Super Bowl XLIV

By Stephen Sheehan

The streets of New Orleans will be loud tonight as fans celebrate their New Orleans Saints’ first Super Bowl victory in franchise history. The Saints battled in a close game against Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts for four quarters, ultimately emerging with a 31-17 win in Super Bowl XLIV.

Much of the talk prior to the game surrounded the health of the Colts’ Pro Bowl defensive end Dwight Freeney’s right ankle. Freeney suffered a third degree sprain in addition to a torn ligament against the Jets in the AFC Championship. In a somewhat surprising turn of events, Freeney suited up and played well in the first half, notching a sack.

With Freeney’s signature spin move disrupting the Saints’ offense, the Colts jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter with a Matt Stover kicked a 38-yard field goal and a 19-yard touchdown catch by Pierre Garcon.

In the second quarter, the Saints got on the board with a 46-yard field goal by Garrett Hartley. The Colts regained momentum however when linebackers Clint Session and Gary Brackett stuffed Pierre Thomas on fourth and goal. The Saints were able to add another field goal as half-time ended with the score 10-6.

Quarterback Drew Brees and the Saints offense came out firing in the second half as Brees hit Thomas on a 16-yard screen pass for a touchdown.

With 6:15 left in the third, Joseph Addai made a nice run up the middle for a 4-yard touchdown to put the Colts back on top 17-13. Addai was perhaps the Colts most consistent player on offense, finishing with 77 yards rushing and 58 yards receiving.

After another Hartley field goal, the Saints entered the fourth quarter down by one. Brees was able to find former University of Miami tight end Jeremy Shockey on a 2-yard slant route for a touchdown. Brees, the game’s MVP, tied Tom Brady’s Super Bowl record of 32 completions.

Some drama ensued when the Saints went for the two-point conversion as Lance Moore apparently lost control of the ball as he rolled over near the end zone. After review, the ruling of an incomplete pass was overturned and the Saints led 24-17.

Manning, winner of four league MVP's, attempted to lead the Colts down the field to tie the score; however, second year cornerback Tracy Porter made a great play on a pass for Reggie Wayne and ran back the interception 74 yards to put the game out of reach. The Saints defense, led by Pro Bowlers middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma and Darren Sharper played a physical game, preventing the Colts from coming up with big plays.

Although Manning was given another opportunity, linebacker Scott Shanle tipped a pass intended for Wayne on fourth down and goal to seal the victory. Coach Sean Payton received the annual Gatorade shower as players, coaches, and fans celebrated.

The Saints’ championship was the finishing touch to a magical season for a franchise and city that had to overcome the Hurricane Katrina tragedy in 2005.