The New Orleans Saints beat the Minnesota Vikings 41–38 in overtime, to win the NFC Championship game. In the AFC, the Indianapolis Colts overcame an 11-point deficit to eliminate the New York Jets, 30–17. The Saints and the Colts will now meet in Miami for Super Bowl XLIV.
The Colts will return to the Super Bowl for the second time in four years, this time with rookie head coach Jim Caldwell at the helm. Caldwell was handpicked by Tony Dungy to be his successor after his retirement one year ago. Now Caldwell will be aiming to become the third African-American head coach to win a Super Bowl in the past four years.
“His influence is profound on me,” Caldwell said about Dungy. “Most of the things that we do are things that were done under his guidance. We’ve made a few subtle changes here and there, but basically, we’ve kind of built upon what he established.”
Caldwell drew heavy criticism when he pulled his starters from a regular season game against the Jets to spoil an undefeated season bid for the Colts. That loss allowed the Jets to get into the playoffs and then advance to the AFC Championship game. But three touchdown passes by four-time MVP Peyton Manning put an end to the Jets run.
In a stadium that once housed the victims of Hurricane Katrina and where some even died, the Louisiana Superdome was a house of celebration after the Saints win over the Minnesota Vikings. Revelers celebrated in the French Quarter as the Saints made it to the Super Bowl for the first time in the team’s history.
“Four years ago, there were holes in this roof,” said Saints head coach Sean Payton. “The fans in this city and this region deserve it. Like I said before, I’m just proud to be a part of it, to be part of something that is so special for this city and well deserved.” –lenn durant
