ON THE SURFACE, COMPARING THE COLTS AND BEARS IS LIKE COMPARING APPLES AND ORANGES. BUT TAKE A CLOSER LOOK, AND ONE CAN FIND ... SUPER SIMILARITIES.

Byline: STEVE DILBECK Staff Writer

MIAMI -- Then they did this really, really crazy thing and actually played the game, the biggest game in the history of mankind -- or at least as former Dallas Cowboys running back Duane Thomas once noted, until they play it again next year.

Super Bowl XLI is particularly notable, as you just possibly may have heard, because the Indianapolis Colts and Chicago Bears are led by the first black coaches to take their teams to the Super Bowl.

The Colts are going to win their first Super Bowl since moving to Indianapolis or the Bears are going to win their first since the '85 Bears vanished into legendary ethers, but either way the NFL is going to have its first Super Bowl champion coached by an African-American.

That they happen to be close friends and similar in composed demeanor has given this Super Bowl an unusual aspect leading into today's 3:25 p.m. kickoff.

Both the Colts' Tony Dungy and Bears' Lovie Smith can seem almost the anti-Vince Lombardi, calm and measured, as they search to claim the trophy that bears his name.

But all these good feelings, regardless of the wonder, will finally be put aside today when all the conversation ends and they get around to actually playing the game.

``It's really no different than any other game,'' Dungy said. ``You know there's going to be one winner. We're looking forward to that being us, and you have to be able to accept it if it's not.

``If we don't win the game, I will be extremely disappointed, but I'll be happy for Lovie Smith. Probably happier for him than I would be for most anybody else that I play against.''

The players, of course, may be bringing a slightly different attitude to the game. These things often happen only once in a player's life, and they're not focused on whether Dungy and Smith will be bass fishing together in a couple of months.

Today's game manages to bring intriguing elements on its own merit.

Though both teams play a similar defensive scheme, their team leaders are markedly different.

Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning, that Tango-dancing fool, is the most visible player in the NFL. He is probably on more national commercials than the rest of NFL players combined.

He is media-friendly, comfortable in the spotlight and has no problem being the face of the Colts. He sets records and gets named annually to the Pro Bowl.

But what he's never done is lead his team to the title, let alone to the title game. More than any individual player, he will have the most at stake today.

Lose and an otherwise glorious career will remain with a void, his few critics still armed with doubt.

``I certainly would have hoped to been here earlier,'' Manning said. ``We've had some chances in earlier years. We had good football teams that had some chances in the playoffs, and it just didn't work out.

``You certainly want to take advantage of the opportunity if you can. It's one you don't want to take for granted.''

The Bears, meanwhile, are led by linebacker Brian Urlacher, who prefers a more solitary life and deals with media mostly because it's required.

``If I didn't have to talk to the media, I'd be good with it,'' Urlacher said. ``Nah, I'm just playing with you. It's all right.

``I understand what comes along with what I've done. I have to try and get more relaxed in that role, but it's never going to be easy for me.''

The two stars lead their teams' most significant units.

Led by Urlacher, the Bears play a tough, active, quick defense. The Colts have one of the league's most high-potent offenses.

One is going to come out on top, though it may well prove the less- decorated units that prove the difference.

And despite the Colts being a seven-point favorite, it is the Bears' offense that could well determine the outcome.

Indianapolis is going to score, but the Bears -- who led the NFC from start to finish -- have shown flashes of their own on offense in the playoffs.

Against the Saints in the NFC title game, beleaguered quarterback Rex Grossman was on target and running backs Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson proved a powerful pair.

New Orleans could not stay with the Bears in the second half, ultimately being run over by a 39-14 score.

Indianapolis arrived via a very different method. The Colts had lost their past two playoff games against NewEngland and quickly found themselves down, 21-3, in the AFC title game.

It looked like a familiar story, until Manning directed a remarkable comeback, leading the Colts to a thrilling 38-34 victory.

There are other issues -- is Manning's sore thumb OK, will this be the last game for Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera before he moves to the Cowboys? -- but the teams might be more similar than different.

They play similar defenses, use two-headed running backs, are led by stars and black head coaches.

Now, they finally play, and only one will be left a Super Bowl winner.

CAPTION(S):

6 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Quarterback Rex Grossman showed glimpses of brilliance in the NFC Championship Game.

Morry Gash/Associated Press

(2 -- color) Indianapolis running back Joseph Addai has helped take the pressure off Peyton Manning, rushing for more than 1,000 yards in his rookie season.

Getty Images/Associated Press

(3 -- 6 -- color) Photos from left, Brian Urlacher, Lovie Smith, Tony Dungy and Peyton Manning