Jim Lang

Jim Lang can be seen anchoring Connected on the weekends with Evanka Osmak and is the senior NFL reporter for sportsnet and sportsnet.ca. Jim is also a regular contributor to sportsnet.ca. For more you check out Jim's website, www.jimlang.ca

Saints fans party it up in the stands.

Well. It's finally game time. After a week of hype, interviews, putting stories together, parties and team bonding meals; it's time for the Colts and the Saints to actually play Super Bowl 44.

Much like the scene in South Beach on Saturday, Sun Life stadium was awash in a sea of Black and Gold as the Who Dat? Nation is attempting to will their beloved football team to victory.

I made my way up to the auxilary press box. Section 451, row 27, seat 16. Four rows from the top of Sun Life stadium; right in the heart of Colts country. The majority of Saints fans were sitting in other sections scattered throughout the stadiuim.

It never ceases to amaze me the palpable excitement in the air as the two teams take to the field for the pre-game warm up. Even more exciting was the sight of 74,000 flash bulbs going off at once as the Colts kicked off to the Saints to start the game.

Dwight Freeney manned up, taped up his ripped up ankle, and played a decent game. But in the end, this game was not about Freeney, it was about Drew Brees out-playing Peyton Manning.

After Manning and the Colts dominated the first quarter; it was Brees and the Saints in the second quarter. In fact, Brees and the Saints outgained the Colts 143 yards to 15 in the second quarter.

Maybe it's because I am a rock and roller at heart, but I didn't mind the Who's half time show. They might be old, but they stilled rocked. In the stadium the lasers and light show was spectacular.

Now to start the third quarter, Sean Payton made one of the gutsiest coaching calls I have ever seen. Near the end of the second quarter, he decided to go for it on a fourth and one and got stuffed by Gary Brackett and the Colts defence. To begin the third quarter, Payton decided to go for an onside kick. If he fails, Peyton Manning would have amazing field position and the Colts would be in position to run away with it. Instead, the Saints recovered and marched down the field to score their first touchdown of the game.

To his credit, Manning recovered and led the Colts down the field and Joseph Addai scored the go ahead touchdown. So the Colts were back in the lead and we had ourselves a football game. Or should I say, the Saints had a football game. Despite the fact the mighty Colts had just taken a 17-13 lead; the Saints were just getting started.

It all started early in the third quarter when Manning tried to hit Austin Collie on a pass over the middle. Linebacker Jonathan VIlma made an incredible play to knock the ball down forcing the Colts to go for a 51-yard field goal. Matt Stover shanked it wide left and the Saints had great field position.

Drew Brees worked his magic and hit Jeremy Shockey for a two yard go ahead touchdown. The Saints never looked back. A frustrated Manning made a bad throw to Reggie Wayne. Tracy Porter stepped in front of the pass and ran it back 74 yards for the pick six. In a stadium filled mostly with Saints fans, the noise was beyond comprehension.

After the game me, Brian and Cory ran onto the field for the post game free for all. I was able to grab one on one's with Darren Sharper, Malcolm Jenkins and Marques Colston. When I mentioned to Colston that for the rest of his life he will always be called "a Super Bowl Champion". He got a little choked and had to compose himself.

Thousands of Saints fans refused to leave the stadium and were chanting Who Dat? until they nearly lost their voice.

A video monitor in the press tent showed the party scene on Bourbon Street. Considering the city of New Orleans was almost written off five years ago and considering the Saints were such a bad team for so long; the party in the Crescent City may never end.

Every Super Bowl I have covered always has a special meaning to me. This one will rank right near the top because of the raw emotion of the players and the fans after the win.

Who Dat? baby. Who Dat?

I can't wait to cover Super Bowl 45 next year in Dallas.