New Orleans Saints pull off an onside surprise

MIAMI — The Saints had not attempted an onside kick all season. And surely, down four points in the biggest game in franchise history with two quarters to play, it was no time to try their first such kick.

Maybe that's why it was such a great call.

The Colts, stunned by the move to open the second half, did not react well.

The ball bounced off the chest of the Colts' Hank Baskett, and the Saints' Chris Reis tried to pounce on it. A mad scramble ensued, and the Saints' Jonathan Casillas finally recovered it.

Coach Sean Payton decided an onside kick was going to be part of his game plan.

"We knew we were going to call it at some point," he said. "At halftime, I just told (the players), 'Hey, we're going to open up the second half with this. It's going to be a great play.' "

So with The Who rocking the stage, Payton was planning to shake things up in a different manner.

"We had enough time at halftime with the schedule (to plan)," he said. "I just told our guys, 'You've got to make me look good on this.' That really becomes like a turnover."

The Saints then drove 58 yards on six plays, capped by running back Pierre Thomas' 16-yard catch and run for a touchdown to put them ahead 13-10.

"They took a gamble, and it paid off for them," Colts coach Jim Caldwell said.

The Colts lamented the scoring driving, saying they had more control over it.

"Just because they get the ball," defensive end Robert Mathis said, "doesn't mean they have to score."

Information from Times wires was used in this report.