The New Orleans Saints finally made it to the big dance. There has been so much hype around this franchise since America fell for the lovable underdog after the tragedy of hurricane Katrina. The excitement surrounding this team the past 5 years culminated in a Super Bowl Championship last night as the Saints defeated Peyton Manning and the Colts 31-17 in a thrilling game full of aggressive coaching and a quarterback battle for the ages.
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The First Quarter Belonged To The Colts
Manning went 9-14 for 90 yards passing and a touchdown. Joseph Addai chimed in with 55 yards on the ground, including a 26-yard run deep into Saints territory, which set up the 19-yard touchdown strike to Pierre Garcon near the end of the quarter, extending their lead to 10-0.
Then The Saints Came Marching In
The Saints figured out how to stop the Colts, forcing them to punt on both possessions they had in the 2nd quarter. Coach Sean Payton of the Saints seemed to squander three points near the end of the half when he elected to go for a touchdown on 4th and goal from the 1-yard line. Running back Mike Bell was stopped short on the play. But the Saints defense saved their coach from some scrutiny by forcing the Colts 3-and-out, giving Drew Brees and the offense enough time to tack on their second field goal before halftime. The lead was cut to 10-6.
The Saints Did What?
The Colts were set to receive the ball in the 2nd half when coach Payton decided to take another huge risk. Down only four points, the Saints caught the whole country off guard with an onside kick to open the 2nd half. Hank Baskett, who may better be known as the husband of TV reality star and playboy model Kendra Wilkinson, was the Colts player who initially missed the ball to give the Saints the opportunity to recover. Payton and the Saints' onside kick was successful and Manning, who had only been on the field for 2 minutes and 14 seconds in the 2nd quarter, had to sit back down and watch as the Saints took another 3 minutes and 10 seconds off the clock while stealing the lead with a 16-yard touchdown pass to Pierre Thomas.
The Colts Never Lost Their Composure
Not giving up on the run game, the Colts answered with a touchdown drive finished by Addai with a 4-yard run. Then the Saints retorted with another field goal, making the score 17-16 in favor of the Colts. If you wanted drama, this game was full of it.
The Colts seemed to be in control of the game, winding down the last two minutes of the 3rd quarter and continuing to drive for four minutes of the 4th quarter. It was all for naught though, when Matt Stover missed a 48-yard field goal giving the Saints the ball back still only trailing by one point. The Saints methodically drove down the field, scoring a touchdown on a 2-yard pass to Jeremy Shockey and completing the 2-point conversion to Lance Moore to go up by seven.
Manning Drops Back, Touchdown Saints?
With a little less than six minutes left in the game it seemed inevitable that Manning would muster up another 4th quarter comeback drive as he did seven other times earlier in the season. However, Saints Cornerback Tracy Porter had other plans. As the Colts were threatening from the Saints 31-yard line, Porter picked off Manning on 3rd and 5 and returned it for a touchdown. That pretty much sealed the game. Manning attempted one last drive, but couldn't get in the end zone, and the Saints held on to win 31-17 in a dramatic upset.
The Aftermath
Drew Brees was named Super Bowl MVP. He tied Tom Brady's record for completions in the Super Bowl at 32, throwing for 288 yards, and two touchdown passes. Manning was humbled and congratulatory as he walked off the field for the Saints to enjoy their moment.
This game was expected to be one of the greatest of all time. Both teams were 13-0 earlier this year, a first in NFL history; the two quarterbacks are widely touted as the best in the game, and the Saints had never been to a Super Bowl in franchise history. The game did not disappoint. The game had dramatic 4th down attempts, spectacular offensive plays, an interception return for a touchdown, and the first onside kick attempt outside the fourth quarter in Super Bowl history. It was truly a game that will be remembered for some time, but just think if it had been between two 16-0 teams....we can only dream.
