Pickings anything but slim

In survey, weigh-ins tilt the scales to Colts

David Nielsen, Scripps Howard News Service

Published February 3, 2007 at midnight

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Peyton Manning and the Colts are going to run roughshod over the Bears this Sunday.

That's the opinion of the vast majority of celebrities who participated in the 18th Scripps Howard Celebrity Super Bowl Poll. Of the folks who made predictions, 71 percent think the Indianapolis Colts will win Super Bowl XLI, while only 27 percent picked the Chicago Bears. Two percent didn't pick a winner.

Many of the celebrities picked Indianapolis because of Manning, the Colts' All-Pro quarterback playing in the first Super Bowl of his nine-year career.

In the previous 17 years of the Celebrity Super Bowl Poll, the celebrities have picked the winning team 11 times, including last year, when 73 percent correctly predicted Pittsburgh would beat Seattle.

In another good omen for Colts fans, Haley Joel Osment, the 18-year-old actor who correctly has predicted the past seven Super Bowl winners, foresees Indianapolis winning 31-24.

"I've been a big Peyton Manning fan for a while, and I think it's finally his time," he said.

Although Indy has been listed as a solid 7-point favorite by Las Vegas bookmakers, there are some celebrities who insist the underdog Bears will pull off an upset.

2006 NBA Finals MVP Dwyane Wade, a Chicago native, picks the Bears, 28-24, "Because we're the best!"

Jerry Mathers, who played the Beaver on Leave it to Beaver, likes the Bears, 20-17.

"Peyton Manning has always been shaky in the playoffs," he said. "I think defense wins the game. The Bears, because of their defense, are going to win it."

Former tennis player Pam Shriver is picking the Bears, 28-17, for an entirely different reason.

"I am a Baltimore native and still hold a huge grudge that the Colts left and took the name," she said.

Actor Dennis Farina also picked the Bears to win, 23-17.

"In order to beat the Bears, you have to beat the Bears' defense," he said.

"Rex Grossman's confidence and intelligence has grown over the season, and it's only his first full season as a quarterback. He's only going to get better."

Farina might be on to something.

He has picked the past five Super Bowl winners, and two years ago, he won the Scripps Howard Super Sage Award by picking New England to beat Philadelphia, 24-21, which was the final score of Super Bowl XXXIX.

Since Scripps Howard started the Celebrity Super Bowl Poll in 1990, only one other celebrity ever has picked the winner and the score exactly right. Tennis legend Martina Navratilova aced it in 1998 when she predicted Denver would beat Green Bay 31-24 in Super Bowl XXXII.

PAUL NEWMAN, actor: Bears, 21- 20. I wouldn't have picked the Bears over the Patriots, but I think they'll be able to squeak by the Colts.

SYLVESTER STALLONE, actor: Colts, 38-30. They are a team of destiny, and nothing could be harder than what they went through to get here.

JACK NICKLAUS, golfer: Colts, 34- 24. I think in a warm-weather game, with no elements working in their favor, it might be tough for the Bears to keep Peyton Manning and the Colts offense under 34 points. I think the Colts defense is often underrated, and I am not sure the Bears can score more than 24 points on them.

ARNOLD PALMER, golfer and 2003 Super Sage Award winner: Colts, 31-24. I take the Colts for two reasons: Peyton Manning at quarterback, and the Colts are a faster team.

SEN. JOHN McCAIN, R-Ariz.: Colts by six.

SEN. JOHN KERRY, D-Mass.: Colts, 34-27, because the Colts (barely) beat the New England Patriots, and the Patriots are the toughest, grittiest, smartest team in the NFL. And the AFC is much stronger than the NFC this year.

GEN. MICHAEL V. HAYDEN, director of the CIA: Colts, 27-14. My wife, a Chicagoan, has adopted my beloved Steelers with all the zeal of a convert. So my heart has to go with the Bears. But the best intelligence still says Colts, if they can master the outdoors.

SERENA WILLIAMS, Australian Open tennis champion: Colts, 17-13.

AL FRANKEN, radio talk-show host: Bears, 21-20. They're in the NFC North. Any team that can get past the Vikings can beat anybody.

PAT ROBERTSON, reverend: Colts, 17-14. The score will be 14-14 and go into overtime, and the Colts will win on a field goal.

DR. JOYCE BROTHERS, psychologist: Colts, 31-17. Peyton Manning will win to inspire his younger brother (New York Giants quarterback Eli).

