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The New Orleans Saints overcame a 10-point deficit, pulled off a risky onside kick and won their first title by beating the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 on Sunday

New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees equaled a Super Bowl record for completions and was voted the game’s most valuable player, while the Saints held his Indianapolis counterpart Peyton Manning to a single score in the final three quarters, intercepting him for a touchdown that sealed the victory.

From the trophy podium on the field, Brees blew kisses and caught confetti as New Orleans musicians Dr. John and Prof.Longhair blared from the stadium speakers. Coach Sean Payton hung over the railing, clapping and shouting down to the crowd as if he were rolling on a Mardi Gras float, then waved a newspaper with the banner headline “WORLD CHAMPS.”

“Four years ago, who ever thought this would be happening when 85 percent of the city was under water?” Brees said. “Most people left not knowing if New Orleans would ever come back, or if the organization would ever come back. We just all looked at one another and said, ‘We are going to rebuild together. We are going to lean on each other.’ This is the culmination in all that belief.”

The Saints weren’t thrilled to fall behind 10-0. Manning directed an early 96-yard touchdown drive that tied a Super Bowl record, and when New Orleans managed only one first down on its first two possessions, a blowout seemed possible.

Instead, the Saints mounted a comeback to match the largest in Super Bowl history, and an onside kick turned the tide. The last chord of “Won’t Get Fooled Again” from The Who’s halftime show had barely faded when the Colts got fooled.

The Saints’ Chris Reis emerged from a huge scrum with the ball, and six plays later Brees’ 16-yard strike to Pierre Thomas gave them a 13-10 lead.

Manning and the Colts answered with a 76-yard touchdown drive, so the Saints had to rally again. Brees threw for another score, a two-yarder to Jeremy Shockey, and this time they were ahead to stay, 24-17.

With barely three minutes left, the Colts’ last chance was for Manning to make an open-field tackle, and that wasn’t going to happen. Tracy Porter returned an interception 74 yards for the clinching score, with Manning spinning awkwardly to the turf at midfield in his vain attempt to stop the score.

Manning finished 31 for 45 for 333 yards, but Indianapolis scored on only one of its final six possessions against a Saints defense that ranked 25th in the regular season. Brees, meanwhile, finished 32 for 39 for 288 yards and two touchdowns.

Four-time NFL MVP Manning used the word “disappointing” at least 10 times in his postgame interview, but the New Orleans native could appreciate what the result meant to Louisiana.

“I certainly know how it was three years ago when we won,” Manning said. “I know the people of New Orleans and the Saints have that same feeling right now.” 

AP