The New Orleans Saints had a lot of bad teams for a long time but the past decade-plus, they have turned around the franchise. The team brought in Drew Brees and the New Orleans franchise changed forever.
The 2009 team did have some controversy, but the team won their first Super Bowl, a feat that makes it the best team in the franchise's history.
The Saints opened up the 2009 season in spectacular fashion with a win over the Detroit Lions. New Orleans put up 28 points by halftime and cruised to a 45-27 victory. In the second week, the Saints offense was even better in putting up 48 points against the Philadelphia Eagles on the way to another blowout victory.
In Week 3, the offense scored 27 points, but the defense was the big story, giving up only seven points to the Buffalo Bills. In Week 4, the Saints defense stepped up again scoring a touchdown, which helped lead New Orleans to a 24-10 victory over the New York Jets.
After a bye week, the Saints offense was the story again in Week 6 by putting up 48 points against the New York Giants. The defense gave up 27 points, but with the offensive output, it wasn't even a concern. Against the Miami Dolphins, the defense really struggled in giving up 34 points, but the offense scored 46 points.
After seven weeks in, the Saints were sitting 6-0 and there was a real buzz about what the season could be.
The Saints were tested the next three weeks, but they came away with three victories. It was tied at halftime in Week 10 against the St. Louis Rams, but Courtney Roby returned the second-half kickoff to the house to help propel New Orleans to a victory.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were the opponent in Week 11, and there never was a doubt about how the Saints would win that game. New Orleans gave up seven points in the first quarter, but after that pitched a shutout on the way to a 38-7 victory.
In Week 12, Week 13, and Week 14, the offense was once again running up the score, allowing New Orleans to win all three games. After Week 14, the Saints were 13-0 and the buzz was all about a perfect season.
However, it seemed the pressure got to the Saints in Week 15 against the Dallas Cowboys. The Saints fell behind 14-0, and the comeback in the fourth quarter was too late as they lost by seven points.
In Week 16, the Saints jumped out to a fast start against the Buccaneers, but they struggled in the fourth quarter, leading to a loss. With home-field advantage locked up, New Orleans rested its starters for Week 17.
After a first-round bye, the Saints blew out the Arizona Cardinals 45-14 in the first playoff matchup. In the NFC Championship game, it was a tough battle against Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings, but New Orleans was able to come away with a three-point victory in overtime.
In Super Bowl XLIV, it was an intense battle against the Indianapolis Colts, where Tracy Porter returned an interception for a touchdown to seal the first Super Bowl victory in Saints history.
New Orleans had seven players named to the Pro Bowl, but no players competed in the game because it was the week before the Super Bowl. Brees, Jahari Evans, and Darren Sharper were named to the AP All-Pro team.
The season was undoubtedly a success for the Saints, but there was a bit of controversy surrounding the team. Members of the team were accused of receiving bounties for injuring opposing team players. “Bountygate” reportedly ran from 2009-11 inside the organization. And after an investigation following the 2011 season, there were some harsh punishments handed out, including to coach Sean Payton who was suspended an entire season.
The allegations were serious and wrong, but that doesn't take away from the 2009 season featuring the best team in Saints history.
Follow Us
Subscribe