Bet on the Saints?

Two huge reasons to believe in the underdog Saints

As has been well documented at this point, Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney is questionable this week because of an ankle injury, the seriousness of which remains debatable. Regardless, Freeney will be negatively impacted; the only question is to what degree.

If Freeney is severely hampered-or even unable to play-it will be a crushing blow for the Indianapolis defense. Much of the Colts' success comes from their ability to harass the quarterback successfully with only a four-man rush. Freeney and fellow defensive end Robert Mathis combined for 23 of Indy's 34 sacks this season, with the former leading the way at 12.5.

Observers have suggested the Colts will have to come up with a pass rush from elsewhere. Easier said than done. Indy linebackers combined for just 3.5 sacks all season. Even if the Colts do bring some extra pressure, it will compromise the scheme they're run all year by removing bodies from coverage. Pick your poison-give Saints quarterback Drew Brees more time or fewer defenders to pick apart.

Brees, of course, is another reason bettors should give New Orleans a shot on NFL odds, and it has a lot to do with the lacklustre roster of quarterbacks the Colts have faced this year.

Here are the quarterbacks the Indy "D" has tussled with in 2009-10: David Garrard, Chad Pennington, Kurt Warner, Seneca Wallace, Kerry Collins, Marc Bulger, Alex Smith, Matt Schaub, Tom Brady, Joe Flacco, Schaub, Vince Young, Kyle Orton, Garrard, Mark Sanchez, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Flacco and Sanchez.

Of those players, who makes a cornerback quake in his cleats? Only Warner and Brady (sorry, but Matt Schaub doesn't belong anywhere near a discussion involving Brees). Warner three for 332 yards, a touchdown and two picks; Brady tossed 375 yards, three scores and one pick.

So with 18 games behind them, the Colts have faced only TWO quarterbacks even remotely near Brees' class, and both torched the Indy for 300-plus yards (though, in Indy's fairness, it won both games). Especially with Freeney hobbling, shouldn't this be a huge concern for Colts nation? And a major boost for the Saints?

Indianapolis has looked like the Super Bowl favorite from wire-to-wire, but that's no reason to doubt the Saints. The Colts have signs of flaws that simply haven't been exposed yet. With their best pass rusher injured and the NFL's second-best quarterback ready to roll, will they be exposed in the biggest game of the year? With the Saints an underdog by 4.5 points, it's a good bet.