Al Davis, the Oakland Raiders owner who was one of the towering figures of professional football over the last half century, has died.

The Raiders’ web site has confirmed that Davis passed away this morning. He was 82.

In 1963, the Raiders, at the time a struggling franchise in the upstart American Football League, hired the 33-year-old Davis to be their head coach and general manager. He instantly reversed the team’s fortunes and was named the AFL’s Coach of the Year in their first season.

(CNN) — The New Orleans Saints won the Super Bowl for the first time in their 43-year history with a 31-17 victory over the Indianapolis Colts at the Sun Life Arena in Miami on Sunday night.

The NFC champions recovered from a slow start to deny Indianapolis a repeat of their Super Bowl success against Chicago Bears in the same stadium three years ago.

Inspired by MVP Drew Brees, who won his head-to-head with fellow star quarterback Peyton Manning, the Saints took command after trailing 17-16 going into the final quarter.

It’s almost game time. You’ve read thousands of words on Peyton Manning and Drew Brees, heard how elated the city of New Orleans is to be in the Super Bowl for the first time and received hundreds of updates on Dwight Freeney’s ankle.

Consider all that your introduction into the game.

Here’s your main course: 13 ways how the Saints can win, and 13 ways how the Colts can win.