Super Bowl XLIV: Manning and Addai Leading Charge 10-0 After First Quarter

The first quarter of Super Bowl XLIV is complete and Indiananpolis Colts running back Joseph Addai has found his groove early in the most important game of the season.

The Saints' offense and defense both look to be off a step or two from their normal explosive selves, and the Colts took advantage of that to get an early lead of 10-0 after the first quarter.

On the Colts' first drive quarterback Peyton Manning was able to lead the offense down the field, but could not get the ball into the endzone.

The Colts still managed to put three points on the scoreboard with a Matt Stover 38-yard field goal, after the defense shut down the Saints' offense.

Then after the Saints began to move the ball after a nice 16 yard catch and run by Reggie Bush, the offense stalled again.

After punting the ball, and pinning the Colts deep inside their own five year line, the Saints' defense had the advantage, but that was short lived.

Manning handed the ball off to running back Joseph Addai and he was able to find big holes in the Saints' defense and ran all over them.

Addai's running success, one run was the longest of this season at 26 yards, helped get the Colts into the redzone where Manning threw a perfect rainbow to receiver Pierre Garcon who was in stride in the back of the endzone for the games' first touchdown.

It looks like Manning's two weeks of preparation has helped him get the better of the Saints' defense to the tune of a lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Saints will need to get the ball in the hands of their playmaker Bush in order to loosen up the Colts stout defense so far.