A picture says 1000 words (Photo: Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images via ESPN.com)

The New Orleans Saints shocked the world and defeated the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 to win Super Bowl XLIV, and bring the Lombardi Trophy home to the city of New Orleans.

Trailing 10-0 at the end of the 1st quarter, head coach Sean Payton made a series of gutsy calls – including a failed 4th and goal attempt in the 2nd quarter and successful onside kick to start the 2nd half – that helped the Saints chip away at the lead and put themselves in a position to win.

Drew Brees went 32-39 for 288 yards, with two touchdowns and no interceptions to collect the MVP award, and the Saints defense came up big when it mattered to preserve the lead.  The game winning-play came when Tracy Porter picked off Peyton Manning and brought it 74 yards to the house with 3:12 remaining.

WATCH VIDEO OF PORTER’S INTERCEPTION AFTER THE JUMP

Porter also picked off Brett Favre to seal the NFC Championship game two weeks ago (video here).  And for Manning, who is already regarded by many as the best QB of all time, it is a legacy-defining play.

Full Super Bowl XLIV highlights from NFL.com here

Congratulations to the Saints … and good for the city of New Orleans.

Garrett Hartley kicks a 40-yard, game-winning FG in overtime of the NFC Championship(Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images via ESPN.com)

The New Orleans Saints eked out a 31-28 OT victory over the Minnesota Vikings for the NFC Championship in a thriller tonight.  It was a back and forth contest, with both offenses taking shots at one another, until time finally ran out for one of them.  But in the end, it came down to turnovers – Minnesota had 5, New Orleans just 1.  Time and time again, despite moving the ball almost at will, the Vikings put the ball on the ground and threw away scoring opportunities when it mattered most.

At the end of regulation, with the ball in Saints territory, the Vikings needed only to run the clock out and attempt a last-second (albeit long), game-winning FG.  Instead, on 3rd down, Brett Favre was intercepted by Tracy Porter on and ill-advised pass, saving the game for New Orleans.

CONTINUE AFTER THE JUMP FOR VIDEO OF PORTER’S INT

Give credit to the Saints defense, who pressured Favre all day, and were opportunistic in creating turnovers for themselves … but this one will haunt Favre for a long, long time.

Listen to the Vikings Radio call of the play, which is  about as satisfying as you might expect.