Largest Viewing Audience Ever To Watch "The Who"

#5 > New Orleans Saints 31, Indianapolis Colts 17 Feb. 7

Super Bowl XLIV was the most watched program in television history. (Yes, something finally surpassed the series finale of M*A*S*H back in 1983.) And it really was a game worth watching.

At this point, the Department of Full Disclosure here at Outside The Arc mandates that we let you know that we were cheering for Indy at our house. My wife and I have been Peyton Manning fans since his days at the University of Tennessee and would like to have seen him get his second ring. But Drew Brees is a pretty good guy himself and he led his team admirably throughout the game.

When the Colts got out to a 10-0 lead, it looked like this could be another Super Bowl blowout. Then the Indianapolis offense went silent and two Saints’ field goals kept the game close with a 10-6 halftime score.

Surely the Colts could get things going when they would receive the ball to start the second half, but that kickoff proved to be the turning point in the game. Coach Sean Payton’s decision to attempt an onside kick was gutsy and ultimately successful. And the Saints capitalized on this big play with a six play touchdown drive that gave New Orleans its first lead.

Indianapolis regained the lead on the next possession and held on to it, going into the fourth quarter up 17-16. The Saints went back on top for good on Brees’ second TD pass, capped off with an amazing catch by Lance Moore to complete the two-point conversion. A 74-yard interception return for a touchdown by Larry Porter sealed the deal for the Saints, who captured the first Super Bowl victory in team history.