Four years ago, Manning reached the summit by leading the Colts over Chicago in Miami to win the Super Bowl. Same stadium, same game, different result against a team that was destiny's pick - the New Orleans Saints.

Manning threw an interception that was returned 74 yards for a touchdown by Tracy Porter late in the fourth quarter to seal New Orleans' 31-17 win in Super Bowl XLIV.

The party will be rocking for the next few days in the Big Easy and Brees will be the guest of honor as his performance in Super Bowl XLIV garnered him the Most Valuable Player award.

With Mardi Gras less than 10 days away, New Orleans doesn't need any excuse for a good time, but Sunday's 31-17 win over Indianapolis and Brees' MVP award gives the city even more of an excuse and helps to further erase the memories of the 2005 Hurricane Katrina disaster that destroyed much of the city and even damaged the Superdome where the Saints play.

Drew Brees connected with Jeremy Shockey for the go-ahead two-yard touchdown pass with 5:42 left in the fourth quarter, lifting the Saints to a 31-17 win over the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV.

Tracy Porter then sealed the fate of the Colts, picking off four-time MVP Peyton Manning and returning the ball 74 yards for a touchdown with 3:12 left, thwarting Indianapolis' chance for a second title in four years.

Drew Brees has lit a fire for the Saints with a spectacular performance over the last two quarters, but he'll need to lead the team to at least one more score if New Orleans is to celebrate its first-ever Super Bowl victory.

Garrett Hartley has kicked three field goals - all over 40 yards - for the Saints. New Orleans' lone touchdown came on a 16-yard pass from Brees to Pierre Thomas.

The Colts used a Peyton Manning touchdown pass to cap a 96-yard drive in the opening quarter and then had a goal-line stand to stop the Saints in the final two minutes of the half.

Matt Stover kicked a 38-yard field goal midway through the first quarter, and Manning ended the Super Bowl's record-tying longest drive with a 19-yard scoring toss to Pierre Garcon with 36 seconds remaining in the same period.

The Colts are off to a great start in their bid for a second championship in four years. Manning, a four-time league MVP, led the Colts to the Super Bowl title over Chicago following the 2006 season in this same stadium.

He engineered Indy on a scoring drive on the team's first possession with Matt Stover kicking a 38-yard field goal. Garcon's TD grab came with 36 seconds left in the quarter.

Waters, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, is the fifth Chiefs player to win the award, the highest total of any team in the league.

"I am so appreciative of my wife, family, the National Football League, the Kansas City Chiefs and my teammates for their support," said Waters. "Most of all I am thankful to the many organizations and families that partner with the 54 Foundation. Their generosity and kindness have been a blessing to us. It is an honor to be considered for, and to win this illustrious award. I hope that I can be an encouragement to others to get involved and impact their own communities." Waters, a 10-year veteran, established the Brian Waters 54 foundation in 2004 and his foundation has awarded 82 college scholarships to low-income students. Also, his back-to-school programs h

Freeney hasn't practiced all week due to a third-degree sprain and torn ligament in his ankle. He injured his ankle in the AFC Championship Game against the New York Jets two weeks ago and has yet to take part in a full practice session.

Colts cornerback Jerraud Powers (fractured foot) is also listed as active for the contest against New Orleans.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS VS. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS, 6:25 P.M. (ET) Saints - 3rd QB Chase Daniel, TE Darnell Dinkins, RB Lynell Hamilton, TE Tory Humphrey, WR Adrian Arrington, G Jamar Nesbit, LB Anthony Waters, DE Paul Spicer Colts - K Adam Vinatieri, WR Sam Giguere, DE Ervin Baldwin, TE Colin Cloherty, DT Fili Moala, DT John Gill, G Mike Pollak, T Michael Toudouze

02/07 17:36:56 ET

Freeney has not practiced with the team since suffering an ankle injury in the AFC Championship Game against the New York Jets two weeks ago. He spent Saturday'swalkthrough ona golf cart and was officially listed as questionable on the team's injury report.

Named to the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 2000s on Sunday night, Freeney racked up 13 1/2 sacks this year in 14 games during the regular season. He was hurt trying to avoid Mark Sanchez after the Jets quarterback had just thrown a pass.

According to the Miami Herald, Sapp's girlfriend accused the former University of Miami and Tampa Bay Buccaneers star of choking her and throwing her into the couple's hotel room. The paper reported the police eventually charged Sapp with misdemeanor domestic battery, and that Sapp was taken to Miami-Dade County jail Saturday night.

The report says the TV network told the paper Sapp would be temporarily suspended while the matter is reviewed.

