Shyne's 2010 Super Bowl Pick

Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the last NFL preview/prediction of the 2009-2010 season. With the big game set for this Sunday, it’s only right that I give you guys a big preview. So before we go into the breakdown of the game, I’m going to ask some dudes to quickly recap the season of teams that participated in the playoffs. I’m not asking just anybody though; we’re going with Rich Eisein, Deion Sanders and Terrel Owens. By the way, if you just want the Super Bowl preview, you can just scrollto the bottom of the page. 

Rich Eisen: The Bengals won the AFC North and had a pretty good season. The tragic loss of Chris Henry might have derailed their season somewhat.

Deion Sanders: Nah nah Rich, don’t make excuses for the Bengals. They had a decent season but we all knew they were the worst playoff team this year. The Jets took them to school in their house; in the jungle; while Marvin Lewis was busy trying to challenge every play on the field. Who dat?

Terrel Owens: There they go again; the media is always blowing things out of proportion. The Bengals need a true #1 receiver; no offense to Ochocinco but he ain’t in my league.

Rich Eisen: Every time the Eagles season ends, the question always gets asked. Was that McNabb’s last game in an Eagles jersey?

Deion Sanders: Hey, let me say this; the Eagles had tons of fun this season beating up on the bad teams. DeSean Jackson got jiggy with it in the end zone against bad secondaries; but when Philly played some good teams, they got be whooped. The Dallas Cowboys clipped their wings and called it a day.

Terrel Owens: Man why you guys give all this love to Donovan? The only time he played in a Super Bowl was when I was there; and that didn’t work out because he was jealous. I played with a messed up ankle; but he had bouts of fatigue during the game. Hate it or love it, no team has been the same after I left them (real talk).

Rich Eisen: The New England Patriots are the premier franchise of the past decade. However, we never really saw that team this season. Tom Brady seemed uncomfortable for most of the year in the pocket and consequently the play of the Pats wavered. In addition, Patriots fans are now starting to ask themselves what happened to the defensive genius known as Bill Belichick.

Deion Sanders: The coaching staff took a lot of the blame and deservedly so, but that defense lacked veterans. They were often out of position and did not execute week in and week out. The end result of the Patriots weaknesses was on full display in Foxboro in the Wild Card round as the Baltimore Ravens stomped on the Pats as if they were grapes.

Terrel Owens: Who can make a play? I can! Had New England signed me, they wouldn’t have had any troubles on offense even after Welker went down. Hell, T.O. can play linebacker and safety.

Rich Eisen: The Packers had a pretty good season, but it was somewhat overshadowed by the fact that Favre’s Vikings beat them twice this season. However, Packer fans are real happy with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. He should be good for years to come. Some might blame him for the loss against the Cardinals, but the Packers defense put that team in the hole.

Deion Sanders: Great breakdown Rich. The Packers were good but they weren’t good enough. The team’s defensive failures cost them in the desert.

Terrel Owens: Aaron Rodgers played really well this season and was able to pick apart the Cardinals secondary. However, I’m not sure if Greg Jennings, James Jones and Donald Driver are good enough at this point to take the Packers to the promised land in the next few seasons. They might need a player of my caliber to drop a few passes whenever I get open deep.

Rich Eisen: The Arizona Cardinals kept surprising us this year. They won when they weren’t supposed to and lost when they were expected to win. In addition, few doubted that Kurt Warner would hold up for the whole season, and yet he did that for the most part. The Cards won the NFC West this year and used that momentum to defeat the Packers on Wild Card weekend. Any magic they might have had accumulated up to that point, quickly evaporated. The Cards traveled to New Orleans for the Divisional round of the playoffs and made a game of it on the opening drive when they took a quick 7-0 lead. But then it was all a wrap as the team got blown out 45-14. Kurt Warner then announced his retirement a few weeks later, and now they can only hope that Matt Leinart is ready to step into the spotlight.

Deion Sanders: Kurt Warner is a great quarterback. It’s sad to see him leave but he probably knows that now is the time for him to get out of the game. HE MIGHT JUST GO PRIMETIME BABY!

Terrel Owens: You guys know how critical I can be of quarterbacks, but that doesn’t apply to Warner. The man always held on to the ball to allow you to get open and deliver the football. He took some vicious hits throughout his career, but he did it because he felt it gave his team the best chance to win. I’m not sure I would ever drop ay of his well timed passes.