GARY SINISE, actor, CSI: New York: The Bears will win the Super Bowl this year. I have felt it from the beginning. Even with all the craziness with Rex Grossman. I knew they would win in '86 and I know it now.

WILLIAM SHATNER, actor, Boston Legal: Colts, 24-17, because of Peyton Manning.

MICKEY ROONEY, actor: Bears, 24-14. It's gonna be a fascinating game, as all Super Bowls are.

JIMMIE JOHNSON, 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup champion: Colts, 31-28. I've followed Peyton's career for quite a while. I know how it feels to be so close so many times and come up short. It's an incredible feeling to win your sport's highest title. I hope Peyton gets the ring.

BOBBY PLUMP, whose winning shot for Milan High School in 1954 inspired the movie Hoosiers: Colts, 34-24. I think Indianapolis has too much offense.

MATT KENSETH, NASCAR driver: Colts, 34-17. My feeling is that there is no way the Bears offense will keep pace with (the) Colts offense. Unless the Bears' 'D' can force five turnovers and get a couple of defensive or special-team scores, they will be history.

JESSE L. MARTIN, actor, Law & Order: Colts, 31-24. They have more experience and they're playing in warm weather.

KERRI WALSH, Olympic beach volleyball player: Colts, 27-18. I'm a big fan of Peyton and Tony Dungy and I think the Colts will pull out a hard-fought game. Their defense has stepped up in the last couple of weeks, and with their playmakers on offense, I see them getting it done.

TONY SIRICO, Paulie Gaul- tieri on The Sopranos: Colts, 21-14. Too much experience. Warm weather, too.

JOE GANNASCOLI, Vito Spatafore on The Sopranos: Colts, 34-20. The Colts are going to beat them big. I think their time has come and I think they are going to rattle Rex Grossman.

JERRY FALWELL, reverend: Colts by two touchdowns.

BOBBY THOMSON, former New York Giants baseball player who in 1951 hit the "Shot Heard 'Round the World": Colts, 24-17. I better go with Manning. You figure he's been so close and done so much.

RALPH BRANCA, former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher who threw the home run pitch to Thomson: Colts, 41-24. They've got more offense. Chicago's defense is good, but so was New England's.

CHUCK YEAGER, first pilot to break the sound barrier: Colts, 21-14. Peyton Manning is my favorite quarterback.

GORDON CLAPP, actor: Bears, 38-10. If Rex Grossman and the Bears defense play the way they have shown they can play, the Colts won't be able to touch them.

STEPHEN ROOT, actor: Colts, 27-21. Rex Grossman of the Bears will be inconsistent. The Colts' lighter and faster defense will keep the Bears from scoring much. This is all assuming Peyton is perfect.

MOLLY SIMS, actress, Las Vegas: Colts, 31-24. They are the stronger team over past few years. Peyton Manning is due his Super Bowl ring.

JENNIE FINCH, Olympic softball standout: Colts, 34-27. Even though I love Chicago, I think the Colts will win. I really want Peyton to win a Super Bowl. Everyone is all over him about not winning the Big One. He is ready to lead his team to victory!

SCOTT TUROW, author: Bears, 24-20. I'm a lifetime Bears fan. I used to go the games with my father when I was a kid back when they played at Wrigley Field. I'm Bears all the way.

VINCE NEIL, Motley Crue lead singer: Colts, 31-24. Chicago's defense is tough, but at the end of the day, the Colts offense is better.

JOAN JETT, rock musician: Colts, 28- 14.

ALFRED RASCON, retired Army major, Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipient: Bears, 21- 14. After the midnight exodus of the Baltimore Colts, I support anybody except the (Indianapolis) Colts.

JEFF BURTON, NASCAR driver: Colts, 28-24. They've come close so many times. It's their time to win.

JAMES REYNOLDS, actor, Days of Our Lives: Colts, 37-31. The why is: Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne and Tony Dungy. In a historic matchup of African-American coaches, the teacher will be the pupil.

SCOTT ADAMS, Dilbert cartoonist: Colts, 21-7. A common question high-tech companies ask in interviews is, "If a bear fought a colt, which one would win?" Considering speed, height and kicking reach, I have to go with the colt. And if Peyton Manning is riding the colt, its chances are even better.

WILLIAM SANDERSON, actor: Colts, 31-17. The Colts will outscore and outrun the Bears, who will be looking to hibernate by the second half.

BOB COUSY, Hall of Fame NBA guard: Colts, 37- 12. I think it's finally Peyton Manning's turn. On a neutral court, go with the Colts.

RANDY JACKSON, American Idol co-host: Colts by 14.

