Five Hidden Plays in Super Bowl XLIV

In the aftermath of the Saints' 31-17 upset win over the Colts in Super Bowl XLIV, pundits across the sports world focused on the same key plays: New Orleans' successful onside kick to open the second half (aka Sean Payton Has Huge Cojones) and Tracy Porter's 74-yard interception return for a touchdown that all but sealed the win.

But those plays wouldn't have been possible without a handful of plays overlooked by sportscasters that changed the tenor of the game. Let's run them down in order.

1. 8:20 LEFT IN SECOND QUARTER, COLTS 10, SAINTS 3. Though the Saints trailed by only seven, their defense had yet to stop Peyton Manning and was badly in need of a three-and-out. On third-and-4 at the Colts' 28, Manning stepped up in the pocket and found a wide-open Pierre Garcon over the middle. Garcon was a step ahead of his man and had a chance to turn the corner and race all the way to the end zone.

Only he dropped the ball. Manning's pass went through Garcon's hands, bounced off his chest, and fell harmlessly to the grass. The Colts were forced to punt, and the Saints were able to keep the momentum on their side.

The play also marked the first appearance of the Peyton Manning Face. Manning's scowl didn't go away, either -- the Colts did not get another first down in the half.

2. 0:51 LEFT IN SECOND QUARTER, COLTS 10, SAINTS 3. Indy's D had just seized the momentum back with an inspired goal-line stand, and the Colts were in position to run out the clock and end the first half up a touchdown. All they needed was one first down.

Facing a third-and-1 at their own 10, the Colts eschewed the quick pass and played it safe. The plan backfired, as running back Mike Hart was stuffed for no gain. Instead of a fresh set of downs and smooth sailing to halftime, the Colts had to punt from the shadow of their goal posts.

3. 0:29 LEFT IN SECOND QUARTER, COLTS 10, SAINTS 3. Sometimes the best plays don't gain a single yard. With one timeout and 30 seconds left, Saints' quarterback Drew Brees found Devery Henderson over the middle for 19 yards and a first down at the Indy 33.

FREEZE

(OK, so you're Drew Brees. The play just ended, and the clock is ticking down. You have one timeout, and you want to save it so you can throw over the middle one more time. But if it takes 20 seconds to get your offense up to the line and spike the ball, you won't have enough time to run another play.)

Brees herded the offense to the line and spiked the ball in just nine seconds. CBS color guy Phil Simms (Giants shoutout!) was left speechless after arguing New Orleans should burn its final timeout.

Because of Brees' heads-up play, the Saints were able to throw over the middle again, picking up a valuable six yards for kicker Garrett Hartley. If Brees dawdles for a few extra seconds, it might have been 10-3 Colts at the half instead of 10-6.

And speaking of Giants quarterbacks, Eli Manning was at the game cheering on his brother. Considering his atrocious clock management skills, I hope Eli was taking notes.

4. 11:00 LEFT IN FOURTH QUARTER, COLTS 17, SAINTS 16. Clinging to a one-point lead, Manning drove the Colts to the edge of field-goal range. On second-and-8 at the Saints' 30, Manning tried a wide receiver screen to Austin Collie. The Indy blockers pancaked all the Saints in the area -- except rookie cornerback Malcolm Jenkins. Jenkins jumped the play and nailed Collie for a three-yard loss, pushing the Colts further away from Matt Stover's comfort zone. After an incompletion on third down, the Colts' 42-year old kicker gamely tried a field goal from 51 yards out. But the kick sailed left, and the score stayed 17-16. Stover's field goal would've been good from 40-45 yards -- the length it would have been if Jenkins doesn't make that tackle.

5. 1:30 LEFT IN FOURTH QUARTER, SAINTS 31, COLTS 17. After Porter's game-changing pick-six, Manning drove the Colts to the Saints' 3 in a desperate comeback bid. On first-and-goal, Manning held the ball for five, six, seven seconds looking for a open receiver in the end zone. But the Saints had everyone covered, and Manning forced a throw to Garcon in the back right corner of the end zone. New Orleans cornerback Jabari Greer stepped in front of the throw, and Garcon had to pull Greer down from behind to avoid an interception.

The ensuing offensive pass interference call pushed Indy back 10 yards. The penalty cost the Colts valuable time, and four downs later, it had cost them their last chance to rally.

Without those five plays, it might have been Colts 31, Saints 17 instead of the other way around. (Incidentally, Colts 31-17 was actually my prediction. Whoops.)

Kudos to the Saints and the city of New Orleans. Bourbon Street never looked so festive.