Several times people  complained that Super Bowls were dull or moody. But from the past two years, Super Bowl has been the best game of the NFL season. Giants over Patriots, then Steelers over Cardinals — both were fantastic games, both were decided by touchdowns in the closing seconds.

Both offered the signature plays of their seasons — the David Tyree helmet catch was the signature play of that season, James Harrison going the length of the field for a touchdown as time expired in the first half was the signature play of last year’s campaign. Will the Saints and Colts give the international audience a third consecutive fantastic Super Bowl? A signature play that purists will reminisce about decades from now?

The chances are good. Back in September, yours truly forecast an Indianapolis-New Orleans Super Bowl — both because I thought they’d be the league’s best teams, and because I thought that if they did reach the Super Bowl, they’d play a memorable game. Why? In addition to having good players and smart coaches, the Colts and Saints have contrasting styles.

Watching Indianapolis is like watching a factory play football. The Colts are methodical, predictable, disciplined, mechanical. They don’t run trick plays. Their offense hasn’t shown a new formation, or even a new play, in months. Their defense rarely varies its fronts. The Colts win because no NFL team has better offensive timing, defensive discipline and overall precision. Review film of the Colts and you know exactly what they are going to do — the question is, can you stop them?

Watching New Orleans is like watching an outdoor cocktail party play football. The Saints are spontaneous, unpredictable, boisterous. They love trick plays. Every week the offense shows new formations and actions. The defense uses a zany style — blitzing way too much, gambling for interceptions way too often. No NFL team plays a more relaxed style or seems to be having so much fun. Review film of the Saints and you have no idea what they are going to do — they probably don’t, either.

When the mechanized, cybernetic Colts meet the wacky, laissez-faire Saints, I for one am expecting a fantastic game. See my scouting notes below.

And don’t go anywhere during the fourth quarter! In the past two Super Bowls, a total of 37 points were scored in the first three quarters, then 44 points in the fourth quarter. In the Jersey/A-New England Super Bowl, the Pats bottled up Eli Manning until the fourth quarter, when he threw for 152 yards — the rate of a 600-yard passing game. In the Pittsburgh-Arizona Super Bowl, the Steelers bottled up Kurt Warner until the fourth quarter, when he threw for 247 yards — the rate of a 1,000-yard passing game. Don’t go anywhere in the fourth quarter! Lately, at least, that’s when the fun begins.

Next week, as part of a lavish Super Bowl column, I will bestow the coveted “longest award in sports” — the Tuesday Morning Quarterback Non-Quarterback Non-Running Back NFL MVP. The finalists are Gary Brackett, Dallas Clark, Jahri Evans, Nick Mangold, Darrelle Revis, Sidney Rice, Darren Sharper and Kevin Williams. (Only players from the championship round are eligible — if you’re going to wear the mantle of Most Valuable, you better have created some value.) Place your bets with your local bookie now.

In other lavish Super Bowl column news: Arugula, arugula! Clear the decks, prepare to dive! The TMQ Challenge makes its annual Super Bowl return (limited engagement). See details below.(source:sports.espn)