Super Bowl moment No. 26: Sean Payton's onside kick gamble
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}MIAMI GARDENS, FL - FEBRUARY 07: Thomas Morstead #6 of the New Orleans Saints kicks an onside kick against of the Indianapolis Colts during Super Bowl XLIV on February 7, 2010 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Thomas Morstead MIAMI GARDENS, FL - FEBRUARY 07: Chris Reis #39 and Roman Harper #41 of the New Orleans Saints fight for the ball with Cody Glenn and Hank Baskett of the Indianapolis Colts after a onside kick to start the second half with during Super Bowl XLIV on February 7, 2010 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Chris Reis;Roman Harper;Cody Glenn;Hank Baskett MIAMI GARDENS, FL - FEBRUARY 07: Referee Scott Green signals after the New Orleans Saints recover an onside kick against the Indianapolis Colts during Super Bowl XLIV on February 7, 2010 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Scott Green
As we count down to Super Bowl 50 in Santa Clara, it's time to look back on the magical and memorable moments in the 49 previous Super Bowls. FOX Sports senior NFL writer Alex Marvez has ranked the 50 greatest moments in the big game's big history, and every weekday from now until Feb. 7 we'll unveil the latest addition to our countdown. Today, we look back at moment No. 26, when the Saints pulled off a stunner to start the second half.
New Orleans might not have beaten Indianapolis without the most celebrated onside kick in Super Bowl history.
Trailing by four points at halftime, Saints head coach Sean Payton rolled the dice to open the third quarter.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The grounder booted by kickoff specialist Thomas Morstead bounced off the chest of Colts wide receiver Hank Baskett and was recovered by Saints reserve wideout Chris Reis.
Not only did New Orleans drive for a go-ahead touchdown, the play helped New Orleans continue to wear down Indianapolis' defense and strand quarterback Peyton Manning on the bench by enjoying an 18:55 to 2:34 time of possession from since the start of the second quarter to that point.
Here are highlights from Super Bowl XLIV.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Final score: New Orleans 31, Indianapolis 17.