Super Bowl: Colts vs. Saints, Manning vs. Brees is historic

The NFC championship Sunday and the Super Bowl berth that goes with it was a long time coming for Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints.

The NFC title win over Minnesota Sunday and the Super Bowl berth that goes with it was a long time coming for Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints. (AP photo).

This is what you wanted. Indianapolis started the season 14-0, and the Colts still might be undefeated if they didn’t place themselves in a protective bubble in the final two weeks. New Orleans started the season 13-0 and led the NFL this season in offense, points and humiliated defensive coordinators.

This is the way it’s supposed to go. The two best teams, led by the two best quarterbacks, driving two of the best offenses into the Super Bowl.

Only the coaches with a defensive pedigree will have a headache.

“It’s going to be a long week for the two defensive coordinators,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said Sunday night after watching the New Orleans Saints earn their first trip to a Super Bowl with a 31-28 overtime win over Minnesota. “They’ll be burning the midnight oil, trying to figure out how to stop the other quarterback. I don’t envy them. Well, I do envy them, actually. But, you know.”

This is the way things are supposed to work. Karma. Ain’t it great?

Poor Brett Favre. Here he is after a second-quarter fumble, one of his three turnovers in the NFC title game. (AP photo)

Poor Brett Favre. Here he is after a second-quarter fumble, one of his three turnovers and five by Minnesota in the NFC title game.

Some Falcons fans might not be thrilled with the Saints, their long-time rival, finally making it to the Super Bowl. But there is no more fun team to watch play in the NFL than the Saints, and the backdrop of Hurricane Katrina and the physical and financial ruin of one of the world’s most special cities makes it that much sweeter.

Only one thing could have made it better, and we got it: Brett Favre’s self immolation.

Favre orchestrated exits from the Green Bay Packers and New York Jets, all so he could play for the Minnesota Vikings following a protracted Hamlet act that kept the football world waiting. He threw for more than 300 yards Sunday night. But he committed

Peyton Manning will play in his second Super Bowl, this time against his favorite team as a kid, the Saints, whom his father, Archie, played for. (AP photo)

Peyton Manning will play in his second Super Bowl, this time against his favorite team as a kid, the Saints, whom his father, Archie, played for.

three of the Vikings’ five turnovers, including an interception with seven seconds left in regulation that prevented the them from attempting a game-winning field goal.

Then in overtime, Favre watched helplessly as the Saints won a coin flip and drove to a game-winning, 40-yard field goal. There was nothing he could do from the sideline.

Smith: “I noticed that.” (That’s all I could get out of him.)

The Saints vs. any team would make for a special Super Bowl. The fact they will face the Indianapolis Colts comes with some irony. Peyton Manning, the Colts’ quarterback, grew up in New Orleans a Saints fan. His father, Archie, was their quarterback.

The matchup of Manning vs. Drew Brees should, Smith said, “make for a lot of fireworks.” He knows both well. He faced Manning twice a year when he was Jacksonville’s defensive coordinator. He faces Brees twice a year now in the NFC South

Pick a winner?

“No way.”

Break it down?

“Obviously, they’re two great offenses. I think the thing it will come down to is which team protects their quarterback better. Both teams have pretty good pass rushes. But both quarterbacks will be hard to stop.”

Smith saw what happened to the Jets’ defense, and it looked familiar. New York got early pressure on Manning. Even sacked him a couple of times. But then the quarterback starting burning the Jets when they blitzed and picked apart their zone defenses when they didn’t. The Colts were held to two field goals in their first five possessions, then scored three touchdowns and a field goal in the next five. A 17-6 deficit turned into a 30-17 lead.

“It’s risk-reward when you blitz him,” Smith said. “The Jets were coming after him early. But once [the Colts] identified the looks, they had a better idea how to attack him. When they were in a zone, they took the short throws. When they saw pressure, they had one-on-one opportunities.

“I saw some of the same routes and same checks that he’s been doing for 10 years. You notice how many plays he takes down to the last second on the play clock before he snaps the ball? He gets an image of the defense. He wants to take it down to the last second before he decides what the best way to attack is.”

So how do you stop him?

“Sometimes making him go the long way is better,” he said. “When the Jets were winning, they were holding Indy to field goals. Play great red zone defense. Give them the short stuff. Tackle well, and knock the ball out when you can.”

Both defenses will be scrambling in two weeks. But Manning vs. Brees and Colts vs. Saints is the best show we could have hoped for.

101 comments Add your comment

Greg Mendel

January 24th, 2010
11:19 pm

BugKiller

January 24th, 2010
11:31 pm

Just think, Jeff… we escaped all of the Brett Favre is BACK stories…

… but now we must suffer through all of Archie Manning interviews and Payton grew up in NOLA stories.

The one thing I hope comes from all of this is renewed attention for NOLA, which is STILL suffering after Katrina.

I mean… yeah, I gave $10 to Haiti… but there are still people living on the streets in NOLA who used to be home owners.

