The New Orleans Saints are heading to their first Super Bowl trip in franchise history after winning a close game in overtime against the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Championship game.  The Saints’ 23-year-old kicker Garrett Hartley hit a 40-yard field goal in overtime to send the Saints to the Super Bowl.  The Saints offense had a solid game, but the defense had more to do with this win than their potent offense.  Although they gave up a ton of yards (475 total yards), they forced 6 fumbles (recovering 3 of them) and picked off quarterback Brett Favre twice.  One of those interceptions could not have come at a bigger moment in the game.  After the Vikings were pushed out of field goal range with under a minute to play in regulation, the Vikings needed to make a play to get themselves back into their kicker’s range.  Brett Favre rolled out to his right, and tried to throw across his body to the middle of the field, when Tracy Porter easily jumped in front of it and picked it off.  This ended the Vikings chances at winning in regulation and sent the game into overtime.  The Saints one the toss and Drew Brees got the Saints into field goal range and the rest was history.

Drew Brees and the Saints offense didn’t total very many yards, only getting 257 total yards.  What they did do well is manage the game and take care of the ball.  The Saints only had 1 turnover, as compared to the Vikings 5, so it didn’t matter that the Vikings had over 200 yards more than them on offense.  Reggie Bush did not have the game he had last week, and was not effective running the ball (8 yards on 7 carries).  He did catch 2 passes for 33 yards, including a touchdown so he still made an impact.  Pierre Thomas ran the ball well, rushing for 61 yards and 1 touchdown on 14 carries.  This was a huge win for the Saints and probably the most important win in franchise history.  Now they have to worry about Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts, who they will square off against in the Super Bowl on February 7th in Miami.

30-year old QB Drew Brees really had the Saints’ offense humming this season.  He played in 15 games for the Saints this season and he completed 363 of 514 passes (70.6%) for 4,388 yards with 34 TD passes and 11 INTs (109.6 QB Rating).  Brees also carried the ball 22 times for 33 yards (1.5 ypc) with 2 TD runs.  He has now played in 122 games in his NFL career and he has completed 2,697 of 4,164 passes (64.8%) for 30,646 yards with 202 TD passes and 110 INTs (91.9 QB Rating).  Brees has also carried the ball 244 times for 482 yards (2.0 ypc) with 7 TD runs.  The Saints really need to protect Brees in the playoffs or they will have no chance of winning the Super Bowl because the Saints don’t have much depth at QB.

39-year old lefty Mark Brunell looks like he’s shot.  He played in all 16 games (he was the holder on kicks) this season for the Saints and he completed 15 of 30 passes (50%) for 102 yards with 0 TD passes and 1 INT (44.0 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 4 times for -12 yards (-3.0 ypc) this year.  Brunell has now played in 173 games in his NFL career and he has completed 2,753 of 4,624 passes (59.5%) for 31,928 yards with 182 TD passes and 107 INTs (83.9 QB Rating).  He has also carried the ball 513 times for 2,421 yards (4.7 ypc) with 15 TD runs in his career. 

26-year old WR Marques Colston just needed to get back healthy to get his role back as the #1 WR on the Saints and he is having a great year.  Colston has played in 14 games for the Saints this season and he has 61 catches for 994 yards (16.3 avg) with 9 TD grabs this year.  Colston is the complete package as he blends size, speed and an outstanding set of hands and that is why he is Drew Brees’ favorite target in the passing game.

27-year old linebacker Jonathan Vilma has been a tackling machine for the Saints this season.  He has played in 14 games for the Saints this season and he has 104 tackles, 8 tackles for a loss, 8 passes defensed, 2 sacks and 3 interceptions.  Vilma has done a great job for the Saints and he will be the player the Saints continue to build their defense around.

The Saints are putting their faith in 23-year old kicker Garrett Hartley after the release of John Carney.  Hartley has played in 3 games for the Saints this season and he has connected on 7 of 8 field goals (87.5%) and 7 of 8 extra points this season good for 28 points.  He has now played in 11 games in parts of two years for the Saints and he has made 20 of 21 field goals (95.2%) and 35 of 36 extra points good for 95 points.  Hartley is a good kicker so he will likely reward the Saints’ faith in him the rest of the year.