SportsFullCircle

The New Orleans Saints, formerly known otherwise as the “Ain’ts” for their lack of success, have just defeated the favored Indianapolis Colts to win the first Superbowl in the history of their franchise.

- The Saints, after trailing 10-0 at the end of the first quarter, outscored the Colts 31-7 over the next three quarters to win the game 31-17. Coming back from the 10-0 deficit matched the biggest comeback in Superbowl history.

- New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees had a great game, completing 32-of-39 passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns, with no interceptions. The 32 completions tied a Superbowl record now shared with Tom Brady, who set the record in Superbowl 38 against the Carolina Panthers. Brees would be named the MVP of Superbowl 44. Marques Coltson and Devery Henderson led the receiving with 7 receptions apiece for 83 and 63 yards respectively. Though the running game was nearly non-existant for the Saints, Pierre Thomas was the Saints’ leading rusher of the night, with 9 carries for 30 yards. He also had 6 catches for 55 yards, and was one of two Saints, along with Jeremy Shockey, with a receiving touchdown.

- Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning had a similar game to Brees’ statistically, with 31-of-45 completions, 333 yards, and a 1-1 touchdown-interception ratio. Joseph Addai had 13 carries for 77 yards and a touchdown, and also made seven catches out of the backfield for 58 yards. Dallas Clark was Manning’s biggest target, with 7 receptions of his own for 86 yards, but it was Pierre Garcon with Indy’s lone receiving touchdown of the night, a 19-yard pass from Peyton Manning that capped off what tied the longest drive in Superbowl history.

- While the New Orleans offense was slow to begin, moving the chains only once in their first two possessions which both ended in punts, the gears in the Saints offense would shortly thereafter start to move without ever stopping. The Saints would only be stopped on three drives over the course of the game, and the third stop would come just a yard shy of the goal line.

- Saints kicker Garrett Hartley had three field goals, all from over 40 yards, and in making them became the first kicker in Superbowl history with three 40+ yard field goal kicks. Two of them were in the first half of the game, with the six points being New Orleans’ only points of the first half.

- At the opening kickoff of the second half, the Saints, who were kicking off to Indianapolis, decided to go for an onside kick. This was the only onside kick attempt prior to the fourth quarter in Superbowl history, and therefore possibly the gutsiest play in Superbowl history, and was successful.

- The game was close at the end of the third quarter, with the Saints trailing 17-13 after a four yard Joseph Addai touchdown run (which would be the last time Indianapolis scored all season) and only able to make it 17-16 before the quarter ended. In the fourth quarter, the Saints conducted a game-winning drive that ended in a two yard touchdown pass by Brees and then a two point conversion that had to be challenged by New Orleans and reviewed.

- With more than enough time left for a comeback and down by seven, the Colts began their next drive and were driving the ball well, but Peyton Manning threw a short pass that was slightly misplaced, yet was possibly the most costly mistake of his career. It was intercepted by Tracy Porter, who took it 74 yards for a touchdown, and gave the Saints their largest and final lead of the night. This was the only turnover of the game.