Saints Defeat Colts 31-17 in Super Bowl XLIV

Mardi Gras in Miami

Miami, Florida - The New Orleans Saints defeat the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 in Super Bowl XLIV at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Florida, Sunday, February 7, 2010.  After defeating the Colts in Miami, the victorious Saints will bring  the Vince Lombardi Trophy home to a grateful and partying New Orleans.  The world champion New Orleans Saints and their fans will begin this year’s Mardi Gras celebration one week early.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees was named MVP.  Brees passed  for 32-of-39 for 288 yards and two touchdowns.  But as Brees noted, the win was a complete team effort.

The Saints got off to a slow start falling behind 10-0 at the end of the first quarter.  The Indianapolis Colts dominated the quarter on both sides of the ball.   But Saints kicker Garrett Hartley kept the Saints in the game by putting 2-of-2 through the uprights in the second quarter, each from a distance of over 40 yards.

To begin the third quarter, Saints coach Sean Payton called for an on-side kick which was recovered by the Saint’s Chris Reis. This successful gamble was a decisive game changer.  On the next play, Drew Brees hit Thomas on a screen pass for a 16-yard touchdown and a 13-10 lead.  The Colt’s answer later in the quarter with a 4 yard run by Joseph Adai into the end zone putting the Colt’s ahead 17-13.  Then late in the third quarter, Hartley was called upon once again to kick a 47 yard field goal.  By rising to the occasion, Hartley became the first kicker to score three field goals in a Super Bowl from a distance over 40 yards and closed the gap against Indianapolis to end the quarter trailing 17-16.

The fourth quarter was all New Orleans.  After the Colts veteran kicker, Matt Stover, missed a 51 yard field goal attempt, the Saints quarterback Drew Brees completed five consecutive passes and placed the ball on the Colts five yard line.  Brees would then hit Jeremy Shockey for a 2 yard touchdown pass. The two point conversion reception by Jacob Lacey was awarded after Coach Payton’s challenge and the Saints regained the lead at 24-17.   Then with a little over three minutes left in the game, Saints defensive back Tracy Porter intercepted Peyton Manning’s short pass across the middle intended for Reggie Wayne and returned it 75 yards for a touchdown putting the Saints ahead 31-17.  And with that the New Orleans Saints assumed the mantle of NFL Champions.