In 2006, division winners in the AFC were New England in the East, Baltimore in the North, Indianapolis in the South, and San Diego in the West, with the Wild-Cards going to New York and Kansas City. In the NFC, it was Philadelphia in the East, Chicago in the North, New Orleans in the South, and Seattle in the West, with the Wild-Cards going to Dallas and New York. In the AFC Wild-Card Playoffs, it was the Patriots rolling over the Jets 37-16, while the Colts had no trouble with the Chiefs 23-8. In the NFC, it was the Seahawks having to rally to beat the Cowboys 21-20, while the Eagles would have to hang on to beat the Giants 23-20. In the AFC Divisional Playoffs, it was the Patriots upsetting the top-seeded Chargers 24-21, while the Colts would win a tough defensive battle over the Ravens 15-6. In the NFC, the Saints would squeek by the Eagles 27-24, while the Bears would need overtime to get by the
Seahawks 27-24. In the Conference Championship Games, it was the Colts rallying in the fourth quarter to get by a tough Patriots team 38-34 in the AFC, while the Bears would roll over the Saints 39-14 in the NFC, setting up the match-up for Super Bowl XLI.  The game was played on February 4, 2007, at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The Colts defeated the Bears by the score of 29–17. In the first Super Bowl played in rainy conditions, the Colts overcame a 14–6 first-quarter deficit to outscore the Bears 23–3 in the last three quarters. Chicago posted the then-earliest lead in Super Bowl history when returner Devin Hester ran back the opening kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown after 14 seconds had elapsed (a record later broken in Super Bowl XLVIII when the Seattle Seahawks scored a safety 12 seconds into the game). The Colts forced five turnovers, including cornerback Kelvin Hayden's 56-yard interception return for a touchdown. Indianapolis kicker Adam Vinatieri also scored three field goals. Colts quarterback Peyton Manning was named the game's Most Valuable Player (MVP), completing 25 of 38 passes for 247 yards and a touchdown, with one interception for a passer rating of 81.8.