Meet the press

NFL Network aired most of the Colts and Patriots news conferences on Friday, but the most interesting were Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. Brady had spoken with the media earlier in the week, but Manning made his first appearance.

The contrast was apparent. Brady was loose, relaxed, joking with the media about finding $40 in his suit pocket. Manning looked nervous and uncomfortable to start, loosening up as the interview went on. Does that capture their feelings about the showdown? Perhaps. After all, Brady's reputation remains the same whether he wins or loses. He has his rings. His status as a clutch quarterback is cemented. Manning needs this win to break through a barrier -- reaching the Super Bowl -- that he hasn't been able to navigate in the past.

I believe this is a game the Colts should win. They're playing at home where they haven't lost a game all season and they're playing their best "team" football of the season. But the two men at the helm of the offenses will play key roles. If Brady's too relaxed, he may make some risky throws that Nick Harper or Bob Sanders can pick off. If Manning's too tight, he might make mistakes that way. It'll be the quarterback who reaches the happy medium whose team will prevail.

And, as Dwight Freeney said, there's a lot more going on in this game than Manning vs. Brady.

I believe I've reached the point of preview saturation on this showdown. Can't wait to see what happens, not what everyone thinks will happen.