Weather Forecast Looks Good for Super Bowl XLIV

NFL News - February 7th, 2010 - Written by John

When the two teams clash against each other every year in the Super Bowl, they face an additional opponent other than their Conference rivals. Each time a game is played in an outdoor setting, the weather forecast for the game is a significant variable that affects the way a team manages and plays the game. For anyone to disregard the weather is a severe injustice. History has shown that the only predictable behavioral pattern to Mother Nature is her unpredictability.

Flashback to the Indianapolis Colts last Super Bowl appearance in 2007 and you would get a rainy, humid, Miami night in which the Colts out-dueled the Chicago Bears 29-17 to win Super Bowl XLI.

This year in Miami, rain has played a factor throughout the entire week for Super Bowl XLIV. However, the front that came through on Saturday has pushed the rain away from the area, and should provide for a dry Super Bowl.....should...

By Kick off at 6:25pm EST on Sunday, forecasters predict a temperature of 66 degrees, which is slightly cooler for Miami in February. As the game wears on, the night air will grow colder, and temperatures will dip down into the mid to upper 50's.

Both Indianapolis and New Orleans play in a dome, which weather has no effect. Each team performed well on the road this season however, with the Colts winning seven of eight, and the Saints six of eight.

Colts head coach Jim Caldwell was an assistant for Indianapolis during the Super Bowl win over the Bears, and knows that the weather could always cause trouble in Miami.

"We'll get prepared for it just in case we have to deal with some of the same issues we had to deal with last time," Caldwell said in an interview earlier in the week.

The rainy weather in Miami leading up to the game has had no effect on the spread or the total for the game according to most Online Sportsbooks. The injury to Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney and his unknown status has been attributed to the slight change in the spread for the game. Some have the Colts has five-point favorites.

The over/under for the contest remains at 57 1/2 points according to the NFL Betting Lines at Bodog. This means that oddsmakers still believe that both offenses will be able to move the ball efficiently on the defenses.

Both quarterbacks, in Peyton Manning and Drew Brees, led the league in touchdown passes.

Brees has an array of weapons to throw too, as seven receivers had more than 30 receptions this seasons.

Manning and the Colts offense possess a potent passing attack as well with receivers Reggie Wayne and Pierre Garcon, along with Tiger end Dallas Clark.