So much for the best quarterback in the history of the NFL. As a Pats fan and occasionally rabid bettor, the outcome was second in utopian bliss only to my divorce.
Five keys to the game:
Garrett Hartley
Sean Payton
Tracy Porter
Jim Caldwell
Drew Brees
First Hartley. Forty-six, forty-seven, forty-four yard FGs from a guy whose longest lick was thirty-eight this year. Kept them in the game, when it could have gotten away from the Saints. This being the SB and all, and considering he's a second year man, that's nothing short of superb.
Payton. Went balls to the wall and came up big time. Who the fuck tries an onside kick at the beginning of the third quarter only down by 4 points? And his decision to go for the conversion was no less a gutsy move. Kudos to him and his staff for a well thought out game plan.
Porter. Nice, very nice pick 6! Read the play, stepped in front of Wayne, and jumped the route. Off to the races and effectively ended the game. Having been a CB, there's nothing more satisfying than knowing the ball is yours.
Caldwell. He'll be picked apart for the decision to try a fifty-one yarder by a Stover, who hadn't kick one all season. Not as questionable as Belichick's fourth and two decision deep in his own territory, but then, that wasn't a SB game either.
Drew Brees. MVP, and deservedly so. Thirty-two for thirty-nine, two TDs, zero INTs and a 114 passer rating. Even under pressure, the guy was on target. Not too suprising since he led the league in PR with a 106.9 regular season, and stepped it up a notch in the postseason with a 116. Heady numbers indeed.
Add Colston, Henderson, Shockey and to a limited degree Bush to the mix. Good defense from the secondary, linebackers and a decent pass rush from the line. Limiting the Colts to 17 points, given a season defensive ranking of 23rd, was outstanding, though their turnover ration was a +7, third best in the league.
All in all, one hell of a game. Congrats to the Saints. Next up, the draft.
