Saints 31 - Colts 17
I guess if I had to choose a very short statement as to why the score reads this way, two words would come to mind: Outcoached and outplayed. New Orleans was a better team on both sides of the ball this night.
It was important for Indy to get off to a fast start because of New Orleans early game jitters, having not been there before. And they did. But once the Saints were able to settle into a routine, the momentum shifted their way.
The 4th and one goal line stand by the Colts at the end of the first half was a great momentum stopper, after the Saints had dominated the time of possession in the 2nd quarter. But New Orleans got it back with their defense making a key stop and ended up kicking a FG.
Then, the onside kick to start the 2nd half was a gutsy call that caught the Colts off guard, one that led to the first lead of the night for the Saints. I thought that really let the air out of Indy's sail.
Still being ahead at the end of the 3rd, one might be tempted to think that Manning could be in position to take it home in the 4th, like he has done so many times this years. He didn't help himself much though. By throwing that interception at a critical juncture late in the 4th, that sealed it.
But after all is said and done, we all can see one thing that is very clear to us. There is a new sheriff in town, his name is Drew Brees. He was clearly the man in this game and may be the QB to stop in the next few years.
Now is the time that I must get ready to go to work and prepare to see all of the long faces, all day. I will hear about the refs and the non calls on holding Freeney. I won't mention that the Colts got the benefit on the other side of the ball as well. (I thought the refs did a pretty good job last night, overall.)
I will hear anger at Manning for the interception on what could have been the game-tying drive. I won't mention that the Colts defense didn't make the key stops when they needed to, like they did all year long. I won't say that the defense failed to create turnovers like they are accustomed to doing late in the game in key situations.
No sir. I am going to just keep my mouth shut. And when the time is right, I will tell them all to look forward to next year when most of the Colts will be back.....and ready to make another run at the title.
Despite being the avid Colts that I am, I realize one thing that many of my fellow avid fans may not. When all is said and done, this is just a ball game. It's just entertainment. The disappointment is understandable in some ways, but there are more important things in life--with the main thing being getting the bulk of the crooks out of our government.
So onward we go, my fellow NFL fans. Mon AM QB will be back next year, ready for another exciting football season.
18 comments:
I made it thru last night. The game was just too close to turn off. Now after a few hours of work I will return to the bedchamber!
I suppose that Indianapolis will wake up with one giant hangover today.
Didn't the Who sing "won't get fooled" again at halftime?
With no malice intended, if I may quote from a line from Shakespeare's Hamlet when Polonius speaks to Hamlet, scene IV, which may sum up the feeling in Indiana today.
Polonius: Oh, I am slain!
Losing the SB feels terrible, so I sympathize with LAS and all Colts fans.
On the bright side, as I predicted, it was a great game [shining fingernails on lapel). :)
I agree the onside kick to start the 2nd half was a key to the game. Loved the call, especially since it worked. Another key was the injury to Freeney. Once he tweaked his ankle, Brees instantly had more time to throw the ball. And of course the interception, which was more Porter recognizing the play than Manning making a bad pass. You could tell Porter knew exactly what was coming - that's great preparation.
And now I enter sports hibernation for about a month....
I had a different spin on the game, because I watched it with my 87 year old mom and 97 year old mother-in-law. Too many ugly men in their bvd's during the commercials.
A friend of mine who lives in New Orleans and has a Catholic blog, put this up before the game...
Romans 8-31…..”If God be for us, Who Dat be against us?”
That might explain the end result. ;-)
It was a good game, although I know not as good as you'd like. I thought the dropped pass by Garcon in the first half was a momentum shifter, too, but agree the onside kick changed the whole tone.
//I suppose that Indianapolis will wake up with one giant hangover today.
Didn't the Who sing "won't get fooled" again at halftime?//
They ended their set with it.
And no hangover here. I rarely drink much anymore, almost never on a night before I work. Doesn't mean I haven't when I was younger, just not now.
But the workplace was a bit slo-mo for some, so it would appear that there was some drowning of sorrows in some circles last evening.
//Losing the SB feels terrible, so I sympathize with LAS and all Colts fans.//
I can say that is disappointing. But in no way does it crash my world. As long as my friends and family are healthy and reasonably prosperous, I have no complaints.
Speaking of The Who...I have no idea who thought it would be a good idea to send those aging guys onto a stage, but what a disaster! They couldn't carry a tune, not to mention, hearing "See me. Feel me. Touch me. Heal me." from some old geezer was just plain creepy.
Sometimes they just have to know when it's time to hang up the guitars and retire.
//Romans 8-31…..”If God be for us, Who Dat be against us?”//
I hope no one ends up in purgatory for that one ME. ;)
//That might explain the end result.//
Actually, I heard that Obama picked the Colts. He hasn't picked many winners lately, we should have known the Saints would win it.
Unless........he did it in purposely because he knew everything he touches turns to excrement and he wanted NOLA to win it.
//I thought the dropped pass by Garcon in the first half was a momentum shifter//
That was his inexperience. Young players are often impetuous in certain situations, such was the case when he looked to run before he had the ball secured. Experience will be valuable to him.
He was not content to take what the Saints were giving him.
//Speaking of The Who...I have no idea who thought it would be a good idea to send those aging guys onto a stage, but what a disaster!//
Saw them in Nuremburg and in Indy. I thought their voices were shot, but some elements of the their music was still good. Hard to judge in a stadium, it's hard for them to hear themselves.
(I think the drummer was Zak Starkey, Ringo's son.)
Wait 'til next year!
But you know, if the Saints can do it, so can the Lions!
(just who the **** do I think I'm kidding?)
//But you know, if the Saints can do it, so can the Lions! //
You just never know. Growing up an Angels fan as a boy, I thought I'd never see them go to a World Series, much less win one.
Okay everyone, just because LA grew up in LA doesn’t mean he wears pink chiffon and bright yellow high-heeled shoes. I don’t want to hear any of that crap; shame on anyone who thinks that sort of thing about my friend LA Sunset.
Eric
I actually watched most of the game.
(Shh don't tell anybody!)
sorry your team lost, LA......xx
My dear Z,
Such a nice and kind lady you are. LA speaks highly of you, always. But he doesn't need condolences right now. He needs cash donations.
Contrary to what the Colonel has been telling people, he did not put money on the Saints. Now....his bookie is pressuring him for the dough.
Gunny
Cartman, how would you like to go with me to the shooting range on Saturday. I think we could really bond.
Gunny
What's with Indy fans?
http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/index?id=4900635
11 turned out at the airport?
Rocket,
Some of the roads weren't the best, but more than anything is people had to work.
If they had won, it would have been a bigger greeting party but by how much I do not know. They probably would have brought them downtown after their return to a large gathering at the stadium like last time.
Otherwise, life goes on.
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