There are still people in NOLA who live in government-run shelters and government-supplied trailers and who share their homes with vermin.

To all of the idiots out there who actually believes trusting the government to run health care when they can’t run a simple program like cash for clunkers, look towards New Orleans to see what happens when governments intercede in our lives for the worse: at the city level, where that idiot mayor basically condemned all those people to death by refusing state and federal help before Katrina hit land, to the corrupt state house in Baton Rouge which has done basically nothing to fix up New Orleans outside the French Quarter and surrounding areas, and of course, to the federal government, which would rather send money to Haiti than fix the problems at home.

I hate to be preachy, but government is NEVER the solution. It’s the PROBLEM.

Greg Mendel

January 24th, 2010
11:37 pm

I enjoyed the game. I feel for the Saints’ with their miserable history, so even as our longtime rival, I’m happy for them.

Regarding the Vikes, I really haven’t followed the Bret Favre drama, but had respect for him not giving up after being repeatedly demolished during tonight’s game. The man made some mistakes, but he was playing hurt bad, I think. Drama aside, Favre is a legitimate Hall ‘O Fame quarterback. So is Drew Brees.

Of course, Favre was drafted by the Falcons years ago, and traded for some long-forgotten dud after being allowed to play in two games for genius Jerry Glanville, who hated him.

to bugkiller

January 24th, 2010
11:41 pm

the crooked free markets are failing the country

tell it like it is

January 24th, 2010
11:43 pm

Ball on the ground-Ball on the ground -looking like a fool with the ball on the ground.GOOOOOOO Saints.Boy that was hard to say since the Falcons are not going,i’m jelous.

Jeff Schultz

January 24th, 2010
11:52 pm

Greg — I hope not. If first is last, I’m in trouble.

Bluephi1914

January 24th, 2010
11:52 pm

The sound I want to hear on the Saints first possession Superbowl Sunday…..Brees drops back to pass….he’s leveled by Freeney!!!! Oh this is bad; Brees is down…..injury time out…this is bad folks; they have bought out a cart for Brees…..

Bluephi1914

January 24th, 2010
11:53 pm

I second that, mack3!!

Jeff Schultz

January 24th, 2010
11:53 pm

BugKiller — Look at it this way. No matter what two teams play each other in the Super Bowl, we’re always going to be sick of the storylines by the time we get to kickoff. But it’s still better than being sick of the Brett Favre storyline, isn’t it?

mack3

January 24th, 2010
11:54 pm

hate to see the saints go to the bowl but they’re in….i honestly think the falcons played them very well and should’ve beat them on both games this year, i think the saints are happy they didn’t have to face the falcons during the playoffs….atlanta gives them the ‘rival’ fits….can’t wait for atlanta to play them again….anyway i will be rooting for the colts to win the SB can’t stand the thought of NO getting a SB win before the birds!

Jeff Schultz

January 24th, 2010
11:55 pm

Tell it like it is — I love your new lyrics to “Pants on the Ground.” Did you try out for American Idol?

Bluephi1914

January 24th, 2010
11:57 pm

New Orleans loves to bring pressure in assorted blitz packages; if they try this against Peyton, he’ll carve them up like a turkey on Thanksgiving day! What’s your assessment Jeff?

BugKiller

January 24th, 2010
11:58 pm

Jeff… it’s ALWAYS better.

I’m just glad, as horrible as Joe “Legacy” Buck is, that John Madden didn’t call this game.

@ to bugkiller: the free markets aren’t failing, and any attempt by Obamanation to “fix” the market will send us further down the rabbit hole.

In fact, he actually helped to create the problem we’re currently in regarding the mortgage crisis. What with his support of ACORN strong-arming mortgage lenders and guess who Fanny Mae gave the third most money to in Congress over the last four years???

Why is it that no one seems to have learned from Jimmy Carter’s abortion of a Presidency?

AS

January 24th, 2010
11:58 pm

Awww,
Looks like the Favre haters are in full force led by their lead loser Jeff “who’s he” Schultz. Jeff, no one will remember you and your miserable little self, but Favre will live on in NFL glory. At 40, he has achieved what QB’s 10 years younger cannot. So quit hating, it’s not Favre’s fault that you have a third rate job with a fourth rate newsrag.

Lesa

January 24th, 2010
11:59 pm

I was hoping the Saints would win today and it was lovely watching Favre get hit hard all day long and throw that interception with 7 seconds left. I’m a die-hard Falcons fan, but I’m glad our rivals finally made it to a Super Bowl. That said, I hope the Colts beat them. I don’t want the Aints to WIN a Super Bowl before my Falcons do.

B'ssitude

January 24th, 2010
11:59 pm

Watched both games. Despite their loss, I thought the Jets are a team that should hold their heads high. At the same time, despite the win, one could not help coming away with the feeling that the Saints got away with one. http://mybadassitude.com. The colts looked great, like a team about to win the superbowl

BugKiller

January 24th, 2010
11:59 pm

… and just to ensure I’m not labeled by all the small minds out there… me no fan of Bush, either.

