skysports.com takes you through all the crucial statistics ahead of Super Bowl XLIV in Miami.
All the best Super Bowl stats ahead of the big game in Miami
American Football is a game littered with stats, but we've brought you the ones that matter ahead of Super Bowl XLIV, so you can see who will be the big performers in Miami.
Peyton Manning and Drew Brees will lead two sets of high-octane offensive units to Miami, so expect plenty of points on the board as neither QB is shy on airing out the football.
Both defences though have shown they are no mugs, with the Cotls up there with the best at stopping teams finding the endzone, while the Saints have ball-hawk Darren Sharper always threatening to pull off another pick.
Quarterbacks
The two quarterbacks will grab the limelight, as they have been the two best in the NFL this season and their regular season numbers are pretty close.
Manning has thrown the ball 57 more times than Brees, with New Orleans having a decent running game this season, so no surprises that the Colts triggerman also has more yards and completions.
MVP Manning has therefore found the endzone on no more than 33 occasions, more than any other quarterback in the league except for one - guess which one?
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Manning |
Quarterbacks |
Brees |
|
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571 |
Attempts |
514 |
|
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|
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|
393 |
Completions |
363 |
|
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|
10 |
Sacks |
20 |
|
|
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|
4500 |
Passing Yards |
4388 |
|
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|
33 |
Touchdowns |
34 |
|
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16 |
Interceptions |
11 |
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Rushing attack
Neither team can boast a 1,000 yard rusher for the Super Bowl, with Joseph Addai getting the closest, but the Colts have not had the best season on the ground - which has forced Manning to air it out more often than not.
The Colts did sneakily score the sixth-most points rushing though, meaning they can punch it in when they get in the red zone, but the Saints have a more varied attack and they top that particular stat.
Pierre Thomas is their top man but Reggie Bush stepped up with a huge play-off game against Arizona and followed up against Minnesota, so Indianapolis' run defence must be aware of both men.
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| RUSHING |
Team |
Carries |
Yards |
TDs |
|
|
|
| Jospeh Addai |
Colts |
219 |
828 |
10 |
|
|
|
| Pierre Thomas |
Saints |
147 |
793 |
6 |
|
|
|
| Mike Bell |
Saints |
172 |
654 |
5 |
|
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| Reggie Bush |
Saints |
70 |
390 |
5 |
|
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| Donald Brown |
Colts |
78 |
281 |
3 |
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Up in the air
New Orleans have traditionally been a high-flying offence since Drew Brees met coach Sean Payton, but the Colts have outdone them this year with the league's second-best passing attack.
Both teams scored 34 touchdowns through the air, with Manning only throwing 33 of his team's as running back Joseph Addai threw the other to Reggie Wayne on a trick play.
Brees seemed to have more options than Manning with Coltson, Henderson, Meachem and Bush, but tight end Dallas Clark is as good as a receiver for the Colts, while youngsters Peirre Garcon and Austin Collie have come on leaps and bounds this season.
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| RECEIVING |
Team |
Catches |
Yards |
TDs |
|
|
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| Reggie Wayne |
Colts |
100 |
1264 |
10 |
|
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| Dallas Clark |
Colts |
100 |
1106 |
10 |
|
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| Marques Colston |
Saints |
70 |
1074 |
9 |
|
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| Devery Henderson |
Saints |
51 |
804 |
2 |
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| Pierre Garcon |
Colts |
47 |
765 |
4 |
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| Robert Meachem |
Saints |
45 |
722 |
9 |
|
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| Austin Collie |
Colts |
60 |
676 |
7 |
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Hard-hitting defence
Underrated is the word to describe Indianapolis' defence, while the Saints were fearsome at the start of the season before suffering a blip, but were right back on point against the Vikings.
Both teams have sack machines in the form of Freeney and Mathis for the Colts and Will Smith for the Saints, and time for the QB will be at a premium in Miami.
The Colts have a small but very speedy defence that despite giving up plenty of yards, is eighth in points allowed and has twice dealt with Houston's top-ranked pass attack this season.
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| Defence |
Team |
Tackles |
Sacks |
Interceptions |
TDs |
|
|
| Darren Sharper |
Saints |
71 |
0.5 |
9 |
3 |
|
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| Jonathan Vilma |
Saints |
110 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
|
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| Clint Session |
Colts |
103 |
0.5 |
2 |
1 |
|
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| Dwight Freeney |
Colts |
24 |
13.5 |
0 |
0 |
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| Will Smith |
Saints |
49 |
13 |
1 |
0 |
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| Robert Mathis |
Colts |
37 |
9.5 |
0 |
0 |
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