With the Superbowl coming up this Sunday, it was time to dig out Pizza Box Football for my annual predict the score using the team sheets produced specifically for this game by On The Line Games. So, here’s a quick summary of what you can expect to happen in Superbowl XLIV.
The first quarter started slowly with both teams unable to make significant ground and trading punts. The Saints were first on the scoreboard with a 44 yard field goal but the Colts replied on the following drive with a field goal of their own. As time ticked down on the first quarter, New Orleans took the ball down to the opposition’s 16 yard line but the next play saw a completed 14 yard pass fumbled. Luckily for the Saints, they recovered it and ran the ball in next play.
On the Saints’ next possession, they again drove down the field but quarterback, Drew Brees, saw a pass intercepted in the end zone and, after a couple of traded punts, Peyton Manning completed a 50 yard touchdown pass to tie the scores. With just over 2 minutes left in the half, New Orleans capped a 13 play drive with a second converted touchdown to end the half ahead 17-10.
In the third quarter, the Saints were more than ready to use their rushing game to run down the clock and successfully converted two more touchdowns, with Indianapolis struggling to get their offense to click. However, Manning wasn’t ready to throw in the towel yet and the Colts took it into the End Zone on the final play of the quarter (31-17).
New Orleans continued to concentrate on the running game in the fourth quarter but neither team were able to make much progress. However, with just over five minutes left on the clock, a blocked punt from Indianapolis gave the Saints the ball on their opponents’ 5 yard line. Three rushing attempts later saw a fifth touchdown for the Saints and one hand on the trophy. Manning and the Colts knew they had to take risks and their next drive left them with a fourth and goal attempt, which resulted in a completed pass held up by the Saints defence one yard shy of a touchdown. So it was all over, the Saints ran down the clock and registered their first ever Superbowl win with a score of 38-17.