NFL football playoffs
Saints headed to first Super Bowl after beating Vikings
New Orleans ends Farve's playoff run
The New Orleans Saints beat the Minnesota Vikings in an overtime thriller to advance to Super Bowl XLIV in Miami
Garrett Hartley booted a 40-yard field goal in sudden death to lead the Saints over the Vikings 31-28 in the NFC title game in New Orleans.
Mistakes cost the Vikings. Brett Favre threw two interceptions - the first ended a potential game-winning drive late in the fourth quarter, the second led to the Saints' game-winning drive in OT. Minnesota also fumbled six times, losing three.
Favre was 28-46 with 310 yards and a touchdown to go with the two picks. Those numbers came despite having to be carried off the field, unable to put weight on his left foot after a sack.
Drew Brees played mistake-free football, going 17-31 for 197 yards and three TDs.
Five years ago after Hurricane Katrina the Super Dome was home to flood refugees, Sunday there was party that rivaled any the Big Easy has ever seen.
USA Today reported coach Sean Payton, the architect of the Saints' turnaround, said:
"This is for everybody in this city. This stadium used to have holes in it and used to be wet. It's not wet anymore. This is for the city of New Orleans."
The Saints will face the Indianapolis Colts, who beat the New York Jets 30-17 in the AFC championship game, in Super Bowl XLIV on Feb. 6 in Miami. Yahoo Sports has the Colts an early 4-point favorite.
