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Colts quarterback Peyton Manning reacts after throwing an interception that was returned for a touchdown by Tracy Porter of the Saints.

Manning’s mistake is shocking ending

MIAMI –

Nothing could have been more surprising, or painful, than for it to end this way.

Quarterback Peyton Manning doesn’t throw interceptions like this, not in games like this.

But Colts fans were gasping in disbelief Sunday in Super Bowl XLIV at Sun Life Stadium because somehow Manning didn’t see New Orleans Saints cornerback Tracy Porter lurking near receiver Reggie Wayne.

Manning attempted a quick slant to Wayne, and Porter pounced, intercepting it and dashing 74 yards for a touchdown and a 31-17 lead with 3:12 remaining.

Essentially, the game was over. The New Orleans Saints had their first Super Bowl victory and Colts fans were left to ponder the worst pass of Manning’s career.

“Porter made a great play, a great play,” Manning said. “That’s all I can say about this – I thought Porter made a heck of a play.”

Manning was selected MVP this season, not just for his accuracy, but also for his ability to thrive in just these types of situations. Seven times this season, he’d orchestrated successful fourth-quarter comebacks, an NFL record. It seemed fitting that the Super Bowl would be decided under those circumstances. It was incredulous to think Manning wouldn’t pull off another comeback.

“They just did a good job of guessing on that play,” Wayne said. “That’s what it is, a guessing game. That’s what (the Saints) have been thriving on all year, creating turnovers and scoring with them. (Porter) caught it and put us in panic mode.”

It was especially disappointing because the Colts were getting fine efforts from unexpected people. Inconsistent running back Joseph Addai rushed 13 times for 77 yards and a touchdown, and he had seven catches for 58 yards. Defensive end Dwight Freeney, playing with a torn ligament in his right ankle, sacked New Orleans quarterback and Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees on a crucial third-down play in the second quarter.

And the Colts’ defense came up with impressive stops against the Saints’ top-rated offense, including one on fourth-and-goal from the Indianapolis 1-yard line in the second quarter, when linebacker Gary Bracket got to running back Pierre Thomas behind the line of scrimmage.

“It’s the Super Bowl and you never know how it’s going to turn out,” said Manning, who completed 31 of 45 passes for 333 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

“The Colts started out hot and the Saints got some momentum. … We just didn’t play well enough at certain times and the Saints, therefore, deserved to win.”

Things started to fall apart when the second half opened to a gutsy, successful onside kick by the Saints. Soon, New Orleans was ahead 24-17, setting the stage for Manning to cement his stature as the greatest quarterback of all time and the Colts as a dynasty.

Instead, the Colts had another season in which they were great in the regular season, but couldn’t get it done in the postseason.

“We aren’t a team that panics,” tight end Dallas Clark said. “We felt very confident in that situation. We just weren’t able to make the plays.”

This season was Manning’s finest work. It just had an ugly ending.