If you want to understand why the Indianapolis Colts vs Saints is one of those matchups that feels bigger than a standard inter-conference game, you have to look past the box score. Sure, they don't play every year. In fact, since they play in different conferences, they only see each other once every four years in the regular season. But when they do? Things get weird. Records break. Cities heal. And occasionally, a surprise onside kick changes the trajectory of the league forever.
Most people think of this as a "one-sided" rivalry because of Super Bowl XLIV. Honestly, that’s fair. That night in Miami basically redefined the Saints' franchise. But if you look at the total history, it's actually incredibly tight. As of 2026, the Saints hold a slim 14–12 lead in the all-time series. There are no ties. Just a lot of points and a few blowouts that still make Colts fans cringe.
Why Super Bowl XLIV Still Stings in Indy
You can't talk about Indianapolis Colts vs Saints without starting at the 2009 season. Both teams were absolute juggernauts. They both started the season 13–0. Imagine that. Two teams heading toward a collision course with almost perfect records.
The Colts were favored. They had Peyton Manning, who was basically a cyborg at quarterback during that era. They jumped out to a 10–0 lead, and it felt like the game was over before the first quarter ended. But then Sean Payton did the unthinkable. To start the second half, he called "Ambush"—a surprise onside kick.
It worked.
The momentum didn't just shift; it evaporated from the Colts' sideline. Then came "The Pick." Late in the fourth quarter, with the Colts driving to tie, Tracy Porter jumped a Reggie Wayne slant route. He took it 74 yards to the house. I still remember the sound of the Superdome (from a thousand miles away) erupting. It wasn't just a win for a team; it was a win for a city still recovering from Hurricane Katrina. For the Colts, it was the beginning of the end of the Manning era.
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The Most Recent Chapter: A 2023 Shootout
Fast forward to October 29, 2023. The venues change, the names on the jerseys change, but the Indianapolis Colts vs Saints games remain high-scoring affairs. In their most recent meeting at Lucas Oil Stadium, the Saints walked away with a 38–27 victory.
It was a classic "what if" game for Indy. Gardner Minshew was under center, trying to keep the wheels on the bus after Anthony Richardson's injury. Jonathan Taylor was finally looking like his old self, ripping off a 42-yard run early. The Colts actually led 17–7 at one point.
But Derek Carr and Taysom Hill had other plans. Hill, as usual, was doing everything—rushing for touchdowns, throwing passes, probably selling popcorn at halftime for all we know. Alvin Kamara was a nightmare in the red zone. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the Saints' offense had piled up 511 total yards. You aren't going to win many games giving up half a kilometer of offense.
Key Stats from the Last Meeting:
- Total Yards: Saints 511, Colts 371
- Passing: Derek Carr (310 yards, 2 TDs) vs. Gardner Minshew (213 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT)
- Rushing: Jonathan Taylor (95 yards) led all runners, but the Saints' committee approach was more effective.
The Blowouts Nobody Mentions
Everyone remembers the Super Bowl. Kinda fewer people talk about the 62–7 demolition in 2011. That was the year Manning was out with his neck injury, and the Colts were essentially a high school team playing a Pro Bowl squad. Drew Brees threw five touchdowns before he probably got bored and sat down.
Then there was 2019. Monday Night Football. Brees broke the NFL all-time passing touchdown record against the Colts. It seems like whenever the Saints need a milestone, Indianapolis is on the schedule. They won that one 34–7. If you're a Colts fan, the Saints are basically the final boss you can't quite figure out.
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On the flip side, the Colts have had their moments. Back in 2003, Peyton Manning went into New Orleans and hung 55 points on them. He threw six touchdowns. Six! It remains the largest margin of victory for the Colts in the series.
Tactical Differences: 2024 and Beyond
Looking at the current state of both franchises in 2025 and heading into 2026, the identities have shifted. The Saints are in a bit of a transition period, trying to find that post-Brees spark. They've relied heavily on a veteran defense led by guys like Demario Davis and Cameron Jordan.
The Colts, meanwhile, have gone all-in on athleticism. With Shane Steichen’s offense, they want to run the ball and use the quarterback as a vertical threat. It’s a complete 180 from the Manning days of "stand in the pocket and dissect you."
What’s interesting is how similar their trajectories have been lately. Both teams have hovered around that .500 mark, fighting for Wild Card spots in their respective conferences. When they meet, it’s usually a battle of the Colts' explosive run game against the Saints' disciplined, albeit aging, defensive front.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think this is a "friendly" matchup because they aren't division rivals. Wrong. There’s a lot of residual heat here. Colts fans still haven't forgiven the Saints for 2009. Saints fans still view Indy as the "standard" they had to topple to prove they belonged at the top.
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Also, don't buy the narrative that the Saints "own" the Colts. While the recent history (Saints winning 4 of the last 5) suggests a trend, the actual games are often closer than the final score looks. In that 2023 game, Indy was one red-zone stop away from making it a one-possession game late.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you are tracking the next Indianapolis Colts vs Saints game, here is what you actually need to watch for:
- The "Home Field" Trap: The Saints play significantly better in the Superdome (obviously), but the Colts have a weird knack for keeping it close in New Orleans while struggling at home against the Black and Gold.
- Turnover Margin: In the last four meetings, the team that won the turnover battle won the game 100% of the time. It sounds like a cliché, but with these two high-variance offenses, a single interception (like Porter's in 2010) is the entire story.
- Personnel Matchups: Watch the Colts' tight ends against the Saints' linebackers. Historically, the Saints have struggled with athletic TEs, and Indy loves to use them as security blankets for their young quarterbacks.
To really stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the injury reports regarding the defensive line. The Saints' ability to win without blitzing has been their "secret sauce" against Indy for a decade. If they can't get pressure with four, the Colts' RPO game will tear them apart.
The next time these two meet, don't expect a defensive struggle. History tells us to expect fireworks, a few records being threatened, and probably a coaching decision that will be debated on sports talk radio for the next week. Whether it's in the regular season or a rare postseason rematch, this is a fixture that always delivers more than the sum of its parts.