Indianapolis Colts Super Bowl Memories: Super Bowl 44

We took a look back at the fond memories of Super Bowl 41 ahead of this year’s Super Bowl in a couple of weeks. Now it’s time to take a look back at a more disappointing memory from Super Bowl 44.

The Colts beat the Ravens and the Jets on their way to their second Super Bowl in four years, and Indianapolis was favored to beat the Saints in Super Bowl 44.

The Colts hopped out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter as it became clear that their prior Super Bowl experience gave them an early edge. But the Saints shut them out in the second quarter, and Drew Brees led them on two field goal drives to make it a 10-6 game at halftime.

Then Sean Payton made one of the gutsiest calls in NFL history as New Orleans came out of halftime with an onside kick. The Saints recovered the onside kick and capped off a six-play drive with a touchdowns as they took their first lead of the game.

The Colts answered with a touchdown drive of their own before the Saints ended the third quarter with a field goal making the score 17-16 heading into the fourth. The Saints scored a touchdown with 5:42 left in the game to take the lead, and Tracy Porter took an interception to the house to seal a victory for New Orleans.

Peyton Manning threw for 333 yards with a touchdown, but that late-game pick-six ended up costing the Colts their second Vince Lombardi trophy. Unfortunately, the Colts haven’t been back to the Super Bowl, but Josh McDaniels will be looking to change that as the new head coach in Indianapolis.

Next: Top 5 Peyton Manning Moments with the Indianapolis Colts