Jeff Schultz

January 25th, 2010
12:00 am

Mack3 — Falcons did play the Saints very well, especially given the talent of the Saints’ offense and the lack thereof of the Falcons’ defense. But those games are always crazy, it seems.

Bluephi1914

January 25th, 2010
12:00 am

AS, who in the blue blazes pee’d in your cornflakes this morning? Yeesh!!

BugKiller

January 25th, 2010
12:01 am

And to that… GOODNIGHT!

Jeff Schultz

January 25th, 2010
12:02 am

BluePhi1914 — As much as I love to watch the Saints, I have to go with the Colts on this one. Saints can run the ball better, but it’s tough to go against Manning. Plus, Saints aren’t quite as good when they’re not at home.

Bluephi1914

January 25th, 2010
12:02 am

If the falcons were at full strength for both games against N.O., the saints would not have been on the way to the SB!

Jeff Schultz

January 25th, 2010
12:04 am

BugKiller — Loved it when Joe Buck and Troy Aikman disagreed on that bogus roughing-the-passer penalty against the Saints. If anything, you’d think Aikman (a former QB) would say it was a penalty. But he said it wasn’t. I think I’ll take his viewpoint over Buck’s in this case. (But I actually think Buck is a pretty good announcer.)

Jeff Schultz

January 25th, 2010
12:05 am

B’ssitude — I’m with you. Jets were VERY impressive. Great defense, and Sanchez looks like he’s going to be the real deal.

Bluephi1914

January 25th, 2010
12:05 am

Agreed, Jeff. I had someone earlier mention that the Colts would lose due to the warm weather in Miami…My reply was simply that BOTH are DOME teams! Definitely no advantage there! LOL!!

He was a bit tipsy though…….

Jeff Schultz

January 25th, 2010
12:06 am

AS — Third rate job? Fourth-rate newsrag? Ah well. At least I had three fewer turnovers than Favre today.

Cheers to the Saints

January 25th, 2010
12:06 am

The Saints-Falcons rivalry is a bitter one with much bad blood. However, it’s hard not to enjoy the Saints fans when they come to the Georgia Dome. Super Bowl Sunday- your rivals in Atlanta will root for the Saints. Congrats to the Who Dats!

Jeff Schultz

January 25th, 2010
12:07 am

BluePhi — I think the answer to your question to AS would be: The Saints.

Bluephi1914

January 25th, 2010
12:08 am

Vikes did shoot themselves in the foot with so many turn overs, but I cannot understand how they let that Thomas touchdown stand! He was clearly down before the ball crossed the plane!

I wonder if Roger and company will review this game’s officiating!

Bluephi1914

January 25th, 2010
12:08 am

Sorry Cheers, but THIS FALCON FAN will be rooting for Peyton to have a record setting game and collect his 2nd ring!!!!!

Bluephi1914

January 25th, 2010
12:10 am

LOLOLOL!! @ Jeff!

MARTIN

January 25th, 2010
12:14 am

Who dat finally got the monkey off their back, what a great win for the city of new orleans and the entire gulf coast region. Stop HATIN on them dirty bird fans, guess what we still love you guys. For all of the dirty bird fans that continue to pull for us, we love you. For the ones that hate the saints, well I guess we will see you guys the next time the two teams play. See you guys later, there’s a all night party on bourbon st. This party is going to be bigger then the biggest cocktail party (georgia/florida) , bigger then the texas state fair, texas.oklahoma, bigger then mardi gras.

Jeff Schultz

January 25th, 2010
12:14 am

Start the clock! Again! Brett Favre just said he’s not sure if he’s going to retire or not. And I am not making this up.

Najeh Davenpoop

January 25th, 2010
12:16 am

Both the Colts and the Saints have great passing offenses, good enough running games that feed off the space created by the passing game, and defenses that thrive on rushing the passer and creating turnovers. The Colts have a more proven kicker, a less turnover-prone offense, and are better at playing straight defense (like limiting yards and what not) than the Saints, so I’m picking the Colts to win.

But I’m just happy that the NFL playoffs finally delivered two good games. The playoffs up to this point had been incredibly boring.

mack3

January 25th, 2010
12:17 am

good point Jeff about the prolific saints offense and the suspect Birds defense and still both games were tight….which gives me greater hope about the next time we play the saints in that atlanta’s defense should be stronger/healhier and more experienced

bluephi….i definitely agree if atlanta wins either one of those two games NO probably not headed to SB and certainly would not have had homefield advantage

Najeh Davenpoop

January 25th, 2010
12:17 am

And yeah, Favre is a selfish douche.

Ryder

January 25th, 2010
12:18 am

I’m glad to hear Coach Smith’s assessment of the game, because as long as Atlanta has that high school defense, they won’t be in any of these games anytime soon.

That said, please move the political talk to the Huffington Post. This is a sports blog thank you very much.

I think it will be an amazing Super Bowl that will keep both teams on edge. However I believe that the Colts will be too much for the Saints to handle. Colts 31, Saints 20.

