The Acorn's Super Bowl XLI showdown, Bears vs. Colts
Editors Kyle Jorrey and Stephen Dorman debate which team will win the big game in Miami
Jorrey

Jorrey

Outlook: Regardless of what sour grapes my esteemed colleague- aka Señor San Diego- is about to share with you, the underdog Chicago Bears will be crowned champions of Super Bowl XLI.

This, despite the fact that: A) they play in the NFC, B) Rex Grossman is their quarterback, and C) Peyton Manning is the most popular item to come out of the South since cotton.

Don't think so? Neither does Vegas, my grandfather, the Magic 8-Ball, the nice lady who cuts my hair and the entire Acorn editorial staff- so you're in good company.

But here are three reasons why they will:

1) Defense wins . . . yeah, you know it- Rather than regurgitate one of the sports world's most oft-used clichés, can we all just agree that history has shown that a great defense nearly always wins out over a great offense, especially in the NFL.

Just ask the Oakland Raiders, who rolled into the Super Bowl four years ago with the No. 1 offense in the league yet were beaten so badly (48-21) by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers- the league's No. 1rated defense- that they still haven't recovered.

Dorman

In fact, only one team in the last 10 years has won a Super Bowl with an average defense- the 2000 St. Louis Rams- and no team in the history of the nation's biggest game has EVER won with a defense ranked below No. 20 in the league. The Colts 2006 defensive rank: 21.

2) Keep it running- Much has been made of the resurgence of the Colts' run defense, but they've yet to face a ground attack in the playoffs that can equal the versatility, power and solid blocking of the Chicago Bears.

Between Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson, the Bears have two running backs with the ability to give the Colts' undersized and poor tackling defenders trouble from start to finish, keeping Chicago in control of the clock, Grossman protected and the potent Indianapolis offense off the field.

3) The Hester Factor- Not much has been said about Chicago rookie return specialist Devin Hester since his two-TD game against the Rams in Week 14, and for good reason: He hasn't done much.

But with the game's most explosive player back in his home state, in the backyard of his alma mater (University of Miami) and facing one of the NFL's worst coverage return teams, the stage is set for Hester to go down in Super Bowl lore.

Hey, if Ellis Hobbs of the Patriots can burn Indy to the tune of 220 return yards, what do you think the man who recorded six return TDs (a NFL record) this season will do? This will be one show not to miss.

MVP: Hester

Best Prop Bet: Color of Prince's pants during halftime concert.

Final Score: Bears 34, Colts 31 Dorman

Outlook: So now you think you're better than me?

Yeah, yeah, my playoff predictions went horribly awry- the "Marty Factor" was way too much for the poor Chargers to overcome, and the pain of losing to those bums from New England still lingers to this day. I'll never eat chowder again, you can count on that.

But let me ask you this, smart guy- how many Bears games did you attend this year? None, huh. And you call yourself a die-hard fan. That's funny. Look, just because you like deep-dish pizza and Al Capone movies doesn't make you a Chicago loyalist. Why not root for the L.A. Avengers instead?

Basically it's like this, friend- nobody outside the Windy City wants to see the Bears win this game. They are, what's the word I'm looking for . . . boring.

First off, Chicago's quarterback is 5foot-2- in cleats. He's horrible, one of the least-skilled Super Bowl quarterbacks of all-time. Kerry Collins, Trent Dilfer, Vince Ferragamo, Neil O'Donnell, Tony Eason, David Woodley- these guys are like Hallof-Famers compared to Rex Grossman.

You've got to respect Chicago's defense and special teams. Here's the shocker though- people don't tune into the Super Bowl to watch kickers and safeties. The people want offense, and that's why the world will be pulling for the Colts.

Peyton Manning and Co. already beat Baltimore- the NFL's topranked defense- on the road during the playoffs. A week later, the Colts put up 38 points on New England, who were rated sixth in total defense.

As great as you might think Da' Bears are- they were ranked fifth defensively- Manning, wideouts Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne, tight end Dallas Clark and running back Joseph Addai won't be in awe.

Here's the good news, Jorrey- at least we won't have to watch Mick Jagger prance around in a belly shirt again this year at halftime. Thanks to the NFL, you get to stare at Prince as he struts his stuff in a white, full-body suit. Enjoy it.

Everyone else, I know what you're thinking: There's not enough beer in the keg to make that a good time.

Prediction: Manning and the Colts get out to an early 14-point lead. Adam Vinatieri kicks four field goals, and Chicago has to abandon the running game and place its chances in Grossman's hands, which is like putting a Band-Aid over a bullet wound. The Bears fall apart and the Colts win easy, 33-20.

MVP: Manning.

Best Prop Bet: Wayne went to the University of Miami, so I expect him to have a big homecoming in this one. He's at +700 to score the game's first touchdown (a $100 bet earns you $700). Let it ride and pray.