People have been asking "Who Dat?" all season, but I think that question has finally been answered.
The Saints took home their first Super Bowl title in their 43-year history by picking apart the Colts defense five yards at a time, and then sticking the dagger into the Colts' side with the interception return for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
Even though most experts were wrong on their selection of the Colts to win this one, it still turned out to be an extremely close game.
If Matt Stover had made the 51-yard field goal, and if Peyton Manning wouldn't have suddenly turned into a rookie quarterback, then you're looking at the Colts having a chance to get the game-winning touchdown on that final drive.
You can't take anything away from the Saints. They played like champions during the entire postseason and for most of the regular season.
Drew Brees solidified himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the league and now a whole region that has been through so much can begin their victory celebration.
On the flip side, maybe Peyton Manning isn't hands down the best quarterback in the league. He still only has one Super Bowl ring which is less than the likes of Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger. He's also an average 9-9 in the postseason for his career.
Manning still had a decent game, but it wasn't worthy of any kind of praise. There were numerous throws that Manning made where you just scratched your head wondering who he was throwing to. That's not the Peyton Manning we're used to, but he'll bounce back and return to form next season.
Finally, it's time to give some props to some individuals that aren't Drew Brees. Head coach Sean Payton deserves a ton of respect for bringing a great game plan against the Colts. He nickled and dimed them all night long and the Colts defense eventually wore down.
Oh yeah, and of course the infamous onside kick to steal any kind of momentum that the Colts may have gained by getting the ball first. You know Manning's blood pressure had to sky rocket after he realized he had to turn back around and sit his behind back on the bench.
Next you have to give credit to the 23-year-old Saints kicker Garrett Hartley. This guy wasn't even on the team the entire season and yet he came in and sank three critical field goals. If he would've missed just one of those field goals then the momentum could have drastically altered. I
Instead he became the first ever kicker to kick make three 40-plus yard field goals in a Super Bowl. In a year that was littered with bad kicking performances, this performance is one to remember for all the right reasons.
You didn't think I would forget about Tracy Porter did you? This guy made one of the biggest plays in Super Bowl history by stepping in front of Reggie Wayne for a pick-six that iced the game for the Saints. That one single play he made put all kind of doubt in the minds of people who were ready to kiss Manning's feet just seconds earlier.
It's so hard to put the meaning of this game into perspective but Commissioner Roger Goodell said it best: "The hopes, the dreams and the struggles of that community were all reflected in that football team. It was a great night for the people in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region."
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