Bluephi1914

January 25th, 2010
12:18 am

@ Jeff….here we go again!!!! He’ll retire because of the bitter taste of this loss, only to comeback with 1 game left in the pre-season!

come on man

January 25th, 2010
12:19 am

That third down pass in overtime was not a completion. The reciever bobbled and let it hit the ground. That and the terrible Minnesota drive to end the game were the keys…. other than the Vikings giving the ball up a half a dozen times.

Jeff Schultz

January 25th, 2010
12:20 am

First line I see from Bodog Sports: Colts by 4, over/under is 56. Says here that Indy covers.

Colts Vs Saints - XTS

January 25th, 2010
12:23 am

[...] Super Bowl: Colts Vs. Saints, Manning Vs. Brees Is Historic | Jeff This is what you wanted. Indianapolis started the season 14-0, and the Colts might still be undefeated if they didn’t place themselves in a protective. [...]

Jeff Schiitz

January 25th, 2010
12:25 am

I don’t think you can blame Favre for the Vikings loss tonight. The game I was watching involved several fumbles by AP and Percy. While Brett did throw a pick late in the game, he was really the main reason the game was tied in the fourth. AP got the TDs in the red-zone but Favre got them in the red-zone.

Furthermore, the man is geriatric in NFL years and still led his team to OT in the NFC Championship. Don’t hate him just because you are a sh!tty sportswriter and he’s the greatest QB of all-time.

Reid Adair

January 25th, 2010
12:26 am

If the game had been clean (and by clean I mean not so many blown “reviews” in favor of the Saints), it would have been much better.

The Saints are in for a long game in two weeks. The Colts protect the football, and without the turnovers tonight, New Orleans would have been done.

I am also not in favor of the folks who like to say, “Oh, this is good for them because of Katrina, etc., etc.” There are people still suffering in New Orleans, but what does this do for them? Seriously? The Saints going to the Super Bowl isn’t helping those people re-build their lost homes or replace lost belongings.

BnB

January 25th, 2010
12:29 am

Yeah…Favre cost them the game not the half dozen fumbles.

macfute

January 25th, 2010
12:29 am

The Saints were supposed to have the offense but won with defense and the Super Dome. The Colts might not have won if they had to play in New York. The only constant was Peyton Manning and he should win another Super Bowl.

Colts Vs Saints | AXI

January 25th, 2010
12:29 am

[...] Super Bowl: Colts Vs. Saints, Manning Vs. Brees Is Historic | Jeff This is what you wanted. Indianapolis started the season 14-0, and the Colts might still be undefeated if they didn’t place themselves in a protective. [...]

Super Bowl 2010 Teams | AXI

January 25th, 2010
12:31 am

[...] Super Bowl: Colts Vs. Saints, Manning Vs. Brees Is Historic | Jeff 11:06 pm January 24, 2010, by Jeff Schultz. Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning (18) talks with his father, former NFL quarterback. Peyton Manning led the Indianapolis Colts into another Super Bowl, this time against the New Orleans Saints,… [...]

JacketJohnny

January 25th, 2010
12:35 am

The Saints (aints) cannot win a SuperBOwl before the Falcons..GO COLTS !!!

Jeff Schiitz

January 25th, 2010
12:36 am

I don’t know how you can say those reviews were blown, Reid. There wasn’t enough video evidence to overturn any of those calls. And I would not have minded seeing the Vikings win. They blew it with all of the lost and nearly lost fumbles.

JSS

January 25th, 2010
12:38 am

Ah here come the Favre bashers, you won’t be satisfied till he is like that famous picture of Y.A. Tittle! It almost happened today by the way, wicked shots that 400 year old man took, and he did keep coming back… Why do you get so upset about Favre waffling, it is what he does… Ask any American wife if they’d expect less? But enough of praising Brett Favre, did Uncle Charlie have that stroke yet? My goodness it would almost be worth it for the Who Dat’s to win just to watch the collective stroke out that the most obnoxious of Falcons fan would if the only other team as pathetic as our Falcons won a Super Bowl first! I wonder what BugKiller thought of the farmer in NY State who killed 51 cows before offing himself this week? Gotta love this blog sometime…

Brett Favre

January 25th, 2010
12:39 am

…and my pick didn’t help. But despite all of my flip-flopping and diva attitude Jeff Schultz’ wife will always want me.

Wow.

January 25th, 2010
12:46 am

Jeez, JSS. What is he supposed to think about someone who finds it rational to kill everything around them before killing themselves? Can you really politicize something like that? I don’t think you can blame any politician for that kind of decision on someone else’s part. Clearly, that was between the farmer and his maker.

Greg Norton

January 25th, 2010
12:50 am

I am overjoyed that the saints won. Not cuz I’m such a fan but I think I might have done harm to myself if I had had to endure another two weeks of Brett Farve-ra. He and his fake limping around act very nearly made me sick. Maybe he is coming back to be a soccer player.

