Super Saints' Sunday Stunner

Who 'dat? The NFL season culminated in a fantastic finale. The conclusion wasn’t one the Colts would like to savor. Miami’s Sun Life Stadium played host to Superbowl XLIV where 16-3 Indianapolis was dramatically defeated by 16-3 New Orleans. The Saints sailed away with their first championship in franchise history after a 31-17 capping of the Colts. Indianapolis was stunned in the end, despite running and protecting the football well enough throughout the contest. New Orleans quarterback, Drew Brees, tied a Superbowl record with 32 completions. He was saintly in the final three quarters, missing only three attempts. The Colts had a chance to tie the score late in the fourth quarter. Peyton Manning , the league MVP and magnificent Colts signal caller, mistakenly threw in game-altering interception on third down. Saints second year cornerback, Tracy Porter, returned the ball 74 yards the other way to shock the shaken Colts.
Indianapolis kicked off the ball the begin their quest for another Superbowl behind Manning. The Colts put up the game’s first ten points, and only tallies of the first quarter. Matt Stover legged a 38 yard field goal to complete a 53 yard, 11 play Indianapolis drive seven and a half minutes into the first quarter. The blue and white lead was increased to 10-0 following Manning’s 19 yard haul into the end zone to wideout, Pierre Garcon. Garcon was being defended by a safety in the corner slot and Manning took advantage of the matchup. The 96 yard drive was the longest in Superbowl history. Indianapolis’ injured defensive standout, Dwight Freeney, started and played most of the contest. Freeney was a disruptive force in the first half. The Pro Bowl defensive end pressured and pulled down Brees with a one-handed grab midway through the second quarter. The result was a Garrett Hartley 46 yard field goal. The Saints settled for three again before time expired in the half. Hartley knocked home his second field goal, a 44-yard straightaway boot that trimmed the New Orleans deficit to four points. Although the Colts led at the break, they held the ball for less than three minutes and went three-and-out on both possessions of the second quarter. The tide was starting to turn the New Orleans’ way.
The Who plodded together a nostalgic, but arguably awful-sounding halftime show before the most surprising and dramatic play of the Superbowl. Saints’ head coach, Sean Payton, called for an onside kick to begin the second half. New Orleans recovered the gamble when wide receiver, Hank Baskett, let the ball squirt through his hands. The risk paid off immediately for Payton and the Saints. Running back, Pierre Thomas, finished with double digit touches, and caught the first loft from Brees during the second half’s opening drive. Brees proceeded downfield, frustrating the Colts’ defense. The Saints’ cool quarterback found an open Devery Henderson for nine and five yard receptions, and hit Marques Colston on first down for a nine yard gain. Thomas scrambled up the middle for seven, and another Saints first down at the Indy 16 yard line. The stark back gave New Orleans their first lead of the game by pulling down a 16 yard touchdown pass from Brees.
Joseph Addai ignited the running game for the Colts. Indy’s ground game would eclipse that of the Saints’ 51. Addai finished with 13 carries for 77 yards and one touchdown. The seven pointer came on a divine four yard twisting rush with 6:15 remaining in the third quarter. The 10 play, 76 yard drive placed the Colts back on top by three points, but would be the last points for Indy of the night. Lance Moore made a dazzling two-point conversion catch with just under six minutes left in the game to follow up a Jeremy Shockey touchdown grab. The former Giants tight end heaved in a two yard pass from Brees and the two-point conversation provided the Saints a seven point advantage. Colston led all Saints with 83 receiving yards. He shook off a rough first quarter to come up with big gains. Reggie Bush, the former USC tailback, was also a key factor in the win for New Orleans. Neither Bush nor Colston scored, but they kept the chains moving down the stretch. Indy’s defense failed to tackle and make plays throughout the second half. Brees’ arm was on fire and most deservedly the game’s MVP. The man behind center for the Saints completed 32 of 39 passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns. Manning went 31 of 45 for 33 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Manning was poised to set up a tying touchdown with under five minutes in the game. He completed to Garcon for 17 yards and twice found Reggie Wayne to give the Colts a chance at the New Orleans’ 36 yard line. Coverage ace and unsung hero, Porter, snagged the pick that eventually sent the Saints to their 31-17 victory. Manning again led the charge as the Colts tried to manufacture a late touchdown. Wayne dropped a fourth down pass at the goal line to seal the loss for Indianapolis. Wayne had five catches for 46 yards, and Dallas Clark finished in with a team high 86 yards on 7 receptions. The finely-tuned aerial passing attack just didn’t work for Manning last night. The Saints were the better team, coming up big in big situations. Brees’ quick release and route reads were nearly impeccable Sunday night. Both quarterbacks were the central part of the outcome. The impenitent Indy team that won 14 straight games under Jim Caldwell was stopped by a more determined and efficient football club from New Orleans.

Parting Points: Song of the day- “When the Saints go Marching in”