Colts lead 10-6 against Saints after the first half

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Super Bowl XLIV breakdown: Quarters 1-2

FIRST QUARTER

The focus was on Dwight Freeney all week long. But in the opening quarter, it was teammate Peyton Manning commanding all of the attention.

Manning engineered a pair of first-quarter scores – the second an 11-play, 96-yard drive that ended with a 19-yard touchdown reception by Pierre Garcon(notes) to give the Colts a 10-0 lead.

SCORE: Colts 10, Saints 0

Key play: Marques Colston lost his concentration at the wrong time. On second-and-7 from the 50-yard line, Drew Brees found Colston for what should have been a first down. Instead, the ball went through Colston’s hands, hitting him right in the helmet. Another incompletion led to a punt, which resulted in the Colts’ touchdown.

Key injury: Freeney was regularly on the field, but seemingly had no impact as Brees had time to look for his targets.

Key stat: Total yards (Colts 154, Saints 36).

SECOND QUARTER

After two non-productive first-quarter possessions, Drew Brees and the Saints found rhythm in the second. Unfortunately for New Orleans though, the increased offense led to a pair of field goals.

New Orleans got on the scoreboard with a 46-yard field goal by Garrett Hartley with 9:34. However, a later drive into the red zone ended with no points.

SCORE: Colts 10, Saints 6

Key play: After Mike Bell slips down on 3rd-and-goal from the one, Sean Payton opts to go for it instead of kicking the sure field goal. On fourth-and-goal from the 1, Brees hands off to Bell, who is stood up by Gary Brackett and dropped for no gain. Colts get the ball at their own 1 with 1:49 to go.

Health watch: Freeney made his presence felt, sacking Brees on third down with 10:09 left in the quarter.

Key stat: Total yards (Saints 143, Colts 15).

From YahooSports