Alot Riding On The Legs Of Joseph Addai Going Into Super Bowl XLIV

NFL News - January 28th, 2010 - Written by John

There is a lot riding on the arm of Peyton Manning.

There is a lot to be proven by the beaten and bandaged Indianapolis Colts secondary.

But for Joseph Addai, being the lead rusher on the league's worst-rated rushing attack means that there will be little pressure put on him as Super Bowl 44 nears. Addai and Donald Brown have accumulated a mere 1,109 yards combined through the regular season, and continued that with only 143 total yards in their two playoff games. The Colts have transformed into a pure passing team with four legitimate threats, meaning the running game has taken a backseat while Manning plays Battleship with the New Orleans Saints.

Addai was an important piece to the team's Super Bowl win over the Chicago Bears in 2007, but Bodog's NFL Player Prop Betting page expects impact to be minimal next weekend.

His rushing line is set at 65 1/2 with a payout of -125 if he goes over, and -120 if he goes under. His longest run is projected to be around 14 1/2.

It probably doesn't help that Manning has also been audibling out of running plays.

But three years ago, when Indianapolis faced Chicago's fifth-rated defense in the Super Bowl, Addai was every bit a part of it's 29-17 win as Manning was. While Manning threw for only 247 yards and a touchdown, Addai combined for 143 total yards, had a game-high 10 receptions, and could have been named the game's MVP.

That honor, however, went to Manning because Addai split time with Dominic Rhodes.

He will have to split time again with Brown, which means breaking his 77-yard rushing total will be all-the-more difficult.

If he stays under, Bodog will pay out at -215. If he is able to cross that mark this time, against New Orleans' 21st-ranked rush defense, bettors will be rewarded with a +175 return.

Keep in mind he may be able to break that mark in one run. Although the Colts have faltered in the run game, the Saints still allowed a 70-yard touchdown to Arizona Cardinals running back Tim Hightower on the first play of their divisional-round game, and surrendered 122 yards to Adrian Peterson in the conference championship.

Hightower didn't have a single run of 70 yards all year, and Peterson hadn't crossed 100 yards since Week 10.