The Saints Are Marching In...As The CHAMPS!!!

The New Orleans Saints completed their storybook season Sunday night by rallying from an early 10-point deficit to beat the favored Colts 31-17 in Super Bowl XLIV in Sun Life Stadium. The final chapter was basically a summary of their their entire season: the offense dominated down the stretch, and the defense came up with another return for a score.

Drew Brees, who was voted MVP after completing 32-of-39 passes for 288 yards and two scores, found tight end Jeremy Shockey with a 2-yard strike that gave New Orleans a 24-17 lead with 5½ minutes to play; and, two minutes later, cornerback Tracy Porter returned an interception of Peyton Manning 74 yards for a back-breaking touchdown. It was the Saints' ninth defensive score of the season.

It was quite a finish considering New Orleans (16-3) appeared headed for a long night after falling behind 10-0 in the first quarter. But the Saints scored the next 13 points to set up a back-and-forth finish that culminated with New Orleans overcoming a 17-16 fourth-quarter deficit.

Jeff @ NOW2K