PHIL JACKSON, coach, Los Angeles Lakers: Bears, 20-15. Defense wins. This Bears team is like Tampa Bay was in 2001 or 2. Can you remember their quarterback?

RUSSELL JOHNSON, The Professor, Gilligan's Island: I don't think there's any doubt that Indianapolis should win. Colts by 10 points.

LEAH REMINI, actress, The King of Queens: Colts, 34-23. Well, basically, that is what my husband said, so I am going with him.

MIKE ERUZIONE, captain of the 1980 U.S. Olympic gold medal- winning hockey team: Colts, 31-21. This is Peyton's year.

GARY STEVENS, Hall of Fame jockey: Bears, 31- 27. I think they are more of a team. Their offense is very solid and their defense has stepped up throughout the playoffs.

SUSAN ANTON, entertainer: Colts, 31-24. Wow, this is a hard one. As always, it will all come down to turnovers. The Colts are more vulnerable in this regard with their passing game and the aggressive Bears defense coming at them in full force, but with a healthy Peyton Manning at the helm, playing the "game of his life," I feel the Colts will prevail!

AL OERTER, four-time Olympic gold medalist in discus: Colts, 35-21. Go with the team with the better quarterback, and that's Indianapolis.

JERMAIN TAYLOR, world middleweight boxing champion: Colts, 30-24. Peyton will not be denied, but (the) Bears will play better than people think. Dallas Clark is hot for the Colts and will be a wild card. Lots of turnovers, and the Patriots exposed a problem with the Colts' kickoff coverage.

BILL O'REILLY, Fox talk-show host: Colts, 31-10.

TONY PARKER, San Antonio Spurs guard: Colts, 25-20. Hopefully, it will be a high score. I like seeing touchdowns. Over the years, Peyton Manning has always been close. I just feel like finally, this is his year.

PHYLLIS DILLER, comedian: Colts by eight. The guy with the bad thumb, Peyton Manning, it's his time.

PENN & TELLER, magicians/comedians: Colts, 28-17. Because if you add 28 and 17, you get 43. Add 4 and 3, and you get 7, which is Mickey Mantle's number. We like Peyton Manning. We've heard he has a monkey.

JAMES BLAKE, tennis player: Colts, 27-17. Peyton is going to get the monkey off his back and win the big one and be crowned MVP of the game.

TOM SCHOLZ, Boston band founder: Bears by 11. With the Pats eliminated, maybe they should drop "Super Sunday" and just call it "Pretty Good Sunday." Plus, I was really hoping for the Saints. But seriously, with two unstoppable offenses taking turns, it should still be an exciting game.

DIONNE WARWICK, singer: Colts, 28-21. Although I think the Bears are the better team, I think the Colts will take the prize because Lovie studied under Dungy. It will be the teacher against the pupil in this case.

DANICA PATRICK, IndyCar driver: Bears, 31-27. I think this game is going to have a little bit of everything. I think both teams will start out slow, probably just a couple of field goals in the early part of the game. But then I think it will be wide open in the second half.

CHARLIE SHEEN, actor: Colts, 37-33. The Colts will play mistake-free football - the Bears will not.

WAYNE NEWTON, singer: Bears, 21-7. How can you go against the Monsters of the Midway defense? I've given some of my best performances in Chicago. It's always been my kind of town!

DICK VAN PATTEN, actor/entrepreneur: Colts, 31-21. A better quarterback will make all the difference. The Colts have a natural balance of offense and defense. Hmm, "natural balance." That's a good name for a company.

LARRY KING, talk-show host: Colts, 21-7. I think the AFC was vastly superior to the NFC this season.

CONNIE STEVENS, actress/entrepreneur: Bears, 32-23. The Bears are a defensive team that's stronger and determined to make history.

JACK VALENTI, former head of the Motion Picture Association of America: Colts, 28-27. I bet the game will get great ratings.

JANE WOOSTER SCOTT, painter: Bears, 38-36. I've always loved Chicago, and Rex Grossman is one of the best quarterbacks in the game.

CYD CHARISSE, actress: Bears, 28-21. Chicago is my kind of town!

TONY MARTIN, singer/actor: Colts, 35-10. Peyton Manning is a superstar. If he were an actor, he'd walk off with the Oscar.

ROBERT LOGGIA, actor: Colts, 35-29. Quarterback charisma!

BUZZ ALDRIN, astronaut: Colts, 28-17. The Colts have more horsepower. Besides, I'd rather have lucky horseshoes on the mantel than a bear's claw.