Rich Eisen: The Baltimore Ravens teased us all. We watched them throughout the season get up on teams and slowly beat them up on their way to winning; but then something always happened. The Ravens had a knack for getting penalized late in games and helping teams sustain drives. Ray Lewis was arguably the most driven and most feared man in the NFL, and yet the team’s discipline just faltered late in games. Nonetheless, the Ravens were/are/will be a terrific team. The ground game combined with their defense should help this team contend. In the Wild Card round, we saw them go to work as they put more pressure on Brady than group of a teenagers trying to convince a fellow teen to smoke cigarettes. In addition, the Ravens ran all over the Patriots defense. However, Baltimore was exposed when they faced Indianapolis. Their failure to be able to put the ball in the air against the Colts defense eventually did them in.

Deion Sanders: Man I love Sugar Ray Lewis. Normally I would say that the window for them is shut, but Shug just keeps making me a believer. I know he’s not a free agent but PAY THE MAN!

Terrel Owens: Let me say this, back when I was with the Eagles, I scored a touchdown against the Ravens and then did the Ray Lewis Super Bowl dance. After doing the dance, it’s the most scaried I’d ever been in my life on a football field. Not because I was afraid that Ray Ray might knock my teeth out, but more so because he said he would stop hanging with me if I ever did anything like that ever again. I love Ray man, but why he always gotta blow things out of proportion?

Rich Eisen: The Cowboys won the NFC East this year and is one of the only three teams to beat the New Orleans Saints this year. So obviously you have to look at what they did this season; and in addition they finally won a playoff game this year. They got beat pretty badly in Minnesota but this has to be a step in the right direction right?

Deion Sanders: Man Rich, I have to agree with you here. The Cowboys had a decent season; however Jerry Jones does not look count team wins. What he counts is the amount of headlines that the Cowboys generate, the amount of accomplishments and the prestige associated with the team. Winning the Super Bowl helps with those three facets. Fact is, Dallas is not in the big game this year. Despite the growth of Tony Romo, Jerry Jones still views this season as a failure. One accomplishment he knows he got is that after releasing T.O., the team played better and seemed to display more unity.

Terrel Owens: Primetime….(looks at Deion as if he was betrayed and starts moping). How could you say that? Don’t talk about Tony Romo like that; he’s still my quarterback. And how can you say they showed more unity this year?

Rich Eisen: We’ll be back after a quick commercial break.

 “Are you having trouble fitting your football into tight spots because it lacks air? Is your football too light? Do you need help with throwing a quick slant? Perhaps your deep post game is not as good as it used to be? Hi my name is Brett Favre, ask your doctor about Cialis today”.

Rich Eisen: The San Diego Chargers started off the season with a 2-3 record that had Chargers fans begging for Bill Cowher to come rescue them. San Diego then fixed everything up and blew out a few teams on their way to an 11 game winning streak. The worst kept secret in the NFL is that the Chargers have the Colts number. Hence, all of the NFL wanted to see the Chargers face Indianapolis in the AFC Title game; however the NY Jets had other plans. Rex Ryan's Jets went in to San Diego and handled them. Upon exiting the playoffs, fans started asking for Cowher to come rescue them once again.

Deion Sanders: Man I don't buy any of that. Norv Turner got the team in a position to win. All the man did was win 13 games this season. C'mon Rich! Norv didn't miss three field goals against the Jets! He didn't throw an interception late in the game that put the opposition in the red zone! Actually, PAY THE MAN!

 Terrel Owens: San Diego needs a deep threat. They need a true #1 receiver to make plays. I love Vincent Jackson, but he ain't no T.O.

Rich Eisen: No team had more sound bytes than the New York Jets this season. They talked about how good they were and how bad they were going to beat their opponents. Although it was never pretty and the Jets never looked like overwhelming favorites (a 9-7 record will do that for you), they won late in the season to get into the playoffs; and then they took down the Cincinnati Bengals, the San Diego Chargers and were then eliminated by the Indianapolis Colts. This team showed a lot of promise, and should be taken seriously.

Deion Sanders: Man I love me some Rex Ryan. The man talks, he smiles, he laughs and keeps his team loose. I would have loved for him to be my head coach during a stretch in my career. Rich baby, can you imagine me doing my high step and then doing my Primetime dance in the end zone with Rex coming out and dancing with me? Man I would be fired up!

