In the early goings of the game, it appeared that this night would not belong to the Saints as the Colts built an early 10-0 lead when Matt Stover hit a 38-yard field goal with 7:29 to play in the first quarter, followed by a touchdown drive where Peyton Manning found Pierre Garcon with 36 seconds left in the quarter.
New Orleans showed however that it was not prepared to concede the Super Bowl Victory to Indianapolis, as they scored two field goals when Garrett Hartley kicked a 46-yard field goal with 9:34 to play and a 44-yard field goal as time expired in the first half to cut the Colts lead to 10-6.
The Saints surprized everyone to begin the third quarter, as they gambled by kicking an onsides kick and recovering it to start the second half with the football. Brees then marched the Saints down the field and found Pierre Thomas for a 16-yard touchdown reception to give New Orleans its first lead (13-10) of the game.
Indianapolis would counter on the next play as Manning and company drove down the field, and set up Joseph Addai for a four yard rushing touchdown to give Indy a 17-13 advantage. New Orleans answered when Hartley kicked a 47-yard field goal to cut the Colts lead to 17-16.
In the fourth quarter, the Saints came up with a big defensive stop of Indianapolis as Matt Stover missed a field goal. On the following drive, Brees again led the Saints down the field in a drive that was capped off on a two yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Shockey and a two point conversion pass to Lance Moore to go up 24-17. New Orleans sealed the victory when Tracy Porter intercepted Peyton Manning and returned the ball 74 yards for a touchdown for the final 31-17 margin.
Brees was named the Super Bowl MVP, as he tied the Super Bowl record with 32 completions, throwing for 288 yards and two touchdowns. Manning was right behind Brees as he completed 31 passes in the losing effort, throwing for 333 yards, one touchdown and an interception. Rushing, New Orleans had five different players running with the ball, led by Thomas, who ran for 30 yards and Reggie Bush who had 25 yards. Joseph Addai was the Colts leading rusher with 13 attempts for 77 yards and one touchdown.
For the Saints, the Super Bowl was the first in franchise history.
