Super Bowl chat with Pat Kirwan
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM ETPat Kirwan
25 comments
NFL.com senior analyst and former NFL front office executive Pat Kirwan has been on the scene all week at Super Bowl XLIV, and checked in for a live chat on Thursday, Feb. 4.
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Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Hi everyone. Just a few days away from the game and I'm just about done with all my filmwork. As promised, I will make my prediction ... at the end of this chat. -
Rachel, Virginia
5:00 PM ET
On the message board there is always tons of debating about which team deserves and wants this Superbowl more. What do you think?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Rachel, the emotional angle goes to the Saints. And the professionalism goes to the Colts because they've been here before. I don't think anyone deserves it more. You've got to earn it. -
Butch Davis, Bridgeton, NJ
5:02 PM ET
With all of the gloom and doom talk concerning the Saints' chances in the Super Bowl, has the mainstream media overlooked what they accomplished in the first 13 games, especially considering the injuries they dealt with during that time??
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Butch, I don't see any gloom and doom. They have more than a fighting chance in this game, and the more you study them the more you see the possibility. They can certainly run the ball better than the Colts, and Drew Brees had as many 300-yard games as Peyton did. And no defense forces more turnovers than the Saints. and that is not being overlooked by the coaches in this game. -
Chris, Indy
5:05 PM ET
What's the one matchup you're watching Sunday?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Chris, I think you have to look at the left tackles, who both have struggled all year against pass rusrhers. But since I expect about 80 total passes in this game and both QBs can beat the blitz, someone's got to beat the tackles to get the QB. -
Andy, mn
5:06 PM ET
In all your years of watching football, which player has been the most fun to watch?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Andy, I'll start with Brett Favre. First off, he's there every week. Second, he oozes the desire to win, and he'll take chances.
After Favre, I do really appreciate the surgeon-like approach of Peyton Manning. -
Andy, Wisconsin
5:07 PM ET
Who are the teams to watch this coming season? And who do you think might be the final teams fighting for the Superbowl next year?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Andy, it always starts with who has the QBs to get there. I'd put strong consideration on the Patriots, Eagles, Steelers, and Cowboys as contenders. -
Jamie, New Orleans
5:09 PM ET
No doom and gloom for the Saints? Not according to the national sports TV/Internet shows.
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Jamie, I couldn't care less about those shows. I am busy watching tape of the teams. and news flash: The players don't care about those shows, either.
The Saints come in here with the #1 offense and the top turnover defense, those are real good ingredients for success. The Colts won five games scoring 20 or less this season. That won't cut it against the Saints. -
Brad, Virginia
5:11 PM ET
Which team do you think will draft Tebow?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Jacksonville -
Mark, Canada
5:12 PM ET
Pat, I agree with you that Favre has been the most fun to watch. Do you think Peyton Manning has earned the title of Best QB to play football?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
He's close but not there yet. If he loses this Super Bowl -- and there is a lot of pressure on him -- the comparisons to Tom Brady will be starting up again. -
Kris, LA
5:13 PM ET
So all those rumors about the Patriots drafting Tebow were a bunch of rubbish?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
They are rumors. I wonder who started them, since Belichick talks to no one.
The real question on Tebow is not where he's going, but when he'll be draft. I think that will be the third round. -
Colin, Sacramento
5:14 PM ET
Since the start of the Superbowl, which team would you consider the best Superbowl team?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Colin, you've got to start with the Steelers. The Patriots' three championships are pretty close. And maybe the most exciting game for me (and I've been to 18 of them) was the Giants-Patriots game.
If every SB winner played in a tournament, I'd have to go with one of the Steelers teams of the '70s. -
Daniel, Indiana
5:17 PM ET
Who should the Colts draft this year?? Their offense seems set with a good o-line, and young, talented receivers. What are your takes?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Daniel, I don't agree fully about the o-line. They could use a right guard, a left tackle. You have to start thinking about another pass rusher since Freeney has been breaking down. -
David, SC
5:18 PM ET
A "compromised" Freeney. How much of an impact on the game?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
David, let's talk about if he plays first: They will run the ball right at him. If he only plays in pass situations, then I don't think they'll need a chip blocker -- and won't use one until he proves he can rush. That means five receivers out in the pattern -- which they wouldn't have done if he were healthy.
