Saints-Colts Time of Possession Impact.

After talking with Jonathan, I was led down the direction on what game plan Saint Sean should use.

The thought, maybe the Saints should attack and not worry about controlling the ball. Posting as many points as possible.
Below is the Data: I excluded the last 2 games the Colts pulled the major players.

	Colt			toclts	to
35-31	24.34	35.26	jags	3	1
28-15	28.33	31.27	den	1	1
27-17	27.01	32.59	ten	1	2
35-27	28.08	31.52	hou	2	3
17-15	27.24	32.36	bal	3	2
35-34	24.58	35.01	ne	2	2
20-17	25.27	34.33	hou	2	3
18-14	26.26	33.34	SF	0	2
42-6	30.39	29.21	rams	0	2
34-17	28.54	31.06	sea	2	1
31-10	31.42	28.18	phx	1	3
27-23	14.53	45.07	mia	0	1
14-12	26.04	33.56	jax	2	0
playoff
20-3	33.58	26.02	balt	4	1
30-14	31.25	28.35	jet	1	1
Saints	32.11	30.11

Summary:
The time of possession will matter. Especially for the Saints.
The Colts win if they have the ball anywhere close to 50/50.
Teams tended to keep the game close if they controlled the ball. Defenses tend to break when Manning has time to study the weaknesses.

The Saints win if Saint Sean controls the game with his short passing scheme.
New Orleans has a good ratio of ball control during the season, enhanced by turnovers with teams playing catch-up. The Colts tend to score not turn over the ball.

The Colts win if they keep up the incredible red zone efficiency when they have to score. The time of possession is only important if they do not get 25 minutes.
If they get ahead, Brees will have to face a bend but don't break defense that will depend on the pass rush with an unhealthy Freeney.

I think the Saints have the right coach and QB to control the ball and keep Manning off of the field and lacking in opportunities.

The scary part for the Saints is if the Colts decide to control change their normal game plan and control the ball like Dallas did, focusing on short routes that controlled the clock.

j