This game is simple to analyze because it was played so well with so few mistakes...so those few mistakes were like nuclear bombs that created huge fallout that ultimately decided the game! So here's my take.
First Quarter: The 1st was dominated by the Colts, they outscored the Saints 10-0. They looked sharp on both sides of the ball. There were several missed opportunities though that could have put this game out of reach early. But even with all the success, all the colts could muster was ten points.
Second Quarter: Although, stat-wise the Saints put up numbers here, I would have to say that the Colts maintained the edge thanks to their defense who only gave up two field goals. The problem here was the Colts rookie receiver Pierre Garcon who let a great pass bounce off his chest and onto the ground. He could've taken it for 45 yards or so which would've extended a drive that instead was stalled, giving the Saints the ball. There was one more "game changing" play that happened in the 2nd. It was definitely not a "big" play, but more the mindset of the play call. The Saints decision to go for it on fourth and goal from the 3 ultimately changed the game. Although it did not reward New Orleans with an immediate score, it did give them an attitude...and a swagger that never went away again. After getting stuffed and giving the ball back to the Colts at the 2 yard line the Saints D stepped up and forced a punt which gave them great field position for one more attempt to score before the half...which they capitalized on with another 40+ yard field goal from Garrett Hartley to make it a 10-6 game.
Third Quarter: What happened here to start the third was probably the gutsiest and most insane coaching decision in the Super Bowl possibly ever. Sean Peyton made the decision to kick a second half opening on-side kick. (he must've been planning this for a long time) If it had not worked he would've looked like an idiot and possibly given Peyton Manning the game, the momentum, and the title of greatest QB ever (almost). But the Saints were luckier than lucky, maybe there was some divine intervention that caused Hank Baskett to blunder so badly. The onside kick was great and went ten yards, but should've been recovered by the Colts, but Baskett let the ball bounce off his face mask and back into the arms of a Saint...then after a scrum that looked like the most ruthless and deadly fight for a football in the history of sports...as if whoever came out with the ball would win the game...the Saints came up with it. Props to Peyton for being aggressive. I don't think anyone in the world saw that coming. It was that aggression shown by the Saints that won the game for them; not being afraid to go for it on fourth down, and having the guts to kick the onside kick to open the half set a tone and gave the players the mental edge and belief that they were going to win the game! The Saints not only recovered the onside kick, but scored a TD on the possession. The Colts were able to score in the quarter as well making it a 17-16 game heading into the fourth.
Fourth Quarter: This is where heroes are made, and games are won. The mighty Colts were held scoreless in this all important quarter. The Saints defense played very well and only gave Peyton Manning the underneath passes, not really letting him find his stroke passing deep or over the middle. The Saints on the other hand ran the ball surprisingly well, and found the end zone for two more scores. And another gutsy move by Sean Peyton to go for the two-point conversion after their first score making it 24-17. No one thought Peyton Manning would go down the way he did. It was just not supposed to happen that way. I don't think anyone was betting against him driving his team down to tie it up with only a couple minutes on the clock and put the pressure on Brees. But thats not what happened. Instead, he threw a very random and unexpected interception that was returned for a touchdown by Tracy Porter. I can't believe that the pick was 100% Manning's fault. It seemed like Reggie Wayne was way out of position and should have been more aggressive undercutting the defender or at least putting his body on him and trying to get an interference call. But alas, it was not meant to be.
All in all, the Saints out-scored the Colts 31-7 in the final three quarters of the game. They were more aggressive than the Colts and it seemed like they had the mental edge; I think Sean Peyton did an outstanding job preparing his team and making sure that they had the right mindset to go out and take the game instead of waiting for the game to come to them. And it payed off. Jim Caldwell was thoroughly out coached and even with the luxury of having Peyton Manning on the field was unable to answer Sean Peyton's bold onslaught. In the end, it was the marauding Saints, led by the ever classy Drew Brees (who was the games MVP) that came out of this battle victorious! Congratulations Drew Brees, Sean Peyton, and all the New Orleans Saints.
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