Joining the NFL's all-time leading receiver and leading rusher in the 2010 class, as chosen by the Hall of Fame Selection Committee, are Russ Grimm, Rickey Jackson, John Randle, Dick LeBeau and Floyd Little -- the latter two both senior nominees.

The original list of candidates consisted of 131 modern-era players and was whittled down to 25 semifinalists in November and 15 finalists in January, not including the two senior nominees. Each finalist had to receive a minimum vote of 80 percent to be elected.

Marinelli will retain his title of assistant head coach, which he held this past season while serving as the team's defensive line coach.

He was hired by Chicago after three years as the Detroit Lions' head coach, a stint that included an 0-16 campaign in 2008 -- the first time an NFL team went the entire season without a win since the league went to a 16-game format.

Freeney injured his ankle in the AFC Championship Game against the New York Jets nearly two weeks ago and has yet to take part in a full practice session.

Named to the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 2000s on Sunday night, Freeney racked up 13 1/2 sacks this year in 14 games during the regular season. He was hurt late in the fourth quarter of the AFC Championship Game, trying to avoid Mark Sanchez after the Jets quarterback had just thrown a pass.

The union on Thursday indicated that there could be a work stoppage in 2011, but Goodell is optimistic that a new collective bargaining agreement could be in place before the league goes into its 2010 season -- the final year of the current deal.

"We want an agreement and I think every owner will tell you the same thing," Goodell said. "The idea that ownership would be anxious for a work stoppage is false.

Tomlinson told the San Diego Union-Tribune that he expects to part ways with the Chargers. He has two years remaining on his contract and is due a roster bonus of $2 million on March 5.

"I'm not coming back," Tomlinson told the paper. "I don't believe I'll be back in San Diego. I've accepted it." The Chargers told the paper they have made no roster decisions for 2010.

The Hall of Famer was drafted by the Steelers with the top overall pick in 1942 and led the league in rushing that season.

He served with the Army Air Corps during World War II piloting B-25s and B-29s and returned to play with four games left in the 1945 season.

Remaining in their roles are defensive coordinator Gus Bradley and defensive line coach Dan Quinn, who were both on Jim Mora's staff.

Additionally, Jeremy Bates was named offensive coordinator.

Edwards was named the Gators' defensive coordinator on January 8, but was offered and accepted the same position on Chan Gailey's Bills staff. He had spent the last five seasons with the Dolphins as linebackers coach before taking the job at Florida.

Edwards has spent the majority of his coaching career in the NFL, as he was linebackers coach for Dallas from 1998-2001. After one year as linebackers coach with the Washington Redskins, he was named defensive coordinator in 2003, then spent the 2004 campaign with the Cleveland Browns before moving on to Miami.

The numbers I used for quarterback predictions are as follows: Drew Brees will throw for 270 yards on 23-of-35 with two touchdowns and zero interceptions, while Peyton Manning will complete 27-of-40 for 300 yards, two touchdowns and one INT.

Based on those figures and the ones used by the bookmakers, there are three wagers I have my eyes on. Go with the over in both attempts and completions for Manning even though both are favored at -125 for total attempts (37.5) and -130 for completions (25.5). Then I would take the under at +135 on how many picks Brees will throw. The line is set at 0.5.

Freeney was hurt in the AFC Championship Game against the New York Jets and has yet to practice this week. He has continually received treatment and said the ankle is getting better every day.

"It's starting to feel a little bit better," said Freeney on Thursday. "It's still a little sore, but that's the nature of how bad the injury was, but it's making progress." Freeney said the swelling was "softball size" initially, but has gone down considerably.

Van Pelt spent the past four seasons with the Bills, the first three as quarterbacks coach. He was promoted to offensive coordinator last September. Buffalo finished 30th out of 32 teams in total offense in 2009.

The Bucs also named Eric Yarber wide receivers coach and Tim Holt offensive assistant coach.

Baggs spent his last four seasons in the Canadian Football League, including the past two with Saskatchewan as a defensive end. Last year he tied for the league lead in sacks with 12 while totaling 55 tackles and four forced fumbles.

The Bethune-Cookman product also played for Winnipeg (2006-07) and Edmonton (2007).

Jauron, 59, replaces Brian Stewart, who left to become the defensive coordinator for the University of Houston.

Over three-plus seasons as the head coach for Buffalo, Jauron had a record of 24-33.

Wednesday morning, Freeney had the ankle elevated and said the injury, which he suffered in the AFC Championship Game, is day-to-day. He added that it was hard to put a definitive percentage on how it's healing, but said the swelling had gone down a lot.

Freeney also said it's hard to project how he'll feel during the weekend, and compared his current situation to past injuries.