I’m going to Disney World or Mardi Gras… The Super Bowl XLIV Recap
New Orleans Saints vs. Indianapolis Colts
The stage was set in Miami, all the hard regular season work came down to this, all the playoff games lead up to this moment so who was ready? For both teams you know it had to be difficult to wait around for two weeks for this game, with the media circus and all the family requests that comes with the big game, you know the players were just ready to take the field. We the fans of course were ready for the big game, this was the first time in a while where both #1 seeds from the NFC and AFC made it to the Super Bowl, so you knew it was going to be a great game. Not to mention the quarterback match-up, Drew Brees has been as popular as Mardi Gras in New Orleans and Peyton Manning has been the best quarterback, no player in the league for a while and it shows with the MVP’s he owns. So with everyone ready there was only one thing to do, play the game.
The Colts came out just like they have been there before, they started out the game putting the first 10 points on the board, but the gitters for New Orleans would soon begin to fade. The quality of your kicker in the big game is very important, Garrett Hartley’s contribution was key for the Saints on this night; his 3 field goals of 40+ yards gave his team an edge. We all knew that if the Saints would beat the Colts they must get touchdowns and not settle for field goals but in the first half that was all they could muster. The game changing play was on the kick off for the second half, Indianapolis was to get the ball but New Orleans came out with an onside kick and recovery and they drove the ball down the field for a Pierre Thomas touchdown pass from Brees. That was when the momentum shifted, there were a couple of times when the Colts had open field but dropped passes from Manning and when you are playing against an explosive New Orleans team you must convert on every opportunity. The game was a battle back and forth when Joseph Addai had a rushing touchdown and put the Colts ahead, but that would be all for them on this night. At one point in the second half, Brees completed 10 straight passes, the fact was that he was able to find the holes in that Colts defense and the offensive line gave him the time. Another key to the game was when the Saints went ahead by 7 points and the Colts were driving late in the fourth quarter and Manning was looking to hit Reggie Wayne, Tracy Porter stepped in front and intercepted the ball and took it 74 yards for a Saints touchdown putting them up 14 points and that would be the game. New Orleans Saints 31, Indianapolis Colts 14. The New Orleans Saints first championship ever, with the city, their fans, and their team celebrating all night long.
> Find a great selection of New Orleans Saints apparel and Indianapolis Colts merchandise online through Pro Football Fans!
When teams win the Super Bowl of course we see the commercials, ‘you just won the Super Bowl what are you going to do now…I’m going to Disney World’ for the Saints there will be a big enough party in New Orleans that they won’t go to Disney, they will be just fine at Mardi Gras and so will all those fans. This was most definitely a feel good story, after what happened 4 years ago with Hurricane Katrina you wondered if they could ever rebound, they did and now they are champions, congratulations New Orleans.
For me I believe that the Colts and Saints quite possibly could meet again in the big game, the two coaches are incredible motivators and football savvy, the two quarterbacks could be the two best in the game so I foresee them returning to this stage once again. The Indianapolis Colts will rebound, they will get set their eyes on that championship once again and as long as they have #18 at quarterback they will get there again. I am proud to call myself not only a fan of football but a fan of the Indianapolis Colts, I like the way they play the game and how they consistently play to win year after year. As I woke up this morning there were questions about how would the interception hurt Manning’s legacy or did the game’s outcome hurt his legacy, the fact is Peyton Manning is quite possibly the best quarterback ever, he has a championship and he has the stats his legacy is there all he is doing now is adding on to it and helping to cultivate young players. The reason I like Manning so much is how even keel he is in victory or in defeat, he gives credit to the other team and makes no bones about his mistakes or his teams’ struggles. In a day and age where it is easy to place the blame on other players, coaches or distractions he takes responsibility because that is what captains’ do, they take the heat. With Collie, Garcon, Clark, and Wayne the Indianapolis Colts will be there again but the next time hopefully the outcome will be different.
Congratulations again New Orleans Saints you played a great game.
By: Sam Adams
Pro Football Fans Staff Writer