G

January 25th, 2010
12:50 am

I am sick and tired of all of the smack. ONly 2 teams make it to the Super Bowl and only one wins. All of this shoulda, coulda, woulda it sooooooooo………. childish. Let the teams play and the best on that given day will win. Such grown cry babies. Your team did not make it, there is always next year, so GET OVER IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Colts Vs Saints - Nardu

January 25th, 2010
12:54 am

[...] Super Bowl: Colts Vs. Saints, Manning Vs. Brees Is Historic | Jeff This is what you wanted. Indianapolis started the season 14-0, and the Colts might still be undefeated if they didn’t place themselves in a protective. [...]

MARTIN

January 25th, 2010
12:56 am

Why are you guys still talking about the saints /falcons games. The better team won both games, I mean get over it people. Just like tonight’s game, the better team one, they created turn overs, just like they have been doing this entire year. Yes, payton manning is good, but so is drew brees. The saints ARE THE NFC CHAMPIONS, so for all you HATERS, get over it, you’ll have another shot at the saints next football season.

Super Bowl 2010 Teams - Nardu

January 25th, 2010
12:57 am

[...] Super Bowl: Colts Vs. Saints, Manning Vs. Brees Is Historic | Jeff 11:06 pm January 24, 2010, by Jeff Schultz. Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning (18) talks with his father, former NFL quarterback. Peyton Manning led the Indianapolis Co… [...]

Saints Superbowl Results

January 25th, 2010
1:01 am

[...] Super Bowl: Colts vs. Saints, Manning vs. Brees is historic | Jeff …The New Orleans Saints defeated Minnesota for the NFC championship to reach its first Super Bowl and they’ll face Indianapolis, which beat New York Jets for AFC title. Read more [...]

Dogs rule

January 25th, 2010
1:01 am

Bug Killer, could not agree with you more. Due to the corruption that has been rampant in Louisiana for generations, the money sent to fix the levees as far back as the Clinton administration was never put to use. And all along, it’s been more popular politically to help those overseas than those at home.
Now, back to football…watching Favre throw that last pick was absolutely the icing on the cake. The way he jerked around the Packers, the Jets and the Vikings is worse than listening to Jordan’s speech at his induction into the NBA HOF. My money says he retires…again…and then changes his mind AFTER training camp is over…again. And of course, Minnesota will bend over…again.
But having been a Falcon since ‘66, I cannot wish for a Saints victory, so, Go Colts!

JSS

January 25th, 2010
1:03 am

Wow…
Ask Nancy, Jr. Psychiatrist (AKA BugKiller)? He’s spent the better part of the last 3 years diagnosing the behavior of so-called “sociopaths” on here… By the way, who politicized the matter? It certainly wasn’t me…

[...] Super Bowl: Colts vs. Saints, Manning vs. Brees is historic | Jeff …The New Orleans Saints defeated Minnesota for the NFC championship to reach its first Super Bowl and they’ll face Indianapolis, which beat New York Jets for AFC title. Read more [...]

Superbowl » Current News Trends

January 25th, 2010
1:29 am

[...] Super Bowl: Colts vs. Saints, Manning vs. Brees is historic | Jeff … [...]

Willy

January 25th, 2010
1:32 am

Jeff, at least he’s saying he doesn’t know – which he doesn’t. I’d think it hard to say you want to quit football after so many years, and I think it’d be hard to say your’e ready to commit to all that pain and work. You fully underestimate that, preferring to label the guy as a diva, instead. He’s not doing it for the spotlight, he works at it. He may not do the whole camp, but at 40, and with his resume, he shouldn’t have to and it might be best to rest when you can. You are incredibly short sighted when it comes to Favre. Its annoying.

Willy

January 25th, 2010
1:37 am

I mean, the guy is 40 years old and is still competing at a hall of fame level. Who the hell are you to tell him how he should do it? I know, it’s your job (and you often times do it well), but your take on Favre is totally juvenile.

falstaffinNO

January 25th, 2010
2:16 am

It is amusing to hear the Falcon fans who voice their annoying whining dis of the team that beat them twice this year. Colts and Saints will be a great match up. The Vikings deserve credit for a great game that they could have won. As a lifelong Saints fan I wish the Saints would have passed more today. But whatever… GO SAINTS!!! Anyone dissing Favre is a F*&^%ing Pu&^y!! Put a uniform on yourself and see what you can do after being pounded 16 times by 300 pound linemen. The man deserves our respect!!

Bugkiller needs to STFU with his political talk. No one on this forum gives two s>&^%’s for your droll… Trolls like BK need to have their labia’s shoved in their mouths till they cannot speak or type. What an empty headed moron.

Keshawn

January 25th, 2010
2:29 am

I agree with G and Martin. Get over it. The Saints won. And we can talk about what coulda happened and what shoulda happened. But what happen was the Saints won. Won, won, won. And that can’t be taken back. People thought the Saints wasn’t going to make it this far. But they proved those people wrong. They made it to the superbowl. SO DON’T THINK THEY CAN’T WIN THE SUPERBOWL. And as for the turnovers, that’s part of winning the game. Its part of the game. Thats what the teams wish for. Turnovers, interseptions, and of course touchdowns. I’m a woman and I know that. Get over it.

