Hell froze over and the brash and bold Saints became the world's best football team on Sunday night with a 31-17 Super Bowl victory over the favored Indianapolis Colts and one of New Orleans favorite sons, Peyton Manning, in South Florida's Sun Life Stadium.

Concluding a season that has lifted the spirit of the New Orleans area on the rebound, the Saints ignored little attention from the national media, and because of a calculated quarterback Super Bowl’s  MVP Drew Brees, a risk-taking coach and a team's faith that didn't waiver.

Cornerback Tracy Porter returned a Manning interception 74-yards for a clinching touchdown. Mardi Gras began in the French Quarter and the predominately New Orleans crowd of 74,059 in Sun Life Stadium celebrated long and hard amidst a burst of black and gold confetti.

"I think it boiled to one play," said Colts coach Jim Caldwell.

"Porter made a great play," said Manning. "It's really disappointing. I'm sorry for our fans that we weren't able to get it done."

"We thought we were the better team going in," said Saints coach Sean Payton.

Behind the brilliance of Brees, who completed 29 of 32 passes in the final three quarters (one was a spike and one was a drop), the Saints were afforded some select, calculated opportunities to take major risks.

The Saints opened the second half with an onside kick that restored hope and produced a level of momentum that had been previously one-sided. Down by four points, rookie linebacker Jonathan Casillas claimed the ball on a quick kick by Thomas Morstead.

That recovery was one of the turning points in the game. "We practiced that the week before the game," said Payton. "At halftime I said let's do it."

"Drew Brees was magnificent." said Payton. "He prepared outstanding. He handled a lot of the offense at the line of scrimmage. When you look at his locations tonight, I thought he was fantastic."

This was a game that was Manning's to win. But after throwing 14 passes in the first  quarter he didn't have the opportunity to continue carving the Saints' secondary. As a result, the Saints' ability to control the clock changed the game's complexion. No longer were the Colts unstoppable.

"Time of possession was going to be important," said Payton. "We were trying to create an additional series as the clock was winding down. We wanted to minimize Manning's snaps and we were able to do that to some degree.

By the fourth quarter, this wasn't Manning's game.  It belonged to Brees.  It belonged to a quarterback who put his team on his shoulders and carried them to a Super Bowl victory.

"This is part of the rebuilding process," said Reggie Bush. "I believe that God knew the score of the game before it ended. The city needed this."

The Saints played in the Super Bowl for the first time in their 43-yer history. They were playing for "Who Dat Nation," a community that had been torn asunder by a hurricane in 2005 and brought back together to some extent by the healing spirit engendered by their efforts.

Manning was 31 of 45 for 333 yards and a touchdown with the one interception, but the onside kick did them in.

The Saints turned a corner thus season. There was nothing back door about their performance, they marched right through the front door before a world-wide audience.

With this win, the Saints will continue to inspire the city and boost it's spirit. No doubt, this party isn't going to end until after Mardi Gras.

There is a parade to honor the Super Bowl champs on Tuesday night.

These aren't your daddy's Saints anymore.

Mark Cannizzaro, New York Post: "Who dat say gonna beat dem Saints?

"Not the Colts

"The Saints, erasing 43 years littered with far more futility and calamity than success, basked in the most glorious moment in franchise history last night with their 31-17 Super Bowl XLIV victory over the favored Colts at Sun Life Stadium.

"Cut up the 'When The Saints Go Marching In." Mardi Gras just began two weeks early on Bourbon Street -- and the party might not stop until next year. There isn't enough Hurricane mix at Pat O'Brien's to handle the crush.

"Mark this day as the greatest day in New Orleans sports history and there's not even a distant second on the list."