SEN. RICHARD LUGAR, R-Ind.: Colts! Offense. Defense. Special teams. Coaching. Management. Community support.

JEREMY WARINER, 2004 Olympic champion, 400 meter dash: Bears, 27-10, because of the way their defense has been playing in the playoffs. They are playing like they did the first half of the season. As long as Rex Grossman doesn't turn the ball over, they will beat the (Colts).

JOHN WOODEN, legendary basketball coach: I'll go with the Colts. Indianapolis has the more-experienced quarterback, and I think their defense is improved tremendously. It's not going to be a runaway.

DUANE CHAPMAN, aka Dog the Bounty Hunter: Bears, 35-28. With a renewed hope and the spirit of the '80s championship team, they will again be the Super Bowl champions.

CARROT TOP, comedian: Colts, 31-17. Although the Bears' running game is strong, it's Peyton's time!

SHEILA KELLEY, actress/entrepreneur: Colts, 28- 21. Colts are great for horseback riding if they've been well-broken, and I'm definitely into the equestrian sports. Bears are unpredictable and quite frightening if encountered in a dark wooded area alone. And I've never heard of bearback ride, although I have done a little bareback riding!

DICK VITALE, basketball announcer: Colts, 28-21. The Bears will succumb to the power of Peyton Manning.

ED ASNER, actor: Bears, 27-24. I'm a Chicago aficionado. That's where I began acting, so I have to root for them.

ELISABETH SHUE, actress: Colts, 35-21. I love the Colts!

KATE WALSH, actress, Grey's Anatomy: Colts, 28-21. I am not going to lie to you. I am rooting for the Colts. I am really excited about Peyton Manning going to the Bowl. I can't wait to watch it.

JAMES DENTON, Mike Delfino on Desperate Housewives: Colts, 26-16. I think the Colts have too many weapons. I don't think the Bears can stop them with two starters out on defense. I think it is all about special teams. If the Colts can stop Devin Hester, they should win.

GREGORY ITZIN, actor, 24: Bears, 21-14. They have been our rivals for years. I am from Wisconsin. I am a Packer fan, so I am just shoving my allegiance just a little bit below the border there.

NICK CANNON, actor: Bears, 14-0. They play hard. They got some mean dudes on their team. They are used to playing in the cold and stuff. They are ready.

MARK WAHLBERG, actor: I don't care. The Patriots aren't in it. That is my team.

ROBERT ILER, Anthony Soprano Jr. on The Sopranos: Bears, 28-24. I got to go with the underdog.

MICHAEL MADSEN, actor: The Bears. I mean, I am from Chicago, so what can I say? I can't, like, betray my hometown. I can't say (the score), because I got too much money down in Vegas.

ROBERT PATRICK, actor, The Unit: I am taking the Colts. I think Peyton Manning is going to step up and show everyone he is a champion.

BARRY WILLIAMS, Greg Brady on The Brady Bunch: Colts, 27-17. Fewer incarcerated players, and colts can run faster than bears.

FLORENCE HENDERSON, Mrs. Brady, The Brady Bunch: Colts, but I'm scared of the Bears.

DAWN WELLS, Mary Ann, Gilligan's Island Colts, 24-14.

TED GIANNOULAS, aka The San Diego Chicken: Since my wife is from Indy and I value not sleeping on the couch, I'll pick the Colts, 35-23. Besides, their offense has Velcro hands and the defense has discovered their fast feet in Tony D time. And if Peyton can't go, Jim Sorgi will step up impressively.

KENDRA WILKINSON, model: Colts, 27-13. I think it's their year. They stepped it up in the playoffs. I think Peyton Manning has it in his heart. I don't want to see him turn out to be another Dan Marino.

MARISOL NICHOLS, actress, 24: Bears, 24-20. I think they will win because they're from Chicago and because they haven't had a trip to the Super Bowl since the '80s. They're due.

JAY CHANDRASEKHAR, actor: Bears, 27-17. Come on, it's the Bears! We're gonna kill 'em!

IAN McSHANE, actor, Deadwood: Bears, because I like Chicago; 38-35 will be the score, but not necessarily of this game.

MIKE LEAVITT, Secretary of Health and Human Services: Colts, 24- 17.

MICHAEL PHELPS, winner of six Olympic gold medals in swimming: Colts, 28-17.

ROB VAN WINKLE, aka Vanilla Ice: Colts, 35-24. I would have a better chance just flipping a coin on this game, but if I had to choose, I would say the Colts will beat the stats and the Bears.

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