Super Bowl XLIV: Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints Turn Manning, Colts To Ashes

In a city like New Orleans, the faithful observe Mardi Gras, and Ash Wednesday. But while all costumes are off, and crosses of burnt palm and placed on their foreheads, Mardi Gras might as well go deep into the Easter Triduum.

On the grounds of Sun Life Stadium in Miami, the New Orleans Saints gave Peyton Manning the biggest mental crucifixion of his life. A stingy defense in the fourth quarter combined with a 74-yard interception for a touchdown to Terry "Lance of Longinus" Porter gave the Saints a 31-17 victory over the Indianapolis Colts before a sellout crowd of 74,059 Who fans, Who Dat fans, and "Who Dat Try to Beat The Saints" fans.

Things went smoothly for Jim Caldwell's Colts (14-2) in the early going. A 38-yard field goal by Matt Stover was followed up by a 19-yard pass from Manning to Pierre Garcon to make it 10-0 Indianapolis. The touchdown capped off an 11-play, 96-yard drive.

However, Saints kicker Garrett Hartley wasn't going to be denied a chance to cut things close. Hartley kicked field goals from 46 and 44 yards out to make the score 10-6 going into the half. Hartley would add a 47-yard field goal near the end of the third quarter to become the first NFL kicker to convert three field goals from more than 40 yards away in a Super Bowl.

The third quarter saw a gutsy call from Saints coach Sean Payton pay off. A successful onside kick to start the second half by New Orleans LB Jonathan Casillas began an 11-play, 60-yard drive capped off by a 16-yard pass from QB Drew Brees to WR Pierre Thomas.

Indy, however, took back the lead with a 4-yard run by Joseph Addai. It was the culmination of a 10-play, 76-yard drive to make it 17-13 Indianapolis. The Colts were in a for a shock, as New Orleans took over.

After Stover missed a 51-yard field goal wide left with 10:44 to go in the game, the tide began to turn against the Colts. Brees' short precision passing resulted in a two-yard strike to tight end Jeremy Shockey. Payton elected to go for two. A pass to Lance Moore was ruled incomplete by side judge Greg Meyer. Payton challenged the call, and after further review, the call was overturned to make it 24-17 New Orleans.

Deep in a hole and with 5:42 remaining in the game, Manning tried to find Reggie Wayne inside the Saints 25-yard line. However, Porter stepped into make a huge interception that all but sealed the deal for the Colts. A final last-ditch attempt by Manning to Wayne in the end zone was dropped.

As the final whistle sounded, a Gatorade-drenched Payton was lifted to the heavens as Manning walked to the locker room, an inconsolable man. Manning finished the night 31-for-45 with 333 yards, a touchdown and a pick.

Brees was 32-for-39 for 288 yards and two touchdowns. Addai led all rushers with 77 yards on 13 carries and a score. Marques Colston led the Saints receivers with 7 catches for 83 yards, while Indianapolis's Dallas CLark led all receivers with 7 catches for 86 yards.

Gary Brackett led the Colts defense with 12 tackles, while Jonathan Vilma's seven tackles led an inspired Saints defense in the second half.

It is amazing to see how the City of New Orleans deserved this championship. After the disasters that befell the Big Easy in 2005 with Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita, and the long process it took to rebuild itself, the Saints' very first Super Bowl title will go a long way to restoring the confidence of its citizens and its fans.

So party on in Bourbon Street, you Yats. Party on even after its Ash Wednesday or even into Good Friday. Your New Orleans Saints have turned the Indianapolis Colts, Manning and all, into ashes and will keep Mardi Gras going for quite a while. 

The Saints Are Coming to the Crescent City...with a Vince Lombardi Trophy and memories that even the worst of Mother Nature can never wash away.