Colts are the pick, but Bears have some support

Updated: February 2, 2007, 11:49 AM ET

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By David Nielsen
Scripps Howard News Service
Archive

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 annual Scripps Howard Celebrity Super Bowl Poll. Out of the 100 famous folks who made predictions, 71 believe that the Indianapolis Colts will win Super Bowl XLI, while only 27 picked the Chicago Bears. Two celebrities didn't pick a winner.

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

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

Since Scripps Howard started the Celebrity Super Bowl Poll in 1990, only two celebrities have ever 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. Dennis Farina got 'em both right in 2005.

Keep an eye on the final score. The celebrity who picks the winning team and comes closest to predicting the score will win the Scripps Howard Super Sage Award trophy.

Name	Pick
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.
DWYANE WADE NBA star, Chicago native	Bears, 28-24. Because we're the best!
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.
MARK WAHLBERG Actor	I don't care. The Patriots aren't in it. That is my team.
SERENA WILLIAMS 2007 Australian Open tennis champion	Colts, 17-13.
SEN. JOHN McCAIN R-Ariz.	Colts by 6.
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.
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.
BILL O'REILLY FOX talk show host	Colts, 31-10.
LARRY KING CNN talk show host	Colts, 21-7. I think the AFC was vastly superior to the NFC this season.
CHARLIE SHEEN Actor	Colts, 37-33. The Colts will play mistake free football -- the Bears will not.
JIMMIE JOHNSON 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup champion	Colts, 31-28. I've followed Peyton's career for quite awhile. 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 His winning shot for Milan High in 1954 inspired the movie "Hoosiers"	Colts, 34-24. I think Indianapolis has too much offense.
PHYLLIS DILLER Comedienne	The guy with the bad thumb, Peyton Manning, it's his time.
DR. JOYCE BROTHERS Psychologist	Colts, 31-17. Peyton Manning will win to inspire his younger brother (N.Y. Giants quarterback Eli).
GARY SINISE Actor, "CSI: NY"	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.
JERRY MATHERS Actor, "Leave it to Beaver"	Bears, 20-17. Peyton Manning has always been shaky in the playoffs. I think defense wins the game. The Bears because of their defense are going to win it.
HALEY JOEL OSMENT Actor who has picked the last seven Super Bowl winners	Colts, 31-24. I've been a big Peyton Manning fan for a while and I think it's finally his time.
MICKEY ROONEY Actor	Bears, 24-14. It's gonna be a fascinating game, as all Super Bowls are.
TONY SIRICO Paulie Gaultieri on "The Sopranos"	Colts, 21-14. Too much experience. Warm weather, too.
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.
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.
DUANE "DOG" CHAPMAN Bounty hunter	Bears, 35-28. With a renewed hope and the spirit of the '80's championship team, they will again be the Super Bowl champions.
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.
BOBBY THOMSON Former N.Y. Giants baseball player who in 1951 hit "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 Dodger who threw the famous pitch to Thomson	Colts, 41-24. They've got more offense. Chicago's defense is good, but so was New England's.
JENNIE FINCH Olympic softball star	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!
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.
MOLLY SIMS Actress, "Las Vegas"	Colts, 31-24. They are the stronger team over the past few years. Peyton Manning is due his Super Bowl ring.
KENDRA WILKINSON Hugh Hefner's girlfriend, "The Girls Next Door"	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.
MAMIE VAN DOREN Legendary sex symbol	The Bears because they are BAD!
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.
DICK VITALE ESPN basketball announcer	Colts, 28-21. The Bears will succumb to the power of Peyton Manning.
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.
PHIL JACKSON L.A. Lakers coach	Bears, 20-15. Defense wins. This Bears team is like Tampa Bay was in 2001 or 2. Can you remember their quarterback?
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.
LEROY NEIMAN Artist	Colts, 24-10. Peyton Manning will be at the top of his game.
DENNIS FARINA Actor and 2005 Super Sage Award winner	Bears, 23-17. In order to beat the Bears you have to beat the Bears' defense. 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.
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!
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.
