There may be an early start to Mardi Gras tonight after the New Orleans Saints defeated the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 to become Super Bowl Champions for the first time in their 43 year history.

Coming in as heavy underdogs, Drew Brees led the Saints back from a 10-0 deficit by passing for 288 yards and 2 touchdowns on 32 of 39 passing. Taking home Super Bowl MVP honors, his 32 completions tied a Super Bowl record also held by Tom Brady.

To open the second half, Coach Sean Payton called for a gutsy onside kick that the Saints recovered; a play that might have swung the momentum towards New Orleans after they scored on a Pierre Thomas 16 yard touchdown pass from Brees.

Late in the 4th quarter after the Saints scored on a Jeremy Shockey touchdown to take a 24-17 lead; the game seemed to be perfectly set up for a Colts rally that Peyton Manning knew all too well how to execute after leading Indianapolis to seven 4th quarter comeback wins during the regular season.

However, during the ensuing possession and driving deep into Saints territory, Peyton Manning fired a pass to Reggie Wayne when Tracy Porter cut in on his slant and intercepted the pass and sprinted 74 yards to the end zone essentially sealing a Saints victory.

To his credit though, Manning, who went 31 of 45 for 333 yards and 1 touchdown; drove the Colts back into the red zone quickly in a matter of a few plays. But his 4th and goal pass went through the hands of Reggie Wayne clinching the win for New Orleans.

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