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Superbowl XLI Has Many Storylines, One Winner

It is the final game of the season that counts. Unless they win at Dolphin Stadium in Miami on February 4, the historic seasons posted by the two teams will count for little. The two finalists started the 2006 season undefeated, Indianapolis in the first nine games of the season and Chicago in seven. They have each reached the Superbowl after long years of absence. The city of Chicago still remembers the Superbowl XX champions, while the Colts played only when they were still located in Baltimore, winning Superbowl V.

Now they?re back. The Bears, behind the league?s fifth ranked defense, received surprising backup from their offense in their win over the New Orleans Saints for the NFC Championship. Not a single turnover and only one penalty, along with 183 rushing yards were all that All-Pro Linebacker Brian Urlacher & Co. needed to help seal the victory. They will face an even greater challenge in the league?s third ranked offense that is the Colts?. Quarterback Peyton Manning will try and continue the come-from-behind, closing minutes, 80-yard touchdown drive that put the Colts ahead of the New England Patriots 38-34 for the Superbowl tickets, a trip that will be all the more pleasant now that the Patriots monkey is off the team?s back.

While the teams compete on the field, history will be made along the sidelines. The two coaches - the Bears Lovie Smith and Colts Tony Dungy - are the first African-American head coaches to reach the Super Bowl in its 41 year long history. They are also close friends, Dungy giving Smith his first job as a linebacker coach on the Tampa Bay Bucs staff 10 years ago. But this seems not to impress Smith all that much, speaking what is likely on his friend?s mind as well: ?I`ll feel even better to be the first black coach to hold up the world championship trophy.?