If nothing else, last night's remarkable Super Bowl win for the Saints proved that all predictions are just speculation, and this blog's own preview was at best, only accurate in parts. Whilst the Saints were given a reasonable chance by most pundits, they were not the favourites, but it proved to be a topsy-turvy game in many respects, not just result-wise.
Drew Brees soaks up the atmosphere following his side's triumph
Having observed that the Colts had the edge when it came to kickers, their veteran, Matt Stover, provided the only miss of the night, whilst second year Saint Garrett Hartley proved that his game-winner a fortnight ago was no fluke, becoming the first kicker to succeed with three field goals from 40 or more yards in a Super Bowl. So much for youthful inexperience.
On offense, the Colts passed a great deal as usual, but they had success with the running game too, with Joseph Addai picking up 77 yards and a touchdown, as well as several critical runs. Yesterday this blog explored the importance of the run for Indianapolis, but no-one expected it to be the factor that it was in their offense.
Meanwhile, on the New Orleans side, the defense defied convention by blitzing Manning early in the game, then again late on, when pressure aided the fatal interception.
Porter runs in his interception to seal victory
One prediction that did come true is that a big play from the Saints' secondary could prove decisive, and so it was, with the hero of the NFC Championship game, Tracy Porter, providing the game's signature moment again.
Amongst all the failed predictions it is worth pointing out that Corinthian Spirit picked the Saints to make the Super Bowl back in September, but as runners up. Not bad. The rest of the predictions in that article are best glossed over however
Dwight Freeney's ankle, the subject of so much speculation before the game, turned out to be up to the action in the first half, with the defensive end producing the game's only sack. However, he faded as the game went on, and by the end he was unable to put pressure on Drew Brees. The New Orleans offensive line, so good all season, did its job again, justifying their crowning by John Madden as the league's best line.
Another prediction was that red zone failures would prove extra costly in this game. Whilst the Saints had their failure early in the game, they kept chipping away at the Colts, and it was Indianapolis' turn late in the fourth quarter, when they failed on fourth and goal. It was marvellously disciplined defense from the Saints that rendered their opponents unusually impotent at a key moment, although in the end it was a simple drop from Reggie Wayne that cost them the scoring chance.
Just like in the NFC Championship game, Reggie Bush was not a major factor, although he was a useful target in the short passing game. Instead it was Pierre Thomas entrusted with the key running downs. On special teams, where Bush had the chance to be a difference-maker, he was well covered by the Colts.
Match officials dig through a pile of bodies to determine which team has recovered the ball following the Saints' onside kick - the New Orleans side would come up with possession and go on to score their first touchdown
If there is one big lesson to learn from this Super Bowl, it is that you make your own luck. Sean Payton made the bold call to go for it on fourth down in the second quarter, but backed it up with some unusually conservative play calling and the gamble failed. His decision to try an onside kick at the start of the second half paid off spectacularly however, as the resulting possession allowed Brees to drive the Saints downfield and put them ahead. The fact that there was a large stroke of luck involved, as the ball rebounded off a Colts player before being recovered by the Saints, merely enhanced the impression that fortune favours the brave. After a second quarter which New Orleans had dominated, but in which they had only scored two field goals, Payton made a bold call, seized the initiative, and never looked back. Soon afterwards, his decisions to go for a two point conversion following Jeremy Shockey's touchdown, and then to risk losing a valuable time out in order to challenge the decision not to award it, both paid off, and forced the Colts to be aggressive in their next drive, which in turn helped the Saints' defense put pressure on Manning and seal the win.
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