Super matchup: Manning vs. Vilma

Colts' QB Peyton Manning vs. Saints' MLB Jonathan Vilma

No other quarterback currently in the NFL, and perhaps no one all time, is as adept at making pre-snap reads and thus changing the play to a successful one as often as Manning. That's one of the reasons he was sacked 10 times during the regular season. Although Manning was sacked by the Jets twice in the first quarter of the AFC title game, their blitzes were futile after that as Manning carved up their defense for three TD passes without an interception. Vilma, a former Jet who had an interception and a fumble recovery in the NFC title game, gets his turn to match wits with No. 18. The Saints are almost as blitz-happy as the Jets, and if Manning is able to figure out where New Orleans is coming from, Indianapolis could move the ball almost at will, much the way Minnesota did last week. The flip side was that the Saints bruised and battered Minnesota QB Brett Favre, which may have contributed to his key interception at the end of regulation. Their goal here, which confident defensive coordinator Gregg Williams already has stated, will be to knock down Manning and rattle him, but that's easier said than done.

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(northjersey.com)