The Red Zone Report

Tracy Porter returns an interception for a score to ice the game for the Saints (Picture by Chris O'Meara/AP).

Even though Mardi Gras is nine days away, the party in New Orleans starts now.

Drew Brees tied an NFL record with 32 completions to lead the New Orleans Saints to a 31-17 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, giving the franchise its first Super Bowl championship.

Brees’ record tying completions went along with 39 attempts, 288 yards, and two touchdowns. His performance earned him MVP honors for the game.

The Saints started out sluggish, going three-and-out on the first two possessions of the game. Despite failing to convert on fourth down near their goal line, Saints kicker Garrett Hartley nailed a 44-yard field goal at the end of the first half, giving the Colts a 10-6 edge.

The momentum seemed to change when Sean Payton dialed up an onside kick to start the second half. The Saints came up with the ball on their own 42 yard line, and Pierre Thomas broke through a barrage of tacklers to notch a 16-yard touchdown reception and gave the Saints a 13-10 lead.

Peyton Manning responded with a 76-yard drive and hit Dallas Clark for 45 yards down field.  Joseph Addai capped off the drive with a 4-yard touchdown run, giving the Colts a 17-13 lead.

Hartley nailed his third field goal of the night on a 47-yarder to keep the Saints by one in third quarter.

The game’s other kicker, Matt Stover of the Colts, missed a 51-yard field goal,  setting up the Saints at their own 31 yard line. The drive ended with a 2-yard slant pass to Jeremy Shockey to give the Saints the lead with 5:42 remaining.

The Saints went for the two-point conversion and initially Lance Moore’s reception was ruled incomplete. However, Payton challenged the play and it was overturned because Moore broke the plane before losing the ball.

Oddly enough, it was Manning who helped ice the Saints first Super Bowl victory. While attempting to drive the Colts down field for a tying score, Louisiana native Tracy Porter picked off Manning and returned the interception 74 yards for a touchdown.

Extra Notes:

• Hartley went 3-for-3 on field goals, all above 44 yards. That is a Super Bowl record
• The Colts loss dropped Peyton Manning’s career playoff record to 9-9.
• According to ESPN, 74,059 fans were on hand in Miami for the game.
• Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney played in the game despite an ankle injury. He sacked Brees on a third down play.