orleans Saints' offense in the Super Bowl (Feb. 7, 3:15 p.m. PST, Ch. 2): Ice Man Cometh This is Dwight Freeney's stage. The Colts defensive end, who tied for third in the league with 13 1/2 sacks this season, plays big in big games. Saints left tackle Jermon Bushrod got some blocking help Sunday and did a solid job against Minnesota's Jared Allen . The Saints need an encore against one of the NFL's most dangerous whirling-dervish pass rushers.

Breaking down the Baltimore-Indianapolis matchup in the AFC divisional playoffs: Almost perfect The last time the Colts played a home game they were 14-0 and, to the disappointment and frustration of their fans, opted to rest Peyton Manning for most of the second half of a loss to the Jets. Now the pressure is on Indianapolis to prove it was the correct choice to sit players. In some ways, the pressure on the Colts at 14-2 is greater than it would have been at 16-0, because just about everyone thinks they should have fought hard all the way through.