FOOTBALL

Super Bowl Sunday — the day everyone has been waiting for.  The ultimate contest between the best two teams of the season:  Indianapolis v. New Orleans.  Honestly, this was the match most wanted to see at mid-season.  Both teams were undefeated up until Week 13, and you couldn’t help but imagine what a showdown might look like.  Last night… we got our chance.

On the line for Peyton Manning, the beginnings of the “best quarterback ever” conversations.  Peyton Manning had a tremendous year, was named MVP, and concretely established himself as the most prepared quarterback in the NFL.  It’s said he watches game film for hours after practice, treating each game like a sophisticated chess match, and making each play count.  For the Saints, they were carrying the spirit of the devastated city of New Orleans.  A win for the Saints meant an announced “comeback” ‘Nawlins citizens.

The game got off favoring the Colts.  They got a field goal mid-way through the first quarter, but the Saints couldn’t really answer, and their offense was stalling.  Then, with under a minute in the 1st quarter, Peyton Manning showed the world what he’s good at, as he threw a beautiful lob pass to Pierre Garcon for a touchdown.  10-0 Colts.  In the second quarter, it was the team defenses that stepped up, as both Drew Brees and Peyton Manning struggled.  The Colts even stopped New Orleans at the goal line twice.  The explosive Saints offense we saw all season was dormant.  All they got was 2 field goals from their new kicker Garrett Hartley.  And heading into halftime, it was 10-6 Colts.  Were we in for a lackluster game?

The answer:  No way.  The Saints came out of the gate in the second half with an extremely risky play:  an onside kick that NOBODY saw coming.  And they RECOVERED IT!!!  That was the first ever on-side kick before the 4th quarter in Super Bowl history.  It’s one of those plays that everybody talks about, but nobody does.  Well, the Saints did it.  And they used that drive to march down the field.  It was capped off with a touchdown — product of some amazing maneuvering from Saints running-back Pierre Thomas.  13-10 Saints.

But watch out, the Colts are where they are for a reason, and they stormed right back down the field.  Colts running-back Joseph Addai finished the drive with a 4-yard touchdown.  17-13 Colts.  The Saints put up another field goal, and headed into the 4th quarter, the Colts were up 17-16.  Could they hold on?

Well, Drew Brees did what he’s been doing all season, and led the Saints down the field with some beautiful passes. He finished things off hitting newly acquired tight-end Jeremy Shockey for the go-ahead touchdown.  With the 2-pt conversion, it was 24-17 Saints.  Manning’s turn.  And this is where he shines… when he needs a touchdown to win.  Were we headed for Super Bowl sudden death?

The answer:  No way.  With just over 3 minutes left in the game, Manning tried to hit his receiver for a routine pass, and it was picked off by New Orleans’ Tracy Porter.  He nabbed it, and returned it 74 yards for a touchdown.  And suddenly, the historically terrible New Orleans Saints found themselves up 31-17 with just 3 minutes left in the Super Bowl.  Amazing!  Peyton Manning had one last chance, and he did well, but he couldn’t get a touchdown.  And with that, the New Orleans Saints are your Super Bowl Champions!!!  Remember this is a team whose fans used to wear paper bags over their heads.  You can bet they will never wear those bags again.  New Orleans is BACK!!!  New Orleans 31, Indianapolis 17.