Saints Win Super Bowl

Drew Brees holding up Lombardi Trophy

Drew Brees and the Saints get it done in Miami

Leading up to kickoff, it was easy to see that the New Orleans Saints were the sentimental favorite going into Super Bowl XLIV. However, as much as they might want the Saints to pull it out many of the talking heads known as the media had to admit that the Indianapolis Colts would be the likely winner thanks to another display of late game heroics by Peyton Manning. Boy, where they wrong. Instead it was Peyton Manning throwing another interception which Tracey Porter took to the house 74 yards to ice the game for the Saints and give the franchise their first Super Bowl victory. It was the ninth time the Saints defense had scored a touchdown this season. Manning has had issues with interceptions all season long. During the regular season he threw 16, many of them paving the way for the need for his legendary late game winning drives. The only problem was he did not have enough time on the clock to pull it off this time. This season was the highest interception total since and the fourth highest total of his 12 year career. The game started off just like the Colts wanted. Peyton Manning had no trouble taking the Colts up and down the field in the first quarter, yet they only came away with a touchdown and a field goal. Gregg Williams, defensive coordinator for the Saints, seemed to be over-matched against the powerful Colt offense. It definitely appeared that it would be a matter of time before the Colts would have the score run up. Indianapolis’s defense started off on the right foot as well holding Drew Brees and the Saints to a three and out on their first drive and only one first down in the first quarter. The tide began to turn in the second quarter though. Brees got the Saints offense moving with the same pin point passing that he displayed during the regular season. While they only came away with two field goals and were still down at the half they accomplished something else almost more valuable than scoring- they kept Manning off the field. The Colts failed to get a first down in the second quarter. Sean Payton made the call that turned the tide of the game squarely in favor of the Saints to start the second half. Knowing that the best thing they could do was keep the ball away from Manning, they started the second half with an onside kick, the first in Super Bowl history to be attempted outside of the fourth quarter. Hank Baskett was not looking for it and the ball ended up bouncing off the former Eagle and was recovered by Chris Reis of the Saints. That call led to an inspired run by Pierre Thomas of 16 yards right through the heart of the Colts defense for a touchdown and the first lead of the day for New Orleans. Manning and the Colts do not believe in going gently into the night however. The offense came out ready to get it done. After a series of plays by running back Joseph Addai and tight end Dallas Clark, the Colts regained the lead at the 6:15 mark of the third quarter with a four yard touchdown run by Joseph Addai. That would be the scoring for the Colts. Matt Stover would attempt a 51 yard field goal attempt later during the fourth quarter, but would miss to the left. Jeremy Shockey would close out the scoring for the Saints with just under six minutes left in the game with a two yard touchdown reception. Lance Moore’s two point conversion attempt would be called good after the game’s only review. It would have appeared as if the stage was set for another of Manning’s late game, heroic drives to tie the game and likely send it to overtime, the first time in the history of the game. All hopes for that drive were soon dashed when Tracey Porter intercepted a pass and trotted all the way into the end zone. Manning would drive the Colts down into scoring position, but the stingy Saints defense would not let them in. Drew Brees would be named the MVP for Super Bowl XLIV. The Saints did not try to run the ball much, instead relying on the accurate arm of their young quarterback to win the day. Brees was 32 for 39 gaining 288 yards on the day and two touchdowns. By Travis Pulver

Tags: Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints, Peyton Manning, Sean Payton, Super Bowl