Opening A Can Of Defending Champ Domination

And you thought the defending champs were getting soft?

Last night, Peyton Manning and the crew completely dismantled the New Orleans Saints 41-10 in front of not only their home crowd, but a national audience thirsty for some real football.

Indianapolis blitzed the Saints in what a lot of people were saying was a potential preview of the Super Bowl in Glendale, Arizona. If it was, chalk another one up for the AFC.

Manning put up 288 yards passing, connecting with Reggie Wayne for seven catches, 115 yeards and three TDs, abusing former Colts cornerback Jason David in the process.

(Side note: David's public lynching eerily reminded me of the demolishing that was done to former Packers' corner Ahmad Carroll in 2004 against the Eagles. Carroll was abused by Donovan McNabb and Terrell Owens in a Monday Night Football matchup in Philly. He got burned for 3 TD's and, despite being a first-round pick, was cut the very next day.)

(Side note no. 2: Don't you love how television networks highlight the players as they're getting abused. The close-ups of David on the bench were priceless.)

The Colts defense, however, was the real star of the show. With safety Bob Sanders healthy, they looked hungry as hell against the much-hyped Saints offense. They didn't allow one offensive touchdown all game (the Saints only TD came ironically from David after recovering a fumble by Wayne) and held Deuce McCallister and Reggie Bush to 38 yards rushing apiece.

If the Colts can continue to stop the run like they did last night, while having their own run game (Joseph Addai went for 118 yards on 23 carries) compliment their explosive offense, Peyton Manning could definitely be getting fitted for a second consecutive Super Bowl ring.