Saints beat Vikings 31-28 in OT, headed to Super Bowl

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

By Mike Herndon
January 24, 2010, 9:15PM
NEW ORLEANS -- Garrett Hartley kicked a 40-yard field goal to give New Orleans a 31-28 overtime win over Minnesota in Sunday's NFC Championship Game, sending the Saints to the Super Bowl for the first time in their 43-year history.

After winning the coin toss to get the ball first in overtime, Pierre Thomas returned the kickoff to the Saints' 39. Thomas then kept the drive alive by going over the top to pick up a first down on fourth-and-1 at the Vikings 43.

Vikings linebacker Ben Leber was flagged for pass interference a play later, and Brees then hit Robert Meachem with a 12-yard completion to get the Saints to the Minnesota 22 and set up the game-winning kick.