Super Bowl XLISuper Bowl XLI was one of the most exciting Super Bowls of all time, and it quite a bit of back and forth for both teams. The game was between the Indianapolis Colts and the Chicago Bears in 2006, two teams who were meeting to decide who would be crowned as the World Champion. Super Bowl 41 was played on February 4, 2007 at Dolphin Stadium in Miami, Florida. This appearance in the Super Bowl for the Colts was the first since back in 1970 when they won Super Bowl V. The Bears on the other hand were making their first appearance since the 1985 season, in Super Bowl XIV. Although the Bears entered the game with a better regular season record than the Colts, the Colts entered the game as 7 point favorites.

The game was exciting from the word go, as the Bears Devin Hester took the opening kickoff back 92 yards for a touchdown, to give the Bears a 7-0 lead. The Colts were in a tough spot after the first quarter, and were down 14-6 early on. But there was no denying Peyton Manning his first Super Bowl ring, as the Colts outscored the over matched Bears 23-3 in the final three quarters of the Super Bowl, to win the game 29-17.

Super Bowl 41Peyton Manning was named the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XLI, as he completed 25 of 38 passes, for 247 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. This was the first Super Bowl ring for Peyton Manning, who was already widely considered as one of the best quarterbacks in the game. Super Bowl 41 was also the first time that two African-American coaches were coaching in the Super Bowl, and Tony Dungy was also the first to win the big game.

Manning’s Super Bowl victory capped off an incredible season in which he passed for 4,397 yards, 31 passing touchdowns, 4 rushing touchdowns, and threw only 9 interceptions. The 2006 season for the Colts also brought in some incredible numbers for wide receivers Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne, as well as running back Joseph Addai. Harrison ended the year with 95 receptions for 1,366 yards, and 12 touchdowns, while Wayne pulled in 86 receptions for 1,310 yards, and 9 touchdowns. Addai’s season was an excellent story, as he actually didn’t start any games throughout the regular season, but still rushed for 1,081 yards, and had a 4.8 yards per carry average. Addai also had 40 receptions for 325 yards, and 8 receiving touchdowns. The Colts began the 2006 season winning their first nine games, and ended the year with a 12-4 record, which gave them the #3 playoff seed heading into the playoffs.