The New Orleans Saints were recognized for their victory over the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV by that game being ranked the 17th-best title game in NFL history by USA Today. It remains the most memorable game in Saints history, thanks to huge plays ranging form Pierre Thomas’s crafty running on a screen pass touchdown, to Thomas Morstead’s “Ambush” onside kick, to Lance Moore’s just-in two-point conversion and Tracy Porter’s famous interception returned for a touchdown. The writeup from USA Today’s Nate Davis summed it up well:
The Saints ended decades of futility courtesy of MVP Drew Brees’ pinpoint passing, coach Sean Payton’s surprise onside kick to start the second half and CB Tracy Porter’s game-sealing pick six of Peyton Manning.
This win in Super Bowl XLIV brought the first NFL championship to New Orleans in franchise history, providing the high point in the greatest era of Saints football. It ended a decades-long championship drought for the city and ushered fans into a new time where competing for another title has been the expectation, not the long-shot hope.
It’s not something the NFC South-rival Atlanta Falcons can boast. That team still hasn’t won a Super Bowl, and their loss in Super Bowl LI ended up earning the top spot in the USA Today rankings. We’d be remiss to forget how that game saw the Falcons surrender a 28-3 lead late in the third quarter in the most epic collapse in the championship game’s history. You love to see it.
