By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – After a stellar regular season that included record-breaking performances, the early departure of the New Orleans Saints from postseason play might have put a slight damper on the team’s 2011 season, but football fans in the River Parishes still seem to be interested in watching the NFL’s best compete for a championship even if it isn’t the “Black and Gold.” More than 60 percent of readers who participated in L’Observateur’s online poll said they are planning to watch Super Bowl XLVI this Sunday between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots. A large percentage of those who said they were watching said they anticipated a victory by the Giants. Very few voters were in favor of a Patriots victory. Others said they were only interested in watching for the dazzling commercials that accompany the game.

A complete breakdown of the votes is as follows:

• 41 percent of respondents chose “Yes, to see the Giants win.”

• 5 percent of respondents chose “Yes, to see the Patriots win.”

• 17 percent of respondents chose “Yes, to see the commercials.”

• 37 percent of respondents chose “No, not interested.”