McNamara: It will be mission accomplished for Colts

SAINTS (15-3) vs. COLTS (16-2)Line: Colts by 5

Over/Under: 56 1/2

TV-Radio: Ch. 2, WFAN (660), 6:25 p.m.

A tweet on whodatnation.com says it all: "Things I never thought I would say: It's Super Bowl week and the Saints are still alive."

They've been partying nonstop in The Big Easy, and Saints fans feel as if they've died and gone to a heaven with an open bar. But before they can march through the Pearly Gates, their heroes have to beat that devil wearing a horseshoe and No. 18. In an exquisite twist, Peyton Manning's father, Archie, was the bloodied face of the Saints' franchise for 11 dark seasons. Will the son avenge daddy's 35-91-3 record and 340 sacks with the Aints?

The overwhelming vibe of Super Bowl XLIV is that the Saints are just happy to be there while the Colts are on a mission. When both were 13-0, the buzz was that the Saints were focusing on 16-0 while Indy cared about only a ring.

A Saints loss wouldn't be crushing. How could their fans complain after finally getting to The Big One? For the Colts, defeat would be regretted bitterly, because Peyton craves a second championship. He doesn't want his team remembered as an NFL version of the 1990s Braves.

The erratic Saints don't resemble the machine that looked unbeatable, and they're in a 3-9 ATS slump. They were lucky to beat the Vikings in the NFC Championship Game after allowing 475 yards, and Peyton will pick apart their secondary.

The Colts haven't allowed a second-half point in two playoff games, and they're 12-4 ATS when going all-out. Their major concern is the status of game-changer Dwight Freeney (world's most scrutinized ankle, questionable). Without his fierce pass rush, Drew Brees would have more time to spot his many targets, and the Saints should put up at least 24 points.

So offense should rule, but the over/under still might be a bit high. For what it's worth, only two of the last 14 Super Bowls exceeded 56 points, and the Colts and Saints have a combined over/under record of 18-17-1.

I'd feel more comfortable giving 4 points instead of 5, but I don't think Indy will lose. You're not supposed to take the underdog getting less than a TD unless you give it a good shot to win, and I think the Saints have gone as far as they can go. The pick: Colts