Keshawn

January 25th, 2010
2:34 am

Who Dat. Who Dat. Who dat said they ga beat them Saints. Go Saints!!!!! And they will go all the way!

P. Bull Terrier

January 25th, 2010
3:06 am

I don’t know if it makes me cold hearted or just politically incorrect, but Jeff is the 1st person I’ve heard mention the Katrina story line and I’m already sick of it. We had to suffer through the MNF Falcons vs. Saints game a couple of years ago and listening to how wonderful the Saints were because they played football in a city that got flooded was enough to gag me. I hope we don’t have to do it all over again.

The hurricane was four years ago. It’s old news. Talk about Drew Breese and his great season, Reggie Bush and his mess at USC, the Saints defense and how they played better than expected this year, just leave the hurricane story line for the regular news media.

I have some sympathy for people who are still living on the streets four years after the hurricane, but not much. Bad things happen to people all the time and it can be hard to recover, but eventually you have to stop looking to someone else to fix your problems and do it yourself. Either that, or sit around waiting for the local football team to make it to the Super Bowl and hope some wealthy advertiser wants to gain some good PR and decides to start handing out money on the street corner.

Dr. Warren

January 25th, 2010
3:48 am

The Saints are Atlanta’s only longtime pro sports rival. I feel great for their fans, but I still can’t stand to see the black & gold in the Super Bowl.

The Whole Truth

January 25th, 2010
4:02 am

I like the Saints.. Rivals with the Falcons but a friendly rivalry to me.

After what the Republican and the Bush administration put that city through with Katrina, this is a blessing for them.

Free Market as defined by todays right-wing political losers says that you are own your own. If you are smart you would not live in NO. If you do it is your risk. Die if you must. Not my responsibility. Free market!Go Rush/Hannity!!!

Alison

January 25th, 2010
4:18 am

Super Bowl, Super Bowl.
Really taken my soul.
Here again u’ve come!
pleasure, brought more than some.

I’m looking forward to attend the gmaes, I even got ma tix from Ticketsinventory.com and waiting for February!

Come on February!
what surprise u carry!
who’ll win who’ll loose!
the latter is a moose.

The Vikings will make the bowl, of coure they are not mooses.

FalconManiac

January 25th, 2010
4:29 am

I can’t call the Aints no more. Who Dat, Who Dat…..Go Colts. And The Whole Truth, NO put themselves more than Bush did after Katrina. The people elected a Republican Governor.

falcon71

January 25th, 2010
4:58 am

love the Saints being there Its the best thing for the Falcons at this point. In this day the SB teams, ( less the Pats ) rarely have sucess the following year. Pittsburg most recently. Remember the Bears or Panthers or Falcons. Something seems to get them the next year.

The future in the Div looks brighter for the Falcons next year

tom

January 25th, 2010
6:10 am

Blame the coach or blame Favre. Passing on that last play was dumb. Run the ball and kick a field goal. Glad to see NO in the SB. Hope they win it.

UA Alum92

January 25th, 2010
8:28 am

As expected, the press is talking more about Favre in their loss than Manning in his win. I only hope BF stays retired this time. Sick of hearing about him. Manning may be the best QB to ever play the game.

Eric Moss

January 25th, 2010
8:34 am

Well, Roger Goddell made sure that the city of Nineveh, in mean New Orleans, would make it to the super(scam)bowl. I felt like I was watching Professional Wrestling last night. You kinda knew the predetermined outcome, but you’re hoping it’s not the case. FAKE FAKE FAKE FAKE FAKE!!!!! Go spend your money and time on something worthwhile instead of this junk. Their is a reason why they call it entertainment!

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater

January 25th, 2010
8:36 am

blame the o-line for the Vikes for letting Favre getting hit at least 15 times..still you have to give him props for staying in the game. great game for sure

Pittsburgh Al

January 25th, 2010
8:47 am

This was a good game decided again by a questionable officials call. That the Vikings were still in this game after all of the turnovers was remarkable. But to lose it on an uncertain interference call is a lousy way to lose. After spending plenty of time looking at a couple of reviewable plays, the most critical play is accepted as called. The NFL has to come up with a way to look at official’s calls since bad ones affect the game just as much as the spot of the ball or whether the catch was made. This looked like an uncatchable ball and contact appeared to not be initiated by the defender. Yet the call stands without question or review and the game goes to the Saints. I realize the games drag on now with all of the reviews, but should at least interference calls be reviewable since they are game changers. They already have decided that not all plays are reviewable, so deciding that only these penalties are is not outside what is currently in place. One more thing on OT. I do not like college OT because it is so artificial. But NFL OT should not be decided on who wins the coin flip. Each team should have at least 1 possession, playing the game the way it is played by kicking off after a score. It would eliminate most OT games being decided on the dreaded field goal. Probably never happen, but a good idea in my mind.

