Super Bowl XLIV

Super bowl 44 ended with the New Orleans Saints bringing the city of New Orleans its first Lombardi trophy with a 31-17 victory over the Indianapolis Colts.

The game turned out to have a storyline much like the storyline of the home city of the winning team. The New Orleans Saints were forced to battle back from a ten-point deficit that they fell in during the first quarter.

 Colts receiver Pierre Garcon scored the games first touchdown to give the Colts a 10-0 lead

The offense of the Saints was lacking in the first half of the game.  They were held under 50 total yards in the first half. The foot of Saints kicker, Garrett Hartley kept the Saints in the game during the first half with two 40 plus yard field goals. The teams went into the half with the Colts leading by a score of 10-6.

The Saints opened the second half in daring fashion, electing to attempt an onside kick on the kickoff. The gamble paid off, as the Saints were able to recover the onside kick. On the ensuing drive the Saints were able to take its first lead on a screen pass to running back Pierre Thomas.

Manning then drove the saints back down the field to take a 17-13 lead with 6:15 left in the third quarter. That would be the last time the colts would find the end zone.  Another Hartley field goal would pull the saints within one point before the end of the third quarter.  The Saints would tack on two touchdowns to put the game away in the fourth quarter. The second touchdown came on an interception return by Saints cornerback, Tracy Porter.