Saints Win Super Bowl XLIV: The Factors That Keyed New Orleans' Upset Victory

People have been asking "Who Dat?" all season—well, I think that question has finally been answered.

The Saints took home the first Super Bowl title in their 43-year history by picking apart the Colts defense five yards at a time, then sticking the dagger in Indianapolis' side with the interception return for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

Even though most experts were wrong on their selection of the Colts to win this one, it still turned out to be an extremely close game despite the 31-17 final score.

If Matt Stover had made the 51-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter and Peyton Manning hadn't suddenly turned into a rookie quarterback, then you're looking at the Colts having a chance to get the winning touchdown on that final drive.

You can't take anything away from the Saints. They played like champions during the entire postseason and for most of the regular season. Drew Brees solidified himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the league, and now a whole region that has been through so much can begin its victory celebration.

On the flip side, maybe Manning isn't hands down the best quarterback in the league. He still only has one Super Bowl ring, which is less than the likes of Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger.

Manning still had a decent game, but it wasn't worthy of any kind of praise. There were numerous throws that Manning made where you just scratched your head wondering who he was throwing to. That's not the Peyton Manning we're used to, but he'll bounce back and return to form next season.

Finally, it's time to give some props to some individuals that aren't Drew Brees. New Orleans head coach Sean Payton deserves a ton of respect for bringing a great game plan against the Colts. He nickled and dimed them all night long and the Colts defense eventually wore down.

Oh yeah, and of course the infamous onside kick to steal any kind of momentum that the Colts may have gained by getting the ball first. You know Manning's blood pressure had to skyrocket after he realized he had to turn back around and sit his behind back on the bench.

Next, you have to give credit to 23-year-old Saints kicker Garrett Hartley. This guy wasn't even on the team the entire season and yet he came in and sank three critical field goals. If he would've missed just one of those field goals, the momentum could have been drastically altered.

You didn't think I would forget about Tracy Porter, did you? This guy made one of the biggest plays in Super Bowl history by stepping in front of Reggie Wayne for a pick-six that iced the game. That single play he made put all kinds of doubt in the minds of people who were ready to kiss Manning's feet just seconds earlier.

It's so hard to put the meaning of this game into perspective, but NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said it best:

"The hopes, the dreams, and the struggles of that community were all reflected in that football team," he said, according the Associated Press. "...It was a great night for the people in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region."