Terrel Owens: Why did the Jets trade for Braylon Edwards when they could have traded for me? I have to talk to LeBron James man (Cleveland residents will understand this inside joke).

Rich Eisen: Brett Favre came back to football and put the Minnesota Vikings at the top of the NFC North. The Vikes stood near the top of the NFC standings all season and then went into the playoffs as underdogs at home against the Dallas Cowboys. They completely dismantled the Cowboys and then faced off against the Saints in the match up that everybody in the NFC was waiting to see. Unfortunately for Vikings fans, Minnesota won that game in every way possible, except on the scoreboard. And now, we have to ask ourselves whether Favre is coming back or not.

Deion Sanders: Man, get a tissue for your issue. The Vikings had a good season but they came up short when it mattered. They went to the grocery store, picked up some fruit, went to the cash register to pay for their fruit and move on; but instead they kept fumbling the fruit at the cash register and ultimately never left the store.

Terrel Owens: I knew it was bad when even I thought I could do a better job of holding on to the ball.

Deion Sanders: We’re going to take a quick commercial break and when we come back you can meet me at the corner of 21^st and Prime; WE GOING PRIMETIME BABY! 

“The Super Bowl is right around the corner and some of you will be having a few too many drinks. Consequently, you might end up hooking up with the ugliest looking person at the Super Bowl party you’ll be attending. If this sounds like you, well you’re in luck. We have devised the perfect strategy in order to help you avoid becoming the object of ridicule amongst your friends. Just call 1-800-COK-BLOK; prior to the party and we will automatically send an A.C. Green look a like to your house to discourage you from having intercourse prior to marriage. Just remember, the phone number is 1-800-COK-BLOK. Operators are standing by.”

Deion Sanders: All right people, we’re at the corner of 21^st and Prime and to close out the season, I’m going to name the 12 best people that contributed to our weekly NFL article. Hit it Rich!

Rich Eisen: NUMBER TWELVE!

Deion Sanders: #12 Mr. Chaos is a loyal Baltimore Ravens fan, you can find him at his site The Answer Speaks; great dude. RICH! DO THAT THING!

Rich Eisen: NUMBER ELEVEN!

Deion Sanders: #11 Marisa is a NYC girl originally from California; she is a huge Chargers fan and you can find her at Pepperforyourhead and New York City Chargers Fans. RICH!

Rich Eisein: NUMBER TIN (ten)!

Deion Sanders: #10 James Heller killed it during the year with his contributions. Chargers fan that always attacked Colts fans with pointed jabs. RICH!

Rich Eisen: NUMBER NINE!

Deion Sanders: #9 Cynthia lives out in San Diego and was sad to see her Chargers lose but she contributed during the season and kept things entertaining for all. HOOK ME UP RICH!

Rich Eisen: NUMBER EIGHT!

Deion Sanders: #8 Phylicia lives out in the desert in Arizona and loves her Cardinals. She’s sad to see Kurt Warner leave but she knows the Cards will bounce back; make sure you ask her for her insights on the Cards. RICH!

Rich Eisen: NUMBER SEVEN!

Deion Sanders: #7 SoCal Chick is a Chargers, Texans and Cowboys fan. She grew up in Texas but now lives in Cali. She hooked me up with some good football talk this season. Give her a shout. DO THAT DAMN TING RICH!

Rich Eisen: NUMBER SIX!

Deion Sanders: #6 Sparkles is from North Carolina. Huge Duke fan and also a fan of the Carolina Panthers. You read some of her stuff on Day 2 of Super Bowl week on the SBG blog. RICH!

Rich Eisen: NUMBER FIVE!

Deion Sanders: Nate is a Jets and Knicks fan that contributed late in the NFL season. Good dude and make sure you catch him at Dribble Drive. RICH!

Rich Eisen: NUMBER FO (four)!

Deion Sanders: #4 Mr. Fu3lish Nation is a big Chargers fan that keeps trying to convert me to Super Cross. Give him a shout. HOW WE DO RICH?!?

Rich Eisen: NUMBER THREE!

Deion Sanders: #3 Gamblaar is a huge Browns and Cavs fan from Ohio. Depending on the year, he hates New Year’s Eve. Amazingly funny dude though. PAY THE MAN! RICH!

Rich Eisen: NUMBER TWO!

