How the Indianapolis Colts (15-4) and the Chicago Bears (15-3) match up in the Super Bowl:

WHEN THE COLTS HAVE THE BALL

Everything starts and revolves around Peyton Manning (18), the best quarterback of his generation. Surprisingly, Manning has not been outstanding in Indianapolis’ run to the AFC championship. But the Bears will count on facing the guy who has torn up the league for most of his career, the one who guided an 80-yard drive to the deciding touchdown in the AFC title game.

Manning has so many weapons that the Bears might need to scrap some of their cover- 2 pass defenses and gamble on man coverage. WRs Marvin Harrison (88) and Reggie Wayne (87) are the most formidable targets, but TE Dallas Clark has been sensational in the playoffs with a team-high 17 catches for 281 yards (16.5 average, superb for a tight end). RBs Joseph Addai (29) and Dominic Rhodes (33) also are good receivers, and the Colts’ running game can serve as a nice complement to Manning’s passing.

Of course, the Bears shut down the NFC’s best offense when they beat the Saints for the NFC title. Even without injured tackle Tommie Harris, they shut down runs through the middle as All-Pro LB Brian Urlacher (54) and all of the linemen had strong games. Indy must get a surge from center Jeff Saturday (63) and guards Ryan Lilja (65) and Jake Scott (73) to offer some balance on the ground. It’s unlikely Addai and Rhodes will have a great impact running the outside against active ends Adewale Ogunleye (93) and Alex Brown (96), Urlacher and OLB Lance Briggs (55).

Look for Manning to test CBs Charles Tillman (33), Ricky Manning Jr. (24) and Nathan Vasher (31) early, hoping to spring Harrison, who has not been a big factor in the playoffs, or Wayne. He’ll also turn to Clark against safeties Chris Harris (46) and Danieal Manning (38).

If Indy can protect Manning, particularly when rookie sackmaster Mark Anderson (97) is in the game, some deep throws could be open. And the way Reggie Bush abused several DBs on his 88-yard catch and run score in the NFC championship match, don’t be surprised if the Colts try to spring Addai out of the backfield.

WHEN THE BEARS HAVE THE BALL

Coach Lovie Smith was asked how important a ball control offense would be against the Colts. He didn’t think it was such a big deal, despite the prolific Manning.

Why? Because Smith is confident the Bears will be potent with the ball.

Could be — if they are able to run on the Colts.

Thomas Jones (20) and Cedric Benson (32) are a solid but unspectacular duo, and Jones comes off a superb effort against New Orleans. He already has four TDs rushing to go with 189 yards in two playoff games, and Smith makes sure neither back is overworked.

Both are good inside runners and Jones showed his versatility and moves with some excellent runs against the Saints that he broke outside. Chicago’s offensive line is anchored by All-Pro center Olin Kreutz (57), veteran tackles John Tait (76) and Fred Miller (69) and guards Ruben Brown (74) and Roberto Garza (63). It’s one of the best units in the NFL.

It needs to perform at a high level because Rex Grossman (8) has been such an uncertainty at quarterback. Grossman won’t ever be compared with Manning, but the guy does win, and he made no mistakes in the NFC title contest. Indeed, he’s made more big plays in the postseason than bonehead ones, and if he isn’t severely pressured, expect Grossman to make good decisions.