Heading into Super Bowl XLIV in Miami on February 7, 2010, the Saints had never won an NFL championship in their 43-year history. But for the city of New Orleans, which had endured Hurricane Katrina just four years earlier, the stakes felt even higher. The result, a 31-17 Saints’ victory over the Colts, was decided with 3:12 left on a thrilling 74-yard interception return for a touchdown by New Orleans’ Tracy Porter. The Saints had overcome a 10-0 first quarter deficit and down 10-6 coming out of halftime, successfully executed an momentum-swinging onside kick, which would lead to a touchdown. The game was notable for its quarterback duel: the Colts were led by regular season MVP Peyton Manning, who threw for 333 yards and a touchdown. But the Saints’ Drew Brees bested him, completing 32 passes to tie a Super Bowl record, with 288 yards and two TDs. “We played for so much more than ourselves,” Brees said after the game. “We played for our city.” ― NFL 100
Box Score: Football Reference
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