If Freeney doesn't play: Mathis will play RE, Raheem Brock will play LE, and the other adjustment will be a three-man front with a blitzer, which could be Session or Brackett. -
Will, LA
5:21 PM ET
What's your guess on the month that Favre will announce his decision by?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
August. August 15th to be exact. And he will return. He still loves the game, still plays at a high level. -
Spencer, Ontario, Canada
5:23 PM ET
Hey Pat, when is your first mock draft going to come out at who do you see going with the first 5 picks?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Probably right after the combine. Nonsense to have one before then. I don't have a top five together yet, but I do know Tim Tebow will not be there. (I like him, but he's not a first-rounder) -
Brandon, Canada
5:25 PM ET
Wayne Or Colston? Bigger impact?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Brandon, Colston is up against a rookie cornerback. I like that matchup any time. Wayne, if he is on Porter, they'll work him over. Brett Favre went after Porter in the NFC title game.
But both QBs are distribution QBs - they will get the ball to whoever is open. And I can't imagine Wayne being open too often. So he'll go right to Collie and Garcon. -
Jason, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
5:28 PM ET
Good day Pat, I think one glaring difference between the Colts and Saints is the penalty yards per game, How much is penalties going to play in this game and can the Saints stay focused in regards to minimizing the amount of penalties. Have a great day. I would be
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Penalties are always a problem, but I would be more concerned about points off turnovers. Between the regular and post-season, the Saints average over 9 points per game on turnovers, while the Colts average just under 5. -
Alan Tiseth, Chatham, Il
5:30 PM ET
Pat, I keep hearing about what Williams has done with the Saints defense, I watched the Vikings move up and down the field on them and don't you think Indy will do the same.
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Alan, Gregg brought a lot to the pressure package -- blitzing 55 percent on third down. Favre was prepared, and burned them on seven of the nine true blitzes that Gregg sent. I'm expecting a lot less blitz in this game because Peyton is capable. What frustrates Peyton more than pressue is man under two deep schemes where he struggles to find an open receiver. -
Jamie, Arkansas
5:33 PM ET
Hi Pat, Who wins a super bowl first, Dallas or Green Bay?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
It's anybody's guess. Both are legitimate candidates. I think the path for the Packers will be easier once Favre retires, compared to what the Dallas Cowboys face in the NFC East. -
Daul Lo, Wisconsin
5:34 PM ET
Do you think the Saints will run the ball more or pass the ball more or is it going to be a good mixture.
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
At the end of the day, they are trying to be balanced, which would be 45 percent run, 55 percent pass. But the nature of the game could change that. they could be upwards of 75 percent pass if the circummstances require. But they will try to run a ot on first down, which they did 49 percent of the time during the season. -
Payton, SJ, California
5:36 PM ET
Interesting you emphasize so much on the turnover aspect. I think the Colts are too disciplined for that. Do you believe the Colts are going to give up enough turnovers to give the Saints an edge?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Peyton threw 16 INTs in the regular season, one in the postseason. So in 18 games, he's thrown 17 interceptions. You've got to give some credit to the Saints' aggressive ball-hawking style. they already have seven turnovers in two playoff games this year. And they've scored 21 points off those seven turnovers. -
Toni, Ft. Lauderdale
5:38 PM ET
What are your thoughts on Austin Collie... is he a really good receiver or just a product of a really good system
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Toni, in my 10 things to watch for the game, he is my Colts X factor. As soon as they double Wayne and Clark, he's going to Collie and Garcon. Collie was targeted 17 times in two playoff games, catching 11 for 175 yards and two TDs. He is no joke. -
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
I had the chance to talk to Collie this week. Pay close attention to him on the sideline while watching the game: He never leaves Peyton's side, as Peyton is constantly adjusting his routes for the next series. The kid has really become a dependable receiver for him. -
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Heading down to radio row for my Sirius show. But first my prediction:
It's going to be a high-scoring game with the point total a little over 60. The lead will change six or seven times. And the Saints' red-zone defense will force enough field goals instead of touchdowns for New Orleans to grab the victory in Super Bowl XLIV. -
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Should be fun! Hope you all enjoy the game.
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