The game features the Saints’ first Super Bowl appearance since their foundation in 1967, while it is the fourth time a Colts franchise team has appeared, since their foundation in 1953 as the Baltimore Colts. The Saints enter the game with a 13-3 record for the 2009 regular season, compared to the Colts 14-2 record. In the playoff games, both teams had a 1st round bye. The Colts entered the Super Bowl off of 20-3 and 30-17 victories, while the Saints advanced with scores of 45-14 and 31-28 (in overtime), defeating last years’ runners up the Arizona Cardinals in their first game. Head coach for the Saints is Sean Payton having joined from the Dallas Cowboys in 2006, while his opposing head coach Jim Caldwell was appointed the Colts head coach in 2009 having joined them in 2002 as assistant head coach. In Peyton Manning, the Colts have a veteran quarterback who is widely regarded as one of the best of all time.
Super Bowl XLIV (44)