Saints Win Super Bowl XLIV

The New Orleans Saints defeated the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 in Super Bowl XLIV, but the game was closer than final score would indicate. The Saints were leading by seven with 3:12 left in the fourth quarter. Peyton Manning was leading the Colts to a potential game tying drive when he threw an interception to defensive back Tracy Porter, who returned the ball 74 yards for the game-clinching touchdown.

The Saints were 4½-point underdogs going into the Super Bowl. Coach Sean Payton devised a game plan that was reminiscent of previous Super Bowl winners, but added a wrinkle that shifted the momentum to the Saints.

The Saints figured the best way to keep Peyton Manning and the Colts from scoring was to keep Manning off the field. In Super Bowl XXV, the Giants faced the potent Buffalo Bills offense, but neutralized the Bills by controlling the time of possession with a strong running game.

The Saints did not convincingly control the time of possession over the Colts, but did manage the clock in the second and third quarters. In the second quarter, the Saints had the ball for 13 minutes. They only scored six points on two field goals, but kept the Colt offense on the bench – after the Colts scored 10 points in the first quarter.

In the third quarter, the Saints had the ball for 7:33, and scored 10 points. The Colts scored a touchdown with the only offensive possession in the third quarter. The Colts scored on three of their first five possessions, but had the ball for only eight minutes during this crucial stretch.

The Saints started the third quarter with an onside kick, and kept possession of the football. The Colts were leading 10-6 at the time. Suppose the Colts had the first possession in the third quarter and scored a touchdown. The score would have been 17-6. Or suppose the Colts would have scored with a field goal. Any lead half way through the third quarter could have been a safe lead.

Instead, the Saints kept possession of the football, and scored to take a 13-10 lead. The onside kick shifted momentum to the Saints. Remember, the Colts had the ball for only 2:34 in the second quarter, and then had to wait 3:19 for the Saints to score. The Colts were able to score a touchdown with their only possession in the third quarter to take a 17-13 lead, but Peyton Manning must have been frustrated as he witnessed the Saints march up and down the field on the Colts defense.

The Colt defense held the Saints to six points in the second quarter, even stopping the Saints on fourth and goal, but the Saints offense was in complete control throughout the second quarter, and the rest of the game. The Colts did not have a pass rush. Saints quarterback Drew Brees had ample time to find open receivers.

Brees also borrowed from history, and copied the San Francisco 49ers’ game plan. In the early 1980’s, the 49ers did not have a running game. To compensate, Montana used to dump off passes to running backs, tight ends, and Dwight Clark. The 49ers methodically drove the length of the field. Defenses were forced to choose between rushing the passer, and leaving the secondary exposed, or sending three defensive linemen, and having six or seven defensive backs to cover the offense. The latter option allowed Montana to dissect defenses.

Brees completed 32 passes for 288 yards. He completed 29 of his last 32 attempts. He spread the ball around. Eight receivers caught at least one pass. Most of his passes were dumped underneath for six or seven yards, but Brees was able to complete passes for 10+ yards when he needed to. There were several offensive plays in which more than one receiver was wide open.

The Colts were not able to generate a pass rush. Defensive lineman Dwight Freeney was ineffective because he played with an injured right ankle. The Colts defense did not play aggressively, did not make any adjustments, and allowed the Saints offense to control the tempo of the game.

The Colts defense gave up 332 yards and 24 points, but more importantly their defense allowed the Saints to maintain possession of the football during the middle of the game. This really was a case of the Saints offense controlling the Colts offense.

I thought Manning would be able to score at will against the Saints defense. Offensively, the Colts outperformed the Saints, but the Saints offense kept the Colts offense off the field and off the scoreboard in the second quarter. This was the turning point of the game. The successful onside kick to start the third quarter shifted the momentum.

Coach Sean Payton deserves a lot of credit for taking chances, and crafting a successful game plan.