Surprise! New Orleans Saints Win the Super Bowl

Congratulations to the New Orleans Saints who upset the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 yesterday in the Super Bowl, witnessed by more than 106 million people, making it the most watched TV event in history. I think the only people who weren’t surprised by the Saints’ victory were New Orleans fans.

There are several lessons we can learn after watching the Saints victory against the Colts

Never underestimate the underdog. Outside the city of New Orleans, few people gave the Saints much of a chance to win the Super Bowl. The Colts had more playoff experience, more talent and a higher profile quarterback in Peyton Manning. The Saints were five-point underdogs, but won the game 31-17 after allowing the Colts to score the first 10 points of the game. Then the Saints offense took over, controlling the ball and the game clock from the second quarter on. Proof once again that championships are not won on paper; they’re won on the field.

Be willing to take chances. Sean Payton’s call for an onside kick to start the second half was a gutsy one. It could easily have backfired had the Colts recovered it cleanly in Saints territory. But the ball bounced off a Colts’ player and was recovered by the Saints, who went on to score a touchdown to take the lead. The play caught the Colts off guard, and they never quite recovered the rest of the game.

Expect the unexpected. How many times have we seen Peyton Manning get picked off with the game on the line? Manning is one of the most consistent quarterbacks in the league. You simply do not expect him to make many mistakes in a big game like the Super Bowl. But after cornerback Tracy Porter intercepted Peyton’s pass and ran 74 yards for a clinching touchdown with less than four minutes left to play, that sealed the Colts’ fate.

Savor your victories and share them with loved ones. During the on-field celebration, a teary-eyed Drew Brees took in the moment with his infant son in his arms. It was perhaps the most touching scene of the day.

Mannings Defend Bears' QB

"He can't win the Big Game."

"He always chokes when the game matters."

"He's great during the regular season, but can't win in the playoffs."

No, these comments aren't about Bears' QB Rex Grossman, although they could be. They're actually referring to Colts' QB Peyton Manning, who until this postseason, had received his own share of criticism about his (in)ability to lead his team to the Super Bowl. It's no wonder that both he and his father Archie have defended the much-maligned Grossman these past few days. Manning has been in his shoes.

Manning finally beat his nemesis, the New England Patriots, several weeks ago to reach the promised land in Miami. It only took him nine years in the NFL. Manning is 30 years old.

Grossman has a long way to go, but at age 26, he has already achieved something that Manning could only dream of at the same age -- playing in the Super Bowl. Contrary to many naysayers, Grossman has won a Big Game -- the NFC title game over the Saints two weeks ago, which the Bears won 39-14.

Yes, the Bears QB played horribly in front of 93 million TV viewers. But being the eternal optimist that I am, my guess is that he will learn from this experience and become a better quarterback in the long run, even if it means meeting with a sports psychologist to get there.