Most were expecting a shootout in Super Bowl 44. Either that, or the other option was the Colts simply overwhelming the Saints, with the Saints scoring very little. However, both scenarios are wrong: the game is close, closer than 10-6 might lead you to believe, going into the half.
It seemed like the Colts might be on the way to a one-sided victory at first. The Saints got the ball first, but gave the ball back to the Colts without a first down, three-and-out.
The Colts then took the ball, with Peyton Manning showing an obvious connection to TE Dallas Clark, and ran down the field. Eventually, the drive petered out, and Indy settled for a 38-yard Matt Stover field goal.
Again the Colts stopped the Saints, and again they scored. This time the Colts scored on a 19 yard TD pass from Manning to WR Pierre Garcon. It was a 96 yard drive, to boot, after the Saints downed a punt inside the Colts' 5.
One thing the Colts showed in the first period that was surprising to some: a rushing attack. After finishing last in the NFL in rushing, Joseph Addai put up 60 yards on 7 rushes in the first half.
The second period, however, was all New Orleans. Or rather, it was,e except for a great goal-line stand by the Colts Defense. The Saints amassed almost all the yards in the second quarter, but were held to two FGs by Garrett Hartley, one of 46 yards, and another of 44 yards.
It was the Colts goal-line stand that kept them ahead. With first and goal at the Colts 3, the Saints couldn't get in for a TD. It didn't help that they had a false start penalty that cost them 5 yards.
Peyton Manning finished the half 10 / 16 for 97 yards, 1 TD, no INTs and 100.3 QB rating. Drew Brees finished 16 / 22 for 164 yards, 93.8 QB rating (no TDs, no INT).
There were no turnovers in the first half of the Super Bowl, and each team had only two penalties.
Written by Michael Santo
HULIQ.com
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