Turning Point

What was the turning point of Super Bowl XLIV?

Was it the successful onside kick New Orleans executed at the beginning of the second half? Not in my opinion.

Was it the 73-yard touchdown interception by New Orleans’ Tracy Porter that sealed the victory? Nope.

Was it the missed field goal by Matt Stover of the Colts at the beginning of the fourth quarter when his team was leading 17-16? Not by a wide margin.

Was it the failure of the Colts to gain a first down at the end of the first half, thus giving the Saints another chance to kick a field goal, which they did? Close, but no cigar.

The turning point, in my humble analysis, came in the second quarter, with Indianapolis ahead 10-3 and seemingly driving at will through the Saints defense. They had scored the first two times they possessed the ball. On their third drive, their first in the second quarter, the Colts faced a third down and four yards to go from their 28-yard line. Peyton Manning arched a perfect pass to Pierre Garcon, hitting him in stride as he diagonally crossed the field at the Colts 45-yard line.

“If he catches this it’s a footrace around the corner,” said CBS analyst Phil Simms, meaning that it could have been another score for Indianapolis, or at least a sizable gain. “If he catches.” “Could have been.” Phrases that convey a missed opportunity, for Garcon, the Haitian hero of the AFC title game two weeks earlier, dropped the ball.

“That’s a momentum changer, perhaps,” said announcer Jim Nantz, as prescient a call as any I’ve heard.

The Colts were forced to punt, and though the Saints at first failed to score despite getting down to the Colts 1-yard line (they eventually kicked a field goal to end the first half down 10-6), the game’s momentum indeed had shifted. In the second half, the Saints had the ball four times, producing two touchdowns and field goal. The Colts had the ball four times. They scored one touchdown, but also gave up Porter’s TD interception.

From my turning point in the game, The Saints outscored the Colts 28-7.