Phanatic Magazine's Super Bowl XLI Coverage

Peyton Manning's place in history. Bob Sanders' impact. Cedric Benson's blossoming role. Tank Johnson even on the field. Two African-American head coaches in the Super Bowl. The Phanatic Magazine has covered Super Bowl XLI's engaging storylines all week. Below, the staff finally hits home with game predictions, but before touching the crystal ball, read our one-click, in-depth analysis of Super Bowl XLI.

Predictions:

Jared Trexler: Like the age-old mantra reads, "Defense wins championships." Yet, interestingly enough, the great defense has struggled at times during the playoffs, while the porous unit has manned up and stopped the run against backs like Larry Johnson, Jamal Lewis and Corey Dillon. The key, like I wrote earlier in the week, will be Colts safety Bob Sanders. If he can take on the pulling guard on Chicago's traps and halfback leads, it will leave rejuvenated linebackers Cato June and Rob Morris free to make plays. Forecasted rain gives Chicago a slight advantage, negates Indy's speed to a degree, and allows the Bears' offensive tackles to withstand Dwight Freeney's speed rush. Sanders won't be a great factor, Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson will keep Peyton Manning off the field, and Rex Grossman will join Trent Dilfer in the group of worst quarterbacks to win a Super Bowl. Who cares? It's all about the ring, baby.

Chicago 20, Indianapolis 13

John Gottlieb: Much like the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVI, the Bears are going into this game with everyone in the country -- minus the people in Illinois -- thinking they can't get the job done. They weren't given much of a chance against New Orleans and they were at home. Then, there are the questions about Rex Grossman becoming the worst quarterback to ever win a Super Bowl. He won't be because this is Peyton Manning's year. As long as the weather isn't too bad Manning will spread the ball across the field, which will open up holes for Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes. However, Chicago will keep it close. The Bears are going to run the ball to limit the damage Grossman can do. The return of Bob Sanders to the Indy defense has paid dividends, but Chicago's running game will keep it in the game. Grossman's inability to consistently complete the short passes will put the Bears in third-and-long situations, which will eventually lead to a turnover. Adam Vinatieri will find himself in a typical situation and boot a late game-winner. Manning will finally reach the top of the NFL mountain, win a Super Bowl MVP, leaving us to talk about the next best player to never win a Super Bowl (Donovan McNabb).

Indianapolis 27, Chicago 24

Jeff Glauser: I think of Trent Dilfer. I think of Jeff Hostetler. Then I think of Rex Grossman and I think, “Why not?” However, the answer is because the aforementioned mediocre QB’s had healthy, ferocious defenses that could literally take over a game. The Bears had that, too – in September. Unfortunately, key injuries have decimated the unit’s once dominant play. On the flip side, there’s that ambiguous element called “intangibles” for the Colts. For most of this season, they have won because of Peyton Manning. For most of the playoffs, they have won in spite of him. There seems to be a feeling that this team has finally exorcised its demons. By Sunday, we’ll know for sure.

Indianapolis 27, Chicago 17

Tim McManus: This game to me is acrobat meets bulldozer. When you think of the biggest weaknesses in Indy this season, it's been the inability to establish a physical presence along the front lines. Defensively, the Colts have tightened things up in the postseason, but if anyone can expose the deficiency that plaqued Indianapolis all year, it's a mauling offensive line like Chicago. The same rings true on the flip side of the ball. Can anyone envision the Colts running game being a factor against this sledge hammer of a front seven? I don't believe Peyton Manning or Rex Grossman will be particular stellar, so this game may ride on the kicking game. Make it Robbie Gould booting the game-winner late this time around, not Adam Vinatieri.

Chicago 17, Indianapolis 16

Steve Lienert: Offensively, the Colts are far superior than the Bears. But is that gap wide enough to cover the Colts' disadvantages on defense and special teams? Chicago's defense is worthy of the Super Bowl, and Devin Hester can have a big return at any point in the game. For Indianapolis to win, it's on Peyton Manning's shoulders. He is going to have to carry the Colts across the finish line himself. Unlike a lot of people, I think Rex Grossman could actually have a decent game -- throw for say 250 yards, two scores with a pick. But Chicago will have to get at least two turnovers and/or have Hester break one to win. The Bears will cover the seven-point spread, but once again, Adam Vinatieri will be the difference.

Indianapolis 30, Chicago 24

Michael Rushton: Many think Payton Manning has gotten the monkey off his back, but as the Eagles learned a few seasons ago, it takes more than just getting to the Super Bowl to win one. Ultimately, the Bears defense will get to Manning, who has been less than stellar so far in the playoffs, minus the second half of the AFC title game. For the Bears, Rex Grossman needs to play well enough not to lose the game. Chicago has the far superior defense and the better running back duo in Thomas Jones and the emerging Cedric Benson.

Chicago 24, Indianapolis 21

John McMullen: I find it amusing that a large number of Eagles fans continue to question whether Donovan McNabb can bring the Birds back to the top. This isn’t the ’70s when the big boys all had Hall of Fame type quarterbacks at the helm. In case you haven’t noticed, Rex Grossman is about to play in the Super Bowl. So, believe me when I tell you, DMac is capable of winning the big game. Of course, so are Jeff Garcia and Jim Sorgi. Simply put, anyone can get to the watered down big dance nowadays. The NFL is where parity rules and now that nearly every coach in the league is a virtual clone, luck (as in staying healthy) has become more important than any scheme or player. The fact that Tony Dungy will be squaring off with his doppelganger on Sunday is more proof of that. As for the game itself, don’t expect any surprises and, in the end, Grossman will likely be the downfall of a Chicago Bears team that is actually more talented from top to bottom than Indianapolis.

Indianapolis 28, Chicago 20

Eric Redner: The Bears need to do several things in order to win this game. First, the defense has to be tough and keep the octane-charged Colts offense from putting too many points up on the board. If Indianapolis goes up 14-0 within the first or second quarter this game is over. Second, Rex Grossman does not have to be spectacular (bad quarterbacks have won the Super Bowl before), but he does have to keep from making any silly mistakes. A decent game from him in which he limits interceptions and directs a couple of long drives to keep the Colts offense off the field will go a long way towards winning the game. The Colts are the favorite for several reasons and if they can do those things the Vince Lomabrdi Trophy should be in Manning's hands sometime around 10 p.m. First, score quickly and often to put the Bears offense on their heels. If the defense can get to the quarterback and cause him to hurry things up and make rash decisions, Grossman will wind up turning over the ball. Finally, don't do anything ridiculous. The Colts are the better team in this match-up and they know it.

Indianapolis 30, Chicago 17