Jeff Schultz

January 25th, 2010
8:51 am

Willy — True. Saying his doesn’t know is better than crying, saying he’s done, then coming back.

Eric

January 25th, 2010
9:04 am

bugkiller is an obvious moron. his garbage comes directly from the likes of limbaugh, oreilly and hannity. pure crap. I’m guessing he never had an original thought of his own in all his 15years. As for Brett Favre, he’s great for football. The Vikings wouldn’t even have been there without him. The man loves football. Like it or not, he’s a star.

Go Fish, Yourself!

January 25th, 2010
9:08 am

P. Bull Terrier

Let’s hope nothing bad happens to YOUR family, or anyone YOU care about.

UGAFan

January 25th, 2010
9:15 am

We’ll STILL hear more about Brett Farve’s near miss than Drew Brees for the next two weeks. And what’s wrong with Joe Buck?

[...] an interesting exchange last night with Falcons coach Mike Smith, when I spoke to him about two conference championship games. At one point, I asked Smith if he had any feelings about the New Orleans [...]

PMC

January 25th, 2010
9:30 am

I’m happy for the city the state and south mississippi that they finally have thier team in the Super Bowl… but I’m a falcons fan Shultz this is absolutely NOT what I wanted. I’d much rather have seen an epic battle between two of the best STAR QB’s of our age in Manning and Farve both of which household names.

How about Tom Benson…. if not for the hurricane they would be the San Antonio Saints already… somebody shove a rag in that dudes mouth.

[...] an interesting exchange last night with Falcons coach Mike Smith, when I spoke to him about two conference championship games. At one point, I asked Smith if he had any feelings about the New Orleans [...]

PMC

January 25th, 2010
9:32 am

Drew Brees was rather boring last night in comparison to Farve… but he sure lead his team well and to a victory. The late playoff interception the last 2 times in NFC championships is just expected from Farve.

PMC

January 25th, 2010
9:34 am

Farve should probably just say look I’m 41 now. Training camp is for rookies. I know the offense it’s ridiculous for me to spend a month and a half wasting energy. I’ll be back the second week in September and we’ll give it one more try.

I need Stimulation too

January 25th, 2010
9:41 am

Bugkiller — Good stuff

to bugkiller…a crooked free market will kill you…because it’s crooked and not a true free market…think about it.

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by reis_baron, Jeff Schultz and Jeff Schultz, Troy Jones. Troy Jones said: RT @JeffSchultzAJC: Super Bowl matchup: Manning-Brees, Colts-Saints is best we could hope for (and no Favre!!!). http://bit.ly/7sFNAi [...]

Eric Moss

January 25th, 2010
12:01 pm

Well, Roger Goddell made sure that the city of Nineveh, in mean New Orleans, would make it to the super(scam)bowl. I felt like I was watching Professional Wrestling last night. You kinda knew the predetermined outcome, but you’re hoping it’s not the case. FAKE FAKE FAKE FAKE FAKE!!!!! Go spend your money and time on something worthwhile instead of this junk. Their is a reason why they call it entertainment!

Dejavu

January 25th, 2010
12:42 pm

Great games all teams played yesterday, Brett Favre is one of the best fo all times, I think the game Saints vs Viking will be in the top 10 best games ever played!!

congratulations!!!!!!!!!!

jim

January 25th, 2010
1:06 pm

Manning must be licking his chops,hoping the superbowl gets moved up a week so he can tear the saints pass defense apart.

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Brenda Clayson and Debbie Woodall, Jeff Schultz. Jeff Schultz said: Super Bowl: Colts vs. Saints, Manning vs. Brees is historic: The NFC title win over Minnesota Sunday and the Super… http://bit.ly/665Pfa [...]

ACC Reality

January 25th, 2010
6:17 pm

Let’s go Saints! Not that I like one vs. the other, I just think the Saints winning will really put poor ole Archie Manning in a squeeze. You know it’s eating at his every nerve to want to be at the fore front for the very first Super Bowl the Saints will have been in, but he can’t cause his first born is the quarterback for the Colts. I’m positive Archie has ached for this day for the Saints as he would be coddled and smoozed by every talking head in the sports world and he would have been knocking on the Saints front office door immediately following their victory last night. Except for one BIG problem. I’ll bet he never in his wildest immagination ever thought the Saints very first Super Bowl would be opposite the hand picked team that Eli is the quarterback for. It’s quite funny…………..

