NFC South: Top 10 teams in division history

1) New Orleans Saints 2009

Jan 29, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; General view of Super Bowl XLIV championship ring to commemorate the New Orleans Saints 31-17 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on February 7, 2010 on display at the NFL Experience at the Phoenix Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sport

Heading into the 2009 NFL season, the New Orleans Saints had been very solid under Sean Peyton and Drew Brees, but hadn’t quite gotten over the hump. Well, things changed in 2009. The Saints won the NFC South division with a 13-3 record which still stands as the most regular season wins in franchise history.

The Saints jumped out to an 8-0 start and ran the streak to 13 before losing three straight to end the season. Luckily for the Saints, they would regain their momentum in the playoffs and knocked of the Arizona Cardinals, 45-14 in the second round of the playoffs. New Orleans then tangled with Bret Favre and the Minnesota Vikings and won a closely contested game, 31-28 in overtime in the NFC Championship game.

The Saints had finally reached the Super bowl for the first time in franchise history. The Saints’ opponent was none other than Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV. At halftime, the Saints were trailing, 10-6 with the Colts receiving the ball to start the second half. The Saints took a gamble and pulled off a surprise onside kick to spark the second half comeback. the Saints outscored the Colts, 25-7 in the second half to win, 31-17, giving the Saints their first ever Super Bowl win and sent Manning home a loser once again.