The Sporting Day: New England at Indianapolis, Super Bowl 41 1/2

The Indianapolis Colts are going about their business as per normal under Tony Dungy. They are playing their traditional early season games, going through the motions and ensuring victory. Even against the lower teams. When not showcased on a nationally televised game, Peyton Manning and the boys in white and blue do what is required and not much more. They are concerned about fundamentals. Tightening up the defence, working on combinations, getting back to basics. The Super Bowl isn’t won in October. That is the mantra of the Colts these days.

The Pats are going about things completely differently. They are making a statement, a none-too-subtle declaration of war. Bill Belichick has got the Patriots playing with a siege mentality and a taste for blood. The entire roster is playing football like it will be their last ever game, showing desire and a keenness for damage. Winning is not enough for Belichick. He needs to humiliate his opponents, striking fear into future foes. Seize the moment. He is attempting to win the Super Bowl in October. And September. And November and December and January. Complete obliteration is the noble desire of the Pats front office.

Adding further spice is the rivalry which has been built over the last decade, an ever-increasing animosity similar to that of the United States and North Korea. It is the Cold War, football style. John Templon calls the rivalry “a part of the American cultural fabric”. It is a battle for superiority, an arms race of excellence unparalleled in professional sport.

These two horses of fate, these two football powerhouses, will meet at the RCA Dome in downtown Indianapolis this Sunday in what is being billed as Super Bowl 41 ½. These teams won’t ever meet in a real Super Bowl. But few Super Bowls will ever have the feeling of this clash, that sense of destiny and magnitude that engulfs true sporting contests for the ages.

Never has the NFL witnessed two unbeaten titans meet so late in the season. Never has the NFL played host to such a battle of good and evil. Never has the NFL seen such high stakes action in the regular season.

Going head to head will be the ever growing legend of Bill Belichick and the quiet genius of Tony Dungy. Squaring off at quarterback will be the All American Boy, Peyton Manning, and the Great Winner, Tom Brady. In the backfield, two young bucks will match-up, both desperate to lead the new generation. Out wide will be the consummate professionalism of Marvin Harrison and the ungraspable skill of Randy Moss. Two tough and ready defenses will be thrashing at the bit to disarm these two high powered offenses. And Adam Vinateri will kick against the team he assisted to the top.

This game will be wild. The scoreboard operator will be kept busy and fans will be kept on the edge of their seat. For mine, the Pats look just a bit stronger and can be bet giving five points. They have been so statistically dominant that it is impossible to bet against them. They have covered in all eight games and have scored thirty-four points or more in each. Tom Brady is throwing at record pace and Randy Moss is catching like Jerry Rice. You just have to be on the Bean Town team.

Kick off is Monday morning Australian time.

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