Historical perspective
Quarterbacks aren’t always the MVPs
Quarterbacks don’t always win Super Bowl MVPs; sometimes the choices are unique:
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Dallas CB Larry Brown » In Super Bowl XXX, Brown intercepted two passes, leading to 14 points in Dallas’ 27-17 win over Pittsburgh. Brown became the first corner to win this award.
Green Bay KR Desmond Howard » Howard’s Super Bowl record 244 return yards — 99 coming on a touchdown — helped Green Bay beat New England, 35-21, in Super Bowl XXXI. He’s the only special teamer to win this honor.
Tampa Bay S Dexter Jackson » Jackson intercepted two passes, and won the fan vote, in the 48-21 win over Oakland in Super Bowl XXXVII. He left after the season via free agency and played in the UFL this past fall.
Dallas LB Chuck Howley » He was excellent, and in the Cowboys’ loss to Baltimore in Super Bowl V he became the only player from a losing team to win the MVP.
Expert’s take: Peyton Manning
“Early in the game he is looking to hit the quick routes to a rotation of receivers. He tests the defense and dares you to stop him. Then, if you bite on the short route, he kills you deep. I am not sure that New Orleans has the speed on defense to stop him.”
– Shannon Sharpe, CBS Sports
Position battle
Saints defense vs. Peyton Manning
The problem is this: blitz too much and Colts quarterback Peyton Manning can hurt you; don’t blitz and he’ll pick you apart.
That’s what New Orleans, and its 26th-ranked pass defense, faces Sunday against Manning and the Colts’ second-ranked pass attack.
The Saints ranked third in the NFL with 26 interceptions behind defensive coordinator Gregg Williams’ aggressiveness. But of the first 149 blitzes Manning faced this season, he threw 10 touchdown passes and was sacked five times. Last week, the New York Jets sacked him twice in the first quarter but rarely touched him again as he took deeper drops, throwing three touchdowns and averaging 9.7 yards per attempt.
“The best success you have against Peyton Manning is playing two-deep [safeties] and you slow him down and hope you get a rush out of your front four,” said CBS analyst, and former Redskins general manager, Charley Casserly. “New Orleans is not good enough to get the rush.”
Did you know?
Saints safety Darren Sharper has been an interception machine in his 13-year career, tied for sixth with Ronnie Lott on the all-time list with 63. And he has nine picks this season. However, Sharper has been in a bit of a slump lately, with only two picks in his last 10 games. All three of his touchdown returns occurred in the first seven games as well. Also, in 12 career playoff games Sharper has intercepted just two passes. He also has never picked off Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning in four career meetings, though he did get his brother Eli once.
