The Saints' chore on defense is obvious yet complicated – stop Peyton Manning.

Manning has been marvelous again this season, making the key completions in playoff victories over the Ravens and Jets. He found weaknesses in two of the league's stingiest defenses, completing 67.5 percent of his throws for 623 yards, five touchdowns and one interception.

New Orleans must find a pass rush, and DE Will Smith was second in the NFC with 13 sacks. DT Sedrick Ellis, DE Bobby McCray and linebackers Jon Vilma, Scott Fujita and Scott Shanle need to pressure Manning, or he will use a deep collection of receivers to pick apart the Saints.

Reggie Wayne wasn't much of a factor in the AFC title game matched up with Darrelle Revis, but the Saints have nobody in Revis' class. CBs Jabari Greer and Tracy Porter struggled against the Vikings and Cardinals.

Dallas Clark versus another All-Pro, safety Darren Sharper, will be a juicy matchup. Clark had 100 receptions this season, and Sharper tied for the league lead with nine interceptions, running back three for scores. The ball-hawking Saints forced 39 turnovers.

The Colts will try to run with Joseph Addai and Donald Brown behind a line that was built to protect Manning but is effective enough in the ground game. Center Jeff Saturday and RT Ryan Diem are their premier blockers, but Indy has to win through the air.

New Orleans scored 510 points to lead the league and has 76 in two playoff games. The Saints have gotten everyone involved, with Drew Brees, the NFL's most accurate passer, throwing for six TDs while not being intercepted. Brees has more mobility than Manning and is effective, even brilliant at times, throwing on the run.

When he uses short drops for quick-hitting plays over the middle, Brees can be unstoppable.

So the Colts need to get in his face rapidly. If not, Brees will find WRs Marques Colston, Devery Henderson, Robert Meachem, Lance Moore and TEs Jeremy Shockey and David Thomas.

Indy will deploy lots of cornerbacks to handle the wideouts, including Kelvin Hayden, a hero of the Super Bowl win over the Bears; rookies Jacob Lacey and Jerraud Powers, who missed the AFC title game with a left foot problem; and Tim Jennings. What the Colts must avoid is winding up with standout safeties Antoine Bethea or Melvin Bullitt in single coverage on RB Reggie Bush.

The dynamic Bush often is a make-or-break proposition for New Orleans, and he's most dangerous in the passing game. Nose tackle Dan Muir, coming off two strong efforts, and active LBs Gary Brackett and Clint Session are the keys to slowing the running attack led by Pierre Thomas, Bush and Mike Bell.

Saints PK Garrett Hartley isn't likely to face a more stressful kick than the 40-yard field goal he made to lift his team into the Super Bowl. Unless, of course, he's asked to replicate that feat on Sunday.

Indy has veteran Matt Stover, who has replaced the injured Adam Vinatieri, the most successful Super Bowl kicker ever. Stover doesn't have long range, but is plenty accurate. Rookie punter Thomas Morstead has been steady for New Orleans. Indy rookie Pat McAfee also has performed well. Both can boom deep kickoffs, too.

Bush is the most dangerous returner. He broke free to score on an 83-yard punt runback against Arizona, but his muff against Minnesota nearly cost the Saints the game. Chad Simpson had a 93-yard kickoff return TD during the season.

Indy's kick coverage teams are superior to New Orleans'.

Associated Press

Matchup: New Orleans Saints vs. Indianapolis Colts

Time: Sunday at 5 p.m. on CBS

Location: Sun Life Stadium, Miami, Fla.

TV: Kickoff is scheduled for 5:25 p.m. on CBS. Pregame programming starts at noon.