I didn't have a horse in the race. I was just hoping for a great game. It was a slow start but a great finish. I liked both teams equally coming in. I was cheering for whomever had the ball until one play. When former UW Badger Jonathon Casillas came away from a rugby scrum with the ball. Then I had something to cheer about. Once a Badger, always a Badger. I then watched two Big Ten players (Brees and Porter) decide the outcome. A couple observations.
1. I don't think anyone lost the game. I think the Saints won the game.
2. Great play calling. Payton out coached Caldwell. Better adjustments through out the game. Onside kick is gutsy (remember McCarthy did it to bring the Pack back in the first playoff game).
3. Tear jerking moment with Brees and his son. Real emotion at the height of his career. As an aside, Drew Brees is incredible for taking that city on his back. In a sports world full of Tiger Woods, Warren Sapp, Plaxico Burress and Terrell Owen, his story is one that should be highlighted.
4. Peyton Manning is great. I know he lost, but he is great. I have disliked him for his entire career. This is the first year I tried to get on top of it. I sat in a room last night with a couple Packer fans, and a smattering of other fans. No one liked Peyton Manning. He is that kid on the school yard when you were 12 years old that always beat you. He looks like he is whining half the time, he looks like he never takes blame. I need to concede I thought this as well. I came around this year to the pure brilliance of his QB play. I found myself hurting for him after that pick. He plays a perfect season (not game, but season) and will be remembered for that pick.
5. Commercials were sub par. They were formulaic. We have come to expect laugh out loud moments, and there were only a few.
6. Indy will be back in the game next year.
7. They will be playing the Packers, and we will win.
Anyone have other observations? Would love to hear an Indy view. It's hard to hate the Saints, but also know fandom, so I'm sure you could find something to root against.
