Tuesday’s question of the day: Who would win a game between the Colts and the Saints?

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Reporters from around the Tribune family tackle the question of the day, then you get a chance to chime in and tell them why they are wrong.

Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times

The last time these teams met, in the 2007 opener, Peyton Manning torched the Saints’ secondary and the Colts won, 41-10. That wouldn’t happen this time, and the lingering sting of that game is part of the reason. New Orleans made two pivotal changes on defense, replacing Jason David with Jabari Greer at left corner, and Josh Bullocks with Darren Sharper at free safety. Through seven games, the retooled Saints defense has six touchdowns (one more than Cleveland’s offense has in eight games) and would be the difference maker in a dream matchup against Indianapolis. What would the final score be? Saints 42, Colts 36. That’s Sharper’s number over Bullocks’ number. Let’s see if that holds up in February. Because the way these teams are playing, they could be meeting in Miami.

Ken Murray, Baltimore Sun

It would be a shootout in the Super Bowl: the league’s two most prolific quarterbacks, two of the most powerful offenses. Although I give Peyton Manning the edge over Drew Brees at quarterback, I like the Saints in this matchup for a couple reasons.

One, their offense is more versatile. The Colts run to give their receivers a break. The Saints run to offset the pass rush. Third-year man Pierre Thomas does what Reggie Bush couldn’t -- give the Saints an inside runner. And Brees has a wealth of big-play receivers that include Marques Colston, Jeremy Shockey and Bush.

But perhaps the biggest improvement the Saints have made was adding Greg Williams as defensive coordinator. His attack system has made the secondary more competitive, and the addition of safety Darren Sharper gives it teeth. In a game of nonstop big plays, I pick the Saints, 38-34.

Paul Doyle, Hartford Courant

Put the unbeaten Saints and the unbeaten Colts on opposite sidelines and watch the scoreboard light up. These teams – seemingly destined for a Super Bowl clash – have two of the most productive passers in the NFL and each has an array of receiving talent for their quarterback.
But beyond the passing of Peyton Manning and Drew Brees, there are sharp differences. The Colts (30th in the NFL in rushing) have no running game. The Saints (fourth in rushing) can move the ball with three talented backs (Pierre Thomas, Mike Bell and Reggie Bush).
And with an inability to control the ball on the ground, the Colts would put too much of pressure on their defense to shut down the Saints. We’re guessing New Orleans’ offense would wear down Indianapolis’ defense, just as they have rolled over one defense after another for seven weeks.
Our pick: Saints 35, Colts 28