What the howl?

For NFL enthusiasts, this is it. The entire season has come down to this week and I would not be surprised if beer sales are higher than average over the upcoming weekend.

Superbowl Sunday, 2010. On one side, it's the well-polished offense of the Indianapolis Colts, led by field general Peyton Manning. On the other side, it's the high-octane, big play oriented offense of the New Orleans Saints, led by Drew "The Surgeon" Brees.

Both teams were dominant during the regular season. The Colts were well on their way to finishing 16-0 before they pulled some of the starters in the later quarters of their last games.

Although that decision was not popular with fans at the time, I have a feeling they don't mind so much now.

The Saints remained undefeated until week 15, when the Dallas Cowboys handed them their first loss. The Saints would finish 13-3, giving them the top seed in the NFC.

Some pundits questioned whether the team had lost its steam; I think we have our answer to that question.

There are four reasons why you can not root against the Saints this Sunday.

1. It's thei r first trip to the Superbowl.

After 42 years in the league. Yeah, you read that right. Now, only the Texans, Browns, Jaguars, and Lions are worthy of being part of such a distinguished group. The Non-Superbowl group. And the Lions have been at it for 80 years. Ouch.

2. Hurricane Katrina.

Remember that one? Yeah, it happened about four and a half years ago, but the city is still rebuilding. It shouldn't be surprising.

The city experienced over $100 billion in damages, and just under 2000 deaths. The Saints did not play a home game during the entire 2005 season; in fact, the Superdome was used as a shelter for those who had stayed behind during the storm.

Now, the Superdome is a different type of shelter - it is a place of pride and resiliency. It represents the unbending spirit of the people who come and yell, "Who Dat?"

3. "Who Dat?"

Have you heard that the NFL recently tired to claim the rights to that phrase? No, I'm not kidding. The Saints make it to the Superbowl, and still, people are trying to take from them!

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal even got involved. After exchanging correspondence with the Louisiana Attorney General, the NFL decided to drop the whole thing.

And Saints fans? They're printing shirts that read, "Who Dat say we can't print Who Dat?" And they've won again.

4. The Underdogs against The Establishment.

Peyton Manning is a household name, having won a record four MVP awards during his storied career.

Drew Brees was a second round draft pick, spending the first five years of his career with the San Diego Chargers.

However, they decided to let him go, opting instead for quarterback Phillip Rivers, who will be at home watching the Superbowl, because his team was defeated by the Jets in the divisional round of the playoffs. Whoops.

The Saints have pieced together a team of scrappers - a team that embodies the spirit of its city. Guys like Jonathan Vilma, Jeremy Shockey, and Darren Sharper have led the team with grit and determination. And it has paid off.

There you have it, ladies and gentlemen. The four reasons for why you cannot root against the Saints.

As Jason Gay, writer for the Wall Street Journal, put it, "Rooting against the Saints is like rooting against Elin Nordegren." Don't do it.