In case you’ve been living under a rock, the New Orleans Saints won Super Bowl XLIV.  In what turned out to be a pretty great game, the underdog Saints battled hard to take the win.  It all started with an onside kick recovered by the Saints in the opening minutes of the second half.  But, it wasn’t until the third quarter that the Saints sealed the deal.

Peyton Manning threw a costly interception.  Cornerback Tracy Porter picked off a pass intended for Reggie Wayne and ran it in 74 yards for a touchdown with just 3:24 left on the clock.  That put the Saints up 31-17.  It was the same tactic used by Porter when he intercepted a pass off of Brett Favre in the final minutes of their Conference Championship game to secure their place in the Super Bowl.

Though the Colts dominated the first half of the game, they couldn’t seem to put together an effective play for most of the second half, and once Porter picked of Manning’s pass, all was lost.  The Saints went on to win their first Super Bowl in franchise history.  Drew Brees took home the MVP trophy and has secured his place among the great quarterbacks playing in the league.  This is after a severe throwing shoulder injury that could have ended his career.  New Orleans was the only team that would draft him, and it seems that it paid off.  It was a big win for a deserving team.

And so ends another fantastic season of the NFL, though before we wrap it all up, get to BetUS to put down a final wager.  They are offering odds on whether or not Brett Favre will return for another season or finally retire (for the third time):

Will Brett Favre in Week 1 of the 2010-11 Season?
Yes: -110
No: -130

As I’m sure everyone is aware, the biggest football game of the year is rapidly approaching.  There’s just over two days to go before the Colts and the Saints face off in Miami in Super Bowl XLIV and for all of you sportsbetting fans – aficionados and casual bettors alike – BetUS has gone crazy with Super Bowl fever.

In addition to their most up-to-date Super Bowl line, they are offering more props than you could possibly imagine. In fact, there are nearly 60 different categories to choose from.  This includes quite a few on different players and positions as well as first and second half props, quarter props, team props, team comparison props, and many, many more.  Here’s a look at some of the best and unusual on offer …

Peyton Manning total passing yards
Over 310 ½: -120
Under 310 ½: -110

Drew Brees total rushing attempts
Over 1 ½: +140
Under 1 ½: -170

First to score
Saints: +105
Colts: -135

National Anthem Length
Over 1 minute and 41 seconds: -110
Under 1 minute and 41 seconds: -130

Gatorade dumped on winning coach
Blue: +1000
Clear/Water: +150
Lime Green: +600
Orange: +500
Red: +1000
Yellow: -130

How many times will Kim Kardashian be shown on TV?
Over 2 ½ total TV shots: -130
Under 2 ½ total TV shots: -110

Pete Townsend total windmills
Over 5 ½: -200
Under 5 ½ +150

There are plenty more where that came from, so get to BetUS to read through their full list of props available.  While you’re there, check out the Super Bowl line to put down a wager on your favorite team.  Don’t forget that BetUS is also offering live betting throughout the big game, which means that the betting fun doesn’t have end after the kickoff.

Go Colts!

In case you haven’t heard, the Saints and the Colts have advanced to the Super Bowl in two hard fought battles that were a worthy precursor to the biggest football game of the year.  There was some pretty intense competition over the weekend as the New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings did everything they could to claim the Conference Championships for themselves.

Though many people may have quickly dismissed the Jets in their game against the Colts, New York shocked a few fans by owning the Colts in the first half of the game.  They went up 17-6 thanks to some trick plays and plenty of effort from the Jets’ number one ranked defense.  Unfortunately, the Jets lost running back Shonn Greene due to a rib injury and rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez was shut down by the Indianapolis defense through the entire second half.  Plus, with Peyton Manning completing 26 of 39 for 377 yards with three touchdowns, the powerful Indianapolis offense was just too much for New York to handle.  The Colts went on to grab the Lamar Hunt Trophy and a spot in the Super Bowl with their 30-17 win.

Next up, New Orleans hosted Minnesota on the home field in very close game that went back and forth until the Saints ultimately managed to get the win with a field goal in sudden death overtime.  Both teams were pretty evenly matched and it showed as the game stayed very close throughout.  Though, in the end, it was the Saints’ ability to take advantage of turnovers that won the game.  Minnesota gave up six turnovers, including two interceptions thrown by Brett Favre.  The most devastating of these came late in the fourth quarter.  With seconds on the clock and Minnesota nearly in field goal territory, Favre attempted a pass to Sidney Rice, but Tracy Porter intercepted the ball.  New Orleans then won the overtime coin toss and went on to take the game 31-28.

It seems a fitting end to a great season, with the league’s two best teams going on to win their place in Super Bowl XLIV.  This marks the first time the Saints have made it to the big game and the fourth appearance for the Colts.  It’s certainly shaping up to be an excellent game, and BetUS is offering the following odds:

Indianapolis Colts v New Orleans Saints
Pointspread
Saints: +5 ½ -110
Colts: -5 ½ -110
Moneyline
Saints: +170
Colts: -210

Get to BetUS to put down a wager at these odds. Keep in mind that they’re also offering live betting on the game as well as several AFC/NFC props in the Locker Room section of their site. And, don’t forget the Pro Bowl.  BetUS has odds on this game as well.  Check it all out before the games kick off on January 31 (Pro Bowl) and February 7 (Super Bowl XLIV).