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September 28, 2010

Saints beat Vikings in OT, head to 1st Super Bowl

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — They sure ain’t the Aints anymore.

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Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Sidney Rice (18) catches a ball for a 5-yard touchdown against New Orleans Saints linebacker Scott Shanle (58) during the first quarter of the NFC Championship NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

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New Orleans Saints cornerback Tracy Porter (22) celebrates after intercepting a pass by Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre (4) during the fourth quarter of the NFC Championship NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)

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The New Orleans Saints are heading to their first Super Bowl after battering Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings 31-28 in overtime Sunday on unheralded Garrett Hartley’s 40-yard field goal.

The team that had no home five years ago after Hurricane Katrina ravaged its city and the Superdome overcame a slew of mistakes in the biggest game the Big Easy has ever seen.

But the biggest error was made by Favre. The 40-year-old quarterback threw away Minnesota’s chance for its first Super Bowl trip in 33 years with an interception deep in Saints territory in the final seconds of regulation.

New Orleans won the coin toss, Drew Brees guided it to the Minnesota 22 and Hartley, suspended at the start of the season for using a banned stimulant, split the uprights 4:45 into OT.

“Just helping my team get to Miami,” Hartley said. “Just doing my part.”

Forget the paper bag masks and a long history of losing. Moments after Hartley’s kick, they were toasting their hometown winners on Bourbon Street.

And in the Superdome, once a squalid refuge after Katrina, they boogied in the aisles as confetti covered the field.

The Saints (15-3) will meet the Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts (16-2) in the Super Bowl in two weeks in Miami.
It’s the first time the top seeds in each conference made the big game since the 1993 season.

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Additional Photos

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New Orleans Saints tight end David Thomas (85) is taken down by Minnesota Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield (26) and Chad Greenway during the second quarter of the NFC Championship NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

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New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush (25) evades a tackle by Minnesota Vikings safety Jamarca Sanford (33) and Madieu Williams during the second quarter of the NFC Championship NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

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Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre sits on the field after being hit during the first quarter of the NFC Championship NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

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Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Sidney Rice (18) checks on Minnesota Vikings Brett Favre after he was hit during the second quarter of the NFC Championship NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

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New Orleans Saints wide receiver Devery Henderson pulls down a nine-yard touchdown pass against Minnesota Vikings cornerback Benny Sapp (22) during the second quarter of the NFC Championship NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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Minnesota Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway (52) reacts after a play against the New Orleans Saints the NFC Championship NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre throws a pass during the first quarter of the NFC Championship NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

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Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre celebrates after Adrian Peterson's 19-yard touchdown run during the first quarter of the NFC Championship NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)

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New Orleans Saints running back Pierre Thomas, left, lifts up teammate Jermon Bushrod after scoring on a 38-yard touchdown during the first quarter of the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in New Orleans, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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New Orleans Saints running back Pierre Thomas (23) breaks away to score on 38-yard touchdown run during the first quarter of the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in New Orleans, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)

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New Orleans Saints running back Pierre Thomas (23) celebrates his 38-yard touchdown with teammate Reggie Bush during the first quarter of the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in New Orleans, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

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New Orleans Saints safety Darren Sharper (42) holds on to Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) during the first quarter of the NFC Championship NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

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Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre, second left, gives his team a play in the huddle during the second quarter ofthe NFC Championship NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

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Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen grabs New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush (25) during the second quarter of the NFC Championship NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Sidney Rice (18) celebrates his 5-yard touchdown during the first quarter of the NFC Championship NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

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Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) holds up the football after scoring on a 19-yard touchdown during the first quarter of the NFC Championship NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)