Coming off a gut-wrenching 48-46 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, the New Orleans Saints (11-3) were offered a great chance to once again vie for a top-two spot in the NFC when the same 49ers (11-3) lost to the Atlanta Falcons (5-10) on Sunday.
To keep said hopes of a first-round bye in the playoffs alive, the Saints would have to defeat the Indianapolis Colts (6-7) who came to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome desperate to keep their faint playoffs hopes alive.
The Saints would not waste any time jumping on the Colts, as New Orleans led 20-0 at halftime, a half highlighted by Drew Brees throwing two touchdown passes to tie Peyton Manning for first in career touchdown passes in NFL history.