Superbowl Recap

Well, they did it, despite me thinking the Colts would win (told you I'd be wrong).  The boys from the bayou answered their call and brought back to New Orleans the one thing they desperately wanted - a Super Bowl trophy.  More importantly, it gives the downtrodden city something to celebrate about - something to take their minds off the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.  Just a few years ago, the home of the Saints was used not as a football field, but for refugees seeking shelter from one of the worst storms in American history.  A city once submerged by levee water now rules the roost in the NFL and the citizens of New Orleans could not be any happier.  Anyway, enough of the feel-good stuff.  Let's break down why they won:

Colts blinked first.
In a clash of titanic quarterbacks, Manning screwed up first.  The game featured two high-powered offenses accustomed to bending other team's defenses at their wills.  Expectations of a seesaw battle to the end quickly vanished, however, as Manning threw a costly interception on third down deep within Saints territory while trailing by 7 that was returned for a touchdown.  The touchdown put the Saints up by 14, giving them all the cushion they would need, and effectively sealed the game.  It was the first turnover of the game, and it hurt the Colts badly.

The onside kick.
Nobody calls on onside kick to when you're only trailing by 4 points at the beginning of the second half.  Nobody except the Saints that is.  In a game normally dominated by conservative play, Payton took the biggest gamble of his life and it paid off.  The on-side kick gave the Saints a chance to take the lead for the first time in the game (which they did with their first touchdown) and completely turned the momentum in their favor.

Another crucial decision to be noted was Payton's decision to go for it on fourth and goal just before the second half.  The Saints were stuffed, but even so, the Saints benefited from the decision. The Colts got the ball back pinned deep within their own territory and ended up punting away after failing to convert a first down with three running plays, leading to an easy Saints field goal before halftime.  You may argue that the Saints could have just kicked the field goal in the first place, but it's important to note that they took the ball out of Peyton's hands.  Had they kicked the field goal instead of going for it, Peyton Manning would have gotten the ball back with reasonable field position and 2 minutes to play.  And we all know what Manning can do with that.

Garrett Hartley
Not only did Hartley break a Superbowl record by hitting all three attempts from 40+ yards, but he also kept the Saints in the game early on, when the game seemed to be dominated by Indianapolis.  A rookie kicker that had already cost the Saints a game in regulation, Hartley proved clutch for the second straight playoff game, besting his elder counterpart Matt Stover in what was mostly a close game.  The 9 points were especially important in the Colts' second to last drive, as it gave them a formidable lead that put a great deal of pressure on Manning that likely led to the game-ending interception.


Well, that's that.  It was a close game overall, but the Saints found a way to squeak it out.  Who knows?  Maybe if they played again, the Colts would win, but none of that matters now.  The scoreboard will always read 31-17 Saints for Superbowl XLIV and that's that.


So, what have we learned?

• Who dat that think they gonna beat dem Saints?  Nobody, now.
• Never count out a team of destiny.  Ever.
• Football is a game of skill, determination, and preparation... but sometimes, it just takes balls to win it.
• A defense CAN win a championship off turnovers.
• Drew Brees has cemented his position as an elite and future Hall of Fame quarterback.
• Manning isn't perfect, but then again, nobody is.  He'll be back again next year.