WAYNE NEWTON Actor/singer:	Bears, 21-7. How you can 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.
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	Colts, 28-27. I bet the game will get great ratings.
TOBIN BELL Actor, "Saw"	Colts, 31-6. My hunch is this is Peyton's year and that the football gods will shine on the Colts on Sunday.
ROBERT LOGGIA Actor	Colts, 35-29. Quarterback charisma!
BUZZ ALDRIN Astronaut	Colts, 28-17. The Colts have more horse power. Besides, I'd rather have lucky horseshoes on the mantle than a bear's claw.
CHUCK YEAGER First man to break the sound barrier	Colts, 21-14. Peyton Manning is my favorite quarterback.
SEN. RICHARD LUGAR R-Ind.	Colts! Offense. Defense. Special teams. Coaching. Management. Community support.
RICHARD M. DALEY Chicago mayor	Bears. Everyone has underestimated them all year. Everyone says they're not good but they just keep winning.
MIKE LEAVITT Secretary of Health and Human Services	Colts, 24-17.
MIKE ERUZIONE Captain of 1980 U.S. Olympic gold-medal winning hockey team	Colts, 31-21. This is Peyton's year.
MICHAEL PHELPS Swimmer, winner of six Olympic gold medals	Colts, 28-17.
JERMAIN TAYLOR World Middleweight Boxing Champion	Colts, 30-24. Peyton will not be denied, but 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' kick-off coverage.
JEREMY WARINER 400-meters, 2004 Olympic champion	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 Indianapolis.
KERRI WALSH Olympic beach volleyball star	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.
IAN McSHANE Actor, "Deadwood"	Bears, because I like Chicago. 38-35 will be the score, but not necessarily of this game.
WILLIAM SANDERSON Actor, "Deadwood"	Colts, 31-17. The Colts will outscore and out-run the Bears who will be looking to hibernate by the second half.
LEAH REMINI Actress, "The King of Queens"	Colts, 34-23. Well, basically, that is what my husband said, so I am going with him.
JESSE L. MARTIN Actor, "Law and Order"	Colts, 31-24. They have more experience and they're playing in warm weather.
JAMES DENTON Actor, "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.
JIM CAVIEZEL Actor	Colts, 31-20, because of Peyton Manning.
JOHN AMOS Actor, "Men in Trees"	Bears, 24-17. Bears will win because of their solid defense this year.
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 80's. They're due.
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.
ROBERT ILER Anthony Soprano Jr. on "The Sopranos"	Bears, 28-24. I got to go with the underdog.
RUSSELL JOHNSON The Professor, "Gilligan's Island"	I don't think there's any doubt that Indianapolis should win. Colts by 10 points.
DAWN WELLS Mary Ann, "Gilligan's Island"	Colts, 24-14.
BARRY WILLIAMS Greg Brady, "The Brady Bunch"	Colts, 27-17. Fewer incarcerated players and Colts can run faster than Bears.
FLORENCE HENDERSON Mrs. Brady, "The Brady Bunch"	Colts, 24-14.
ADAM WEST Actor, "Batman"	Colts, 28-24. I feel like Aaron Moorehead's dad, Emery. He played for the Bears you know, and Aaron is a Colts receiver. I'm kinda torn. But I feel its gotta be Peyton Manning's turn. 28-24.
SAM HORNISH 2006 Indy 500 champ	Colts, 41-14.
MATT KENSETH NASCAR driver	Colts, 34-17. My feeling is that there is no way the Bears offense will keep pace with Colts offense. Unless the Bears D can force five turnovers and get a couple of defensive or special-team scores, they will be history.
JEFF BURTON NASCAR driver	Colts, 28-24. They've come close so many times. It's their time to win.
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!
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!
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 star	Colts, 28-14.
TOM SCHOLZ Rock star, Boston	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. I'm saying Bears by 11.
RODNEY ATKINS Country singer	Colts, 21-17. Peyton and the Tennessee connection.
CYD CHARISSE Actress	Bears, 28-21. Chicago is my kind of town!
AL OERTER Four-time Olympic gold medalist in discus	Colts, 35-21. Go with the team with the better quarterback, and that's Indianapolis.
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.
PAM SHRIVER Former tennis star	Bears, 28-17. My reason is simple. I am a Baltimore native and still hold a HUGE grudge that the Colts left and took the name.
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.
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.
CARROT TOP Comedian	Colts, 31-17. Although the Bears running game is strong, it's Peyton's time!
CLORIS LEACHMAN Actress	Who are the Colts with? And the Bears? I am from Chicago. I will watch. Who is supposed to win? Who do they think?
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 star	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.
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."