By Max Sass, Assistant Sports Editor

Click here for pre-game prediction.

I was right. The final score was 31-17. It was just everything else I was wrong about. Peyton Manning was not the best player on the field. It was Drew Brees. Far and away. The Saint’s defense existed and came up with the biggest play of the game (Tracy Porter’s interception return for a touchdown).

Peyton Manning did throw for 333 yards, compared to Brees’ 281, but Brees had an out of this world completion percentage of 82 percent (32 for 39), while Manning’s was 69 percent (31 for 45). Brees also put up a goose egg where it mattered, in the turnover category.
Both team’s defenses were suspect coming into the game and remained so after, but while the Colts’ ‘D’ came up with a huge play (stuffing the Saints on 4th and goal at the 1 yard line) the Saints’ ‘D’ came up even bigger, with Porter’s pick 6.

The difference in the game was the coaching. While Jim Caldwell’s lack of emotion (and lack of anything for that matter – the man didn’t flinch or blink all game) may have helped the Colts remain even keeled, Sean Payton’s energy and gutsy decision-making helped the underdogs prevail. His decision to onside kick to start the second half took major guts and it worked out and was the start of the momentum shifting in favor of the black and gold.
Hofstra fans should also take note.

For the second straight year (following Steelers’ tackle Willie Colon) a Hofstra graduate has won the Super Bowl. Class of 2003, Marques Colston contributed to the Saints’ victory with 7 receptions for 83 yards.

So I was horribly wrong, Manning did not show why he is one of the greatest ever and the Colts ended up losing and it was not very pretty. But at least I got the score right.
 

(Photo Courtesy of espncdn.com)