The Indianapolis Colts are going to win their second Super Bowl in four years because of two reasons: quarterback Peyton Manning and his supporting cast on offense.

Manning, who won a record-tying third Most Valuable Player award this season, is arguably the best player in the National Football League and is the reason why the Colts are even playing in Super Bowl XLIV.

But Manning should be able to pick apart the New Orleans Saints’ weak defense if he is given time to pass. The Saints were ranked No. 25 in total defense and No. 26 in pass defense during the regular season and are in the bottom third of both categories during New Orleans’ two playoff games.

So the Saints will be trying two things to slow down Manning:

The first is to make the Colts’ offense one dimensional by stopping the run game. Many teams have succeeded at accomplishing this task, since Indianapolis is one of the worst running teams in the NFL.

The risk in forcing the Colts to drop back and pass is that you’re putting the ball in Manning’s hands. If the Saints are able to force Indianapolis to become one dimensional, then the smartest thing to do would be to win the time-of-possession battle by at least 10 minutes.

The second task the Saints would have to accomplish would be to hit Manning early and often. They don’t have to sack him on every play, but teams in the past have shown that if you can get Manning on the ground and keep him uncomfortable in the pocket then you have a good shot of forcing turnovers and errant passes.

Manning has the most talented and consistent wide receiver-tight end combination in the league in wide receiver Reggie Wayne and tight end Dallas Clark, and has a pair of young wide receivers who are making significant contributions as Manning’s third and fourth options.

Wayne slowly became Manning’s No. 1 target over the last couple of seasons, and Clark has quietly become one of the top-three tight ends in the league. Defenses scheme to control these two players, but in the end they will be productive enough to help the Colts win.

Wide receivers Pierre Garçon and Austin Collie each had productive seasons and slowly became recognizable names with their solid play during the regular season. The Saints probably became more aware of the two receivers after their performances in the AFC Championship game when they each had a touchdown and more than 100 yards.

Indianapolis’ defense will give up yards, but it is ranked No. 8 in the league in defensive scoring. The defense knows how to step up when it needs to and it will need to step up against the Saints’ potent offense.

In the end this game will be determined by which defense will be able to shut down the opposing quarterback, and it is hard to see the Saints’ defense preventing Manning from having a poor day. Manning is the best, and he will add another Super Bowl title to his impressive Hall of Fame resume.

Click here to read why The Daily's Georgia Basore thinks the Saints will win