Based on the way the regular season went, the Saints and Colts both deserved to be squaring off in Super Bowl 44. Those that thought the Colts would prevail were running about 2 to 1 before the game. If I would have placed a wager, which I didn’t, I would have bet on the Colts. That’s why I don’t gamble, because it was the underdog Saints that won yesterday’s Super Bowl 31-17.
The Colts jumped out to a 10-0 lead and then allowed the Saints to pull back in it. It was 10-6 Indy at halftime and the Saints surprised everybody by pulling off an onside kick to start the third quarter. Former Badger star Jonathan Casillas recovered the onside kick for the Saints, who went on to score a touchdown.
At that point, it appeared to be one of those meant-to-be type scenarios. The Saints 25th ranked defense held up and Tracy Porter returned a Peyton Manning interception 74 yards for a touchdown and the upset was in the making. That came with just over 3-minutes to play and the celebration was on back home in New Orleans.
For much of the teams 43-year history, the Saints had been a laughing stock of the NFL. That all ended last night, for the Saints and their fans.
The people of New Orleans had endured so much, and are still trying to get back to normal after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the city. If there’s ever a time that a city can benefit from one of it’s teams winning a championship, it’s definitely New Orleans.
Even Peyton Manning, the class act that he is, couldn’t help but feel good for Saints fans. After all, Manning grew up in New Orleans while his father quarterbacked the Saints. Peyton Manning stood and answered every question after the game, as disappointed as he was. But that’s just the way he is. Manning knew the City of New Orleans needed this title bad and deep down, felt good for them.
This game really didn’t have any bad guys. Drew Brees and Peyton Manning, either one could have won it and nobody would have been real upset. It’s a feel good story that ended just the right way for the Saints and their fans.