Who Played in the 2007 Super Bowl? Full Recap & Stats

By Sarah Miller · March 10, 2040

The 2007 Super Bowl, officially known as Super Bowl XLI, featured the Indianapolis Colts and the Chicago Bears. The game took place on February 4, 2007, at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The Indianapolis Colts, led by quarterback Peyton Manning, defeated the Chicago Bears 29–17 to claim their first Super Bowl title since relocating to Indianapolis.

Overview of Super Bowl XLI

Super Bowl XLI was a historic matchup between two legendary franchises: the Indianapolis Colts of the American Football Conference (AFC) and the Chicago Bears of the National Football Conference (NFC). This was the Colts' first Super Bowl appearance since 1970 and the Bears' first since their dominant victory in Super Bowl XX in 1986.

Key Highlights

Date: February 4, 2007
Location: Dolphin Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
Final Score: Indianapolis Colts 29, Chicago Bears 17
MVP: Peyton Manning, Quarterback, Indianapolis Colts
First Black Starting Quarterback in a Super Bowl: Rex Grossman (Bears)
First Black Head Coach to win a Super Bowl: Tony Dungy (Colts)

Team Rosters and Key Players

Both teams entered the game with strong rosters and compelling storylines. The Colts overcame early-season doubts, while the Bears relied on their dominant defense.

Indianapolis Colts Key Contributors

Peyton Manning: Completed 25 of 38 passes for 247 yards and 1 touchdown
Joseph Addai: Scored the game's first rushing touchdown
Marvin Harrison: Leading receiver with 5 receptions for 67 yards
Ryan Lilja: Anchored the offensive line that protected Manning throughout the game
Adam Vinatieri: Kicked three field goals, providing crucial points

Chicago Bears Key Contributors

Rex Grossman: Threw for 261 yards but had 2 interceptions
Lovie Smith: Became the first African American head coach to lead his team to a Super Bowl
Devin Hester: Opened the game with a 92-yard punt return touchdown — the fastest score in Super Bowl history at the time
Brian Urlacher: Led the defense with 8 tackles
Charles Tillman: Recorded an interception in the second half

Game Summary and Turning Points

The game was played under rainy conditions, making ball control and field position critical. Despite the weather, the Colts executed a methodical offensive strategy to wear down the Bears' defense.

Critical Moments

Devin Hester's Opening Touchdown: Just 14 seconds into the game, Hester returned the kickoff for a touchdown, giving Chicago an early 7–0 lead.
Colts' Response: Indianapolis answered with a 56-yard drive capped by Joseph Addai's 3-yard touchdown run.
Second-Half Surge: After trailing 14–13 at halftime, the Colts scored 16 unanswered points in the second half.
Peyton Manning's Leadership: Though he didn't throw a touchdown pass until late in the fourth quarter, Manning managed the game flawlessly under pressure.
Defensive Stand: The Colts defense held the Bears to just 3 points in the second half, sealing the victory.

Statistic	Indianapolis Colts	Chicago Bears
First Downs	23	17
Total Yards	377	336
Passing Yards	270	261
Rushing Yards	107	75
Turnovers	1	3
Time of Possession	34:25	25:35
Third Down Efficiency	6-13	5-11

Table data source:1, 2

The statistical edge favored the Colts in key areas such as turnover margin and time of possession. Their ability to sustain drives limited the Bears' high-powered offense. The three turnovers committed by Chicago, including two interceptions by Rex Grossman, proved costly in the final outcome.

Historic Significance and Legacy

Super Bowl XLI was more than just a championship game—it was a landmark moment for diversity in the NFL.

Milestones Achieved

Tony Dungy became the first African American head coach to win a Super Bowl.
Lovie Smith was the first African American head coach to reach the Super Bowl.
The coaching matchup marked the first time two Black head coaches faced each other in the Super Bowl.
Devin Hester's opening return touchdown set a new standard for special teams impact in big games.
Peyton Manning finally won his first Super Bowl, silencing critics who questioned his ability to win the big one.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2007 Super Bowl

Who played in the 2007 Super Bowl?

The 2007 Super Bowl (Super Bowl XLI) featured the Indianapolis Colts and the Chicago Bears. The game was played on February 4, 2007, at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The Colts won 29–17.

Who won Super Bowl XLI?

The Indianapolis Colts won Super Bowl XLI, defeating the Chicago Bears 29–17. It was the franchise's first Super Bowl victory since moving to Indianapolis in 1984.

Who was the MVP of Super Bowl 2007?

Peyton Manning, quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts, was named Super Bowl MVP. He threw for 247 yards and one touchdown and led a decisive fourth-quarter scoring drive.

What was significant about the 2007 Super Bowl coaching matchup?

It was the first Super Bowl to feature two African American head coaches: Tony Dungy (Colts) and Lovie Smith (Bears). Dungy's victory made him the first Black head coach to win a Super Bowl.

Did weather affect Super Bowl XLI?

Yes, heavy rain affected gameplay throughout Super Bowl XLI. It was the first outdoor Super Bowl in a non-domed stadium played in rain, impacting passing accuracy and ball handling.