Deion Sanders: #2 Marcie from Vegas. The biggest Cowboys fan I know. Whenever I asked her to hook me up with something on the Cowboys, she worked on it for me and sent it within a really short timeframe. She’s made the second most appearances on here, and that gives her the #2 spot. RICH!

Rich Eisen: NUMBER ONE!

Deion Sanders: #1 The incomparable Sean Elgar. Huge Chargers and Lakers fan that’s always first on the crime scene to read anything stemming from the SBG blog and contributes in every way possible. He has the most cameos and the most shout outs. We’re done with Primetime players, let’s send it over to Shyne for the Super Bowl pick!

On Sunday, we will get the match up that we have been waiting for since about Week 11. Back then, we were hoping that both teams would be undefeated by the time they met in the Super Bowl but that dream has come and gone. However, we still have the two best teams in the NFL facing off in the biggest game of the year. No disrespect to the other teams in the NFL (as well as their respective fans), but this is the match up that everyone wanted.

Purists might love a great defensive match up; but I’m pretty sure that they are happy with the fact that two great offenses will be facing one another with the championship on the line. When it gets to winning the Super Bowl, both teams involved want it in the worst way. And yet, some people will say that the game itself might mean more to one party than the other.

The New Orleans Saints are just not representing their franchise, they are representing the whole state of Louisiana. Expect to see all the famous people that have any affiliation to the state (Shaquille O’Neal, Lil’ Wayne, Chris Paul and, Harry Connick Jr. to name a few) to make an appearance. And make no mistake about it, the Saints continue to see the effects of Hurricane Katrina within the city; so they know who they are playing for. True story: As I was typing this part of the prediction, I was listening to some music on my ShynePhone (Yes I changed the name, that’s what’s up) and Lil’ Wayne’s Tie My Hands song came on. That’s a sign of fate and divine intervention people. For those of you that are unfamiliar with the song, Wayne raps about the city of New Orleans and the lasting effects of the hurricane. The people of New Orleans desperately need something to cheer about; and the Lombardi trophy coming to town is the perfect opportunity to do so. So the Saints have to go back to Nawlins as the champs right?

Well not exactly. The Indianapolis Colts, more specifically Peyton Manning is playing for his legacy. He might one day have all the NFL passing records, he might also potentially add another MVP trophy to his collection; but the one thing that is not yet a lock is a place on this list (no specific order):

-Joe Montana

-John Elway

-Tom Brady

-?

If Peyton Manning is going to be considered as arguably the greatest of all time or even be in the discussion, he needs another Super Bowl ring to cement his legacy. Every NFL quarterback is like James Bond: They have to process a lot of information, they have a lot of people counting on them and they have to complete their mission at all costs. Well Peyton Manning is like the Sean Connery version (my favorite one). He has the charm, the tools, the skills and the personality required to be The James Bond. Peyton Manning was born to play the part. So far, Bond has saved the world from the enemy; but he has yet to rescue the girl. If he saves the girl, his legacy will be cemented.

In addition, as bad as the state of Louisiana needs the Saints to win, the once beautiful island of Haiti needs for the Colts to win. No NFL player has been as vocal and as out in the open about the tragedy as Pierre Garçon. My parents still live in Haiti, and they were touched when Garçon recited the phrase on Haitian flag during an interview: L’union fait la force. When translated, it means union brings strength. Haitians want to see their flag displayed on television in a moment of joy and celebration. Can you imagine Garçon walking u to the podium as the Super Bowl MVP with the Haitian flag in his hand? I get chills just thinking about it.

When all is said and done, the results will come on the field. The Saints struggled a little late in the season but then seemed to regain their form in a rout of the Arizona Cardinals. Then they hosted the NFC title game against the Minnesota Vikings and seemed unimpressive to some. Fact is, the Saints have been the best team in the NFC all year and will show up in a big way on Super Bowl Sunday. However, I still have the Colts in this game. 16 times this year, the Colts have asked their starters to start and finish games with the objective being to win the game. 16 times, they were successful. Peyton Manning has been a machine this season and has refused to let his team get complacent. He forces his team to execute and never allows his teammates to settle for less. I’m picking the guy that’s been unflappable throughout the season and that has kept his team moving all year. Brees will have a big game and will get his team in position to win the game; but Manning will march his team down the field and lead his team to victory. Dwight Freeney or not, it just feels like it’s Peyton’s time.

Pick: Colts win 34-31

Comments or questions? Drop me a line at Shyne@NFLShouts.com