For the better part of the past two decades, the New Orleans Saints were legit Super Bowl contenders.
However, it wasn’t until 2009 when they were finally on top of the world, reaching Super Bowl XLIV against Peyton Manning and the almighty Indianapolis Colts, and today marks the 13th anniversary from that day.
13-years ago today: The #Saints won the first Super Bowl title in their history after Peyton Manning threw a pick-6 to Tracy Porter in the 4th quarter.pic.twitter.com/yVPuGbGJGv
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) February 7, 2023
The Colts were favored by five points entering the game, which wasn’t surprising as they had already won the Vince Lombardi trophy three years earlier, and had reigning MVP Manning pulling the strings of the offense.
However, the revamped Saints with newly-signed QB Drew Brees under center and a stout defense, rallied from a ten-point deficit to get past the Colts to get an unlikely 31-17 win.
The Saints were fresh off a 3-13 season and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, so this game was one of the most iconic and emotional in recent NFL history.
Brees wrote his name on Super Bowl and Saints history books by completing 32 of 39 passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns, dedicating the win to the Big Easy after over 85% of the city was covered in water just one year before the game.
He would go on to continue and finish his career in New Orleans and become the greatest player in franchise history, with Head Coach Sean Payton by his side, although they couldn’t reach the biggest stage again.
Now, the once-contending Saints are going through a bit of a transition phase, so it might take a while before they reach this stage again.
NEXT: The Saints Have Officially Chosen A New DC