Michelle from NOLA livin in ATL

January 25th, 2010
11:13 pm

How can a win be good for New Orleans? How can it help rebuild homes? Do you have any earthly idea how much business comes to town for these games? Saints fans from everywhere book hotels, eat in the restaurants, tip the waiters and the bartenders and those working at the Cafe Du Monde to make ends meet. Locals have seen 50% – 75% increases in their business with the playoffs and the seasons success of the Saints. The publicity will bring tourism and conferences. You ask any New Orleanian what the Saints do for NOLA. The players have dedicated time, money and their spirit and invested it in the people of the city…in a way unlike any other team in the NFL. If you cannot pull for the Saints in support of your NFC South brethen, shame on you! We rooted for the ATL when they went and I was sad when they lost! We may fight on the field twice a year but there is something called conference pride! And come on – this is not about Katrina – this is about a 43 year history of loss and disappointment and complete fan dedication…if you choose to rain on our parade, you are going to miss one hell of a party…I’ll be in NOLA for the bowl…there is no place I’d rather be.

GetKrunk

January 25th, 2010
11:35 pm

The sound that we’ll be hearing in the stadium: “Bluephi1914, please tell your mother to get off her knees. She’s been treating all of us for the first 3 quarters, we can only take so much”

Scott

January 26th, 2010
10:02 am

You know you’ve done something right when the only thing people have to complain about you is that you retired from something and then decided to come back.

April from New Orleans

January 26th, 2010
4:04 pm

Very well said Michele from NOLA

big D

January 27th, 2010
1:22 am

This is for all the jealous vikings fans on these posts. Farve on the ground, helmet to the side, a$$ on the ground, leg in a cast, Farve on the ground again!!!, verse #2 same as above but, add Farve put the ball on the ground, # 4 put the ball on the ground, the vikings put the ball on the ground,six times!!!! end chorus with, and Farve threw 2 picks in a repaired superdome! I actually like Farve, I am a true NFL fan. I can’t believe I used to like the vikings when I was a kid, until they lost four Superbowls, go figure.The vikings and ESPN think they gave the game to the saints, and we didn’t deserve or earn the win. They only had one unforced fumble at the 5 yard line, (botched hand off by Farve and Peterson.) The saints knocked the ball out 5 times through ball hawking and stripping techniques. Three of the 6 fumbles were recovered by the saints and 3 by the vikings. The other two turnovers were picks by the saints. If you follow the season stats, you would see that the saints have been doing this all year long, this isn’t a fluke, it is consistency.Get over it, Your Farve experiment failed,You lost, Period. The Saints defense took the game. Brees had ample time to throw the ball, he simply had a bad day. He was over throwing receivers and under throwing to backs and tight ends. Trust me, the vikes had no pass rush by their so called vaunted defense. Sean Payton also had a bad day with his scheme and some of his play calls. You’re right, it should have been a blow out in the saints’ favor. Lets go to excuse #2 Let me clear my throat. The refs. I see it this way. The refs wanted to see a story book ending to Farve’s career and gave him special treatment. The saints were getting flagged with bs calls all evening. #1 fair catch which was fumbled and the return man was hit after he tried to recover it. Free ball,Legal, Bogus 15 yards. #2 Two hand touch penalty on Farve right after he released the ball, can’t touch this. 15 more bogus yards. #3 Another penalty for illegal proceedure, moving the ball around, as explained. Give me a freeking break! #4 On one of many Farve knock downs or beatings, they called a 15 yarder for hitting a man out of bounds, After it was pointed out by Peyton that he didn’t hit him out of bounds, and Farve put on his limping act, the refs huddled, looked at the replay and changed the call to roughing the passer. The flag was thrown on the side line and not at Farve’s feet. By the way, the flag was thrown 5 seconds after the play was over. # 5 Receiver goes back for the under thrown ball in the endzone. The defense gets called for interference, ball on the one yard line. Their wasn’t even any contact. Just give it to them, tie score. The saints got by with one and only one bad call in overtime, the interference call which was uncatchable. I agree. But the saints still had downs and could have and would have gotten closer anyway. Most of the bogus calls against the saints were on third down which gave the vikes new life and extended drives, which contributed to some of the excess yards gained by the vikes and contributed to more time of possession. This kept the ball out of Breeses hands. This game was earned by the saints and is deserved by the city. I really beleive in my heart that the saints have a chance to win the bowl. My prediction is(drum roll) SAINTS 38 COLTS 35. If I am wrong, it will be a New Orleans saints super bowl anyway, with manning being New Orleans favorite son! Its win win for N.O. So get over it, all you doubters and Saint haters out there who come to our city and have the time of your lives when you’re here, and bad mouth us when we finally achieve something. The Saints aren’t going to be your wipping boys anymore! We have grown up. Oh and I almost forgot something, I know this pisses you off. Who Dat! ,Who Dat! Your story is ova!

Happy, elated and pissed off at the same time in N.O., Big D.

Chasethebeast

January 29th, 2010
2:09 pm

Colts get ball on the 1 drop back and hail Mary TD then saints ball ints colts throw it TD 1st quarter

[...] Super Bowl: Colts vs. Saints, Manning vs. Brees is historic | Jeff …Super Bowl 2010 Teams | AXI. January 25th, 2010 12:31 am. [...] Super Bowl: Colts Vs. Saints, Manning Vs. Brees Is Historic | Jeff 11:06 pm January 24, 2010, by Jeff Schultz. Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning (18) talks with … Read more [...]