Former Colts and Buccaneers coach Tony Dungy, who currently works for NBC’s Football Night in America, knows the potential impact of his words. When he said in December that the Cowboys had “no chance” to beat the Saints, the Cowboys used that statement as a rallying cry that carried them to the division round of the playoffs.
Earlier this week, Dungy told Dan Patrick that the winning coach in Super Bowl XLI would be “absolutely shocked” if the Colts lose to the Saints.
More recently, Dungy elaborated. And the Colts are likely cringing.
William C. Rhoden of the New York Times asked Dungy if quarterback Peyton Manning needs a last-minute, game-winning Super Bowl drive to secure his legacy.
Said Dungy: “I don’t think the game’s going to come down to that. I think they’re going to be so far ahead that people are going to say, ‘Oh, ho-hum, he played a good game, they won by two scores, the Colts won their second championship.’ He’s going to have those rings Sunday night. I don’t think it’s going to be close.”
With the Colts saying nothing at all to stir up the Saints, these words from the man who coached them from 2002 through 2008 surely will be used by New Orleans coach Sean Payton to inflame the fleur-de-lis. And if the Saints win, look for a few of them to say that Dungy’s declaration that, essentially, they have no chance pushed them over the top.