David and Goliath to battle in Super Bowl

With the exception of Minnesota, every state exploded in an outpouring of "Aww, good for them!" sentiment when the New Orleans Saints knocked off the Minnesota Vikings to advance to Super Bowl XLIV — their first in franchise history.

At first, it was mere sympathy for an embattled franchise that has made the playoffs six times since 1967, but now it's an epidemic of sorts. Seemingly everyone has jumped on the "Who Dat?" bandwagon like it's a lifeboat on the Titanic.

Everyone saw the match-up against the Indianapolis Colts coming back when these two teams were still undefeated late in the regular season. But the twist is monumental: Playing against a team that represents a disaster-ravaged, victory-starved state, Peyton Manning is nothing less than the villain of Super Bowl XLIV.

The best and most likable player in the game today is standing in the way of N'awlins' glory. We're talking heavy duty, dream-killing bad guy in this storyline.

New Orleans can upset Peyton and the Colts, but it won't be easy. The Saints beat the surging Vikings, but only because Brett Favre attempted an across-the-body throw even though he had enough running room to take the ball down Bourbon Street. Favre's throw was intercepted, and a game that was statistically dominated by Minnesota suddenly went the other way: The Saints forced overtime, marched down the field, kicked a field goal and the deal was sealed.

The Saints deserved to win that game, but they weren't going to pull it off the way Minnesota was moving on that final drive. They got an outrageously lucky break with that interception. It kept them alive.

Meanwhile, the Colts manhandled the Jets in the AFC Championship game. After Gang Green jumped to a quick 17-6 lead, it was like a light bulb went off over Peyton's head as he stared down New York's vaunted defense. The Jets never sniffed the end zone again. Did I mention Peyton called all his own plays in the second half? He essentially dismantled the best defense in football all by his lonesome.

The Saints are tricky. Everyone loves them and they play like champions, but nobody has beaten Peyton Manning this season. No, games where he was pulled and the Colts lost don't count (exhibit A: Week 16 vs. the Jets).

Meanwhile, the Saints lost outright to Dallas, Carolina and Tampa Bay. Not many teams lost to the Bucs and Panthers this year. New Orleans stumbled late but dominated the playoffs, while Indy was a brick wall for 19 weeks. The David and Goliath situation here really can't be overstated.

And then there's the choke factor. The 18-0 Patriots did, and the Saints got into the Super Bowl off a Favre pick just like the Giants did in 2007. History always repeats itself, and everyone secretly loves to see the mighty fall.

Truthfully, I'm a fan of Peyton, villainy be damned, and I expect the Colts to win. But goodness gracious, I love them Saints for the same reasons as everyone else.