First media bus to the stadium leaves in 30 minutes, and I'll be on it. Will be checking in here periodically once I get there, so feel free to start sending in comments if you have something on your mind.
by Paolo_Bandini at 2/7/2010 6:02:19 PM
Sorry - should also have said, kick-off is at 6pm local time, 11pm UK.
by Paolo_Bandini at 2/7/2010 6:02:55 PM
Just arrived at Sun Life Stadium, looks like I'm sat in amongst the UK press corps in the south-west corner (behind the end zone painted in the Colts' colours). It's basically empty at the moment but on the drive up we saw a lot more Saints jerseys than Colts' ones.
by Paolo_Bandini at 2/7/2010 7:45:29 PM
Press lunch box (the NFL always provides a little lunch box) looks a little healthier this year - carrot sticks and an apple in place of the usual potato chips. There's still a chocolate fudge brownie, naturally.
by Paolo_Bandini at 2/7/2010 7:47:13 PM
I won't pull in anyone's Twitter feed until near kick-off unless asked by the way - the guardian.co.uk audience isn't interested in what you had for tea.
by Paolo_Bandini at 2/7/2010 8:00:14 PM
Well, some of might be ...
by Paolo_Bandini at 2/7/2010 8:00:31 PM
It's a bright and sunny day in Miami, in case anyone was wondering, so unless there's quite a drastic turn there won't be any repeat of the rain storms of three years ago. Fairly windy though, which could make the passing games interesting.
by Paolo_Bandini at 2/7/2010 8:11:32 PM
I already posted this below the line on the NFL Talkboard, but for those that missed it, here is my prediction for the game:
"Right, guess I better get on and make my prediction for tomorrow's game. I have changed my mind on this pick more than once over the course of the week, and to be honest I think that is how you would hope it to be in a game like this, where it's top seed against top seed.
The Saints have a lot going for them. Drew Brees had the best passer rating in the league and although the Saints running game is nothing to write home about, it isn't the worst in the league either. There are enough versatile options in that backfield to give the Colts headaches and regardless of whether Dwight Freeney plays on Sunday (I still suspect he will), there's no way he's going on every down. That is a big boost for a team like the Saints, who are willing to go to the air on pretty much any down and distance.
I also think I might take the Saints' defence over their Colts counterparts. Turnovers define play-off games, and the Saints have shown all through this postseason that they know how to cause them. If Gregg Williams really does plan to throw the kitchen sink at Peyton Manning he may well regret it, as we all know how good Manning is at dealing with blitzes, but I suspect he's probably going to be a little cuter with his packages than people think.
But when push comes to shove, it's just so hard to pick against a team that is yet to lose a game this season when its starters are all playing. Manning has shown incredible poise already in the play-off run, dismantling the New York Jets' No1-ranked defence with an almost unnaturally cool-headed display after his team had fallen 17-6 behind. Brees, on the other hand, looked to me like he might have let nerves get the better of him towards the end of the NFC Championship game, and needed a little help from his defence, Vikings mistakes, and penalties to get him over the line. My pick ...
Colts 27-21 Saints"
by Paolo_Bandini at 2/7/2010 8:28:49 PM
A sensible point from JingleBells there. I can delete anything from here, even if it has appeared from a Twitter feed so yes, I reserve the right to moderate everything.
by Paolo_Bandini at 2/7/2010 8:31:02 PM
Things that will get through moderation: Comments about the game, questions about the game, humorous irreverence, compliments for excellent live coverage.
by Paolo_Bandini at 2/7/2010 8:32:15 PM
Things that won't get through moderation: Libel, slander, defamation, humourless irreverence, any mention of Arsenal's defeat to Chelsea.
by Paolo_Bandini at 2/7/2010 8:33:09 PM
I'd say you've got a fair bit of company there Colm - Saints are the overwhelming choice of the neutral, but not many seem prepared to actually pick against Manning.
by Paolo_Bandini at 2/7/2010 8:48:49 PM
As political analyst James Carville put it the other day: "If you're not from Indianapolis and you're rooting against the Saints, there's something wrong with you. You're a flawed human being. I'm serious. There's only one reason to be against the Saints, and that's because everyone is for them and you want to be different. This country loves two things above everything else, and that's underdogs and comebacks." Admittedly he is from Louisiana
by Paolo_Bandini at 2/7/2010 8:49:57 PM
Still hardly any fans in here but they're running one of those NFL Films Story of the Play-offs films on the big screens, which is getting me fired up. The NFL really does know how to do that stuff better than anybody.
by Paolo_Bandini at 2/7/2010 8:53:04 PM
Live footage from the Tailgate party is next up on the big screen, so we're now watching a band called Daughtry do their thing. Nope, me neither.
by Paolo_Bandini at 2/7/2010 9:07:32 PM
@Alex - Honestly, I have no idea. I know the ratings are supposed to be up on Sky Sports this year for the regular season games, but exact numbers I don't have.
by Paolo_Bandini at 2/7/2010 9:08:54 PM