NFL – Game 13. Washington at New Orleans
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Tag Archives: New Orleans Saints
NFL – Game 6. Los Angeles at New Orleans
Game 194. San Francisco at New Orleans
1997 Game 244 – NFC Wildcard – New Orleans at Detroit
Sanders breaks another rushing record as Lions advance
Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders continues to have the greatest season in a running back’s career. Sanders broke Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record during the regular season with 2,127 yards, and now Sanders broke Dickerson’s single-game rushing record as well.
Against the New Orleans Saints in the Wildcard game in the Silverdome, Sanders rushed for 255 yards, which broke Dickerson’s 248 yards that he set in 1984 against the Dallas Cowboys. Sanders rushed 32 times to get those 255 yards and he also scored the Lions’ two touchdowns.
It wasn’t easy for the Lions though. The best offense in the NFL moved the ball in the first half but trailed 7-3 at halftime. The Saints broke through first when QB Billy Jo Hobert took advantage of a Lions’ blitz and connected with WR Eric Guliford for a 33-yard touchdown in the first quarter to give the Saints a 7-0 lead.
The Lions moved the ball up and down the field in the first half, generating 190 yard of offense, but could only manage a 30-yard Jason Hanson field goal in the first half.
In the second half, the stars showed out for the Lions. Sanders ran all over the Saints and WR Herman Moore demanded the football in the second half. As a result, the Lions racked up 253 yards of offense in the second half and 20 points. In fact, the Lions controlled the ball as they had 20:45 of time of possession compared to 9:15 for the Saints.
Hobert was harassed by the Lions in the second half and the Saints only managed 59 yards in the half. Hobert was picked off twice, one of them thwarting the only promising drive the Saints mustered up.
Besides Sanders, Moore caught 12 passes for 133 yards. WR Johnny Morton caught six for 61 yards and Scott Mitchell threw for 208 yards on 20 of 35 passing with an interception.
The Lions will now travel to Candlestick Park next weekend to take on the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round of the playoffs. It will be a matchup of the best offense in the league against the best defense in the league.
Game 172. New Orleans at New England
Game 166. New Orleans at Los Angeles
1997 Game 233 (Week 17) New Orleans at Kansas City
Chiefs take AFC #1 seed in blowout of Saints
All roads in the AFC playoffs will go through Arrowhead. The Kansas City Chiefs pummeled the New Orleans Saints Sunday afternoon in Arrowhead Stadium, 34-7, and earned the #1 seed in the AFC playoffs.
Chiefs’ QB Elvis Grbac returned from a broken collarbone and picked up exactly where he left off when he went down to injury. He was efficient and effective directing the Chiefs’ offense. Grbac finished the day with 182 yards on 18 of 31 passing with a touchdown. He also proved he was back 100% because he scored a TD on a quarterback sneak in the 1st quarter to open up the scoring.
The Chiefs also dominated the line of scrimmage. They rushed for 159 yards on the day on a total of 37 carries. RB’s Greg Hill and Marcus Allen combined for 92 yards of rushing. FB Kimble Anders chipped in 40 yards and a TD.
WR Andre Rison continued his awesome season as he caught seven passes for 122 yards and a TD. Rison had 101 receptions on the season for 1,537 yards and 10 TDs.
The Chiefs’ defense dominated the Saints. They picked off Billy Jo Hobert five times on the day. CB Mark McMillan intercepted his league-leading 10th pass of the season and returned it 72 yards for a first half touchdown. DB James Hasty intercepted two passes and also recovered a fumble.
The Saints (10-6), despite the loss, still has a spot in the NFC playoffs. If all goes according to the way it is lining up, the Saints may have the 5th seed in the NFC tournament. If they tie with the Buccaneers, they will take the 5th seed because of a better conference record.
Game 152. New Orleans at Seattle
1997 Game 220 (Week 16) Arizona at New Orleans
Saints march into the playoffs!
The preseason prognosticators didn’t give the New Orleans Saints much chance of having a successful 1997 season let alone getting into the playoffs. Good thing head coach Mike Ditka doesn’t listen to the media because the New Orleans Saints punched their ticket to the postseason with a 47-24 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at the Superdome.
The Saints had their best offensive day of the season on Sunday. They racked up 488 total yards on the day and scored 47 points. It is the third highest scoring output in Saint history. They scored 51 points in 1969 and 1976.
The Saints QB Billy Jo Hobert threw for 259 yards on 19 of 30 passing. He also threw three touchdowns and two interceptions. The Saints also gained 229 yards on the ground. RB Ray Zellars rushed for 116 yards on 20 carries. Troy Davis rushed for 44 yards and two touchdowns. Mario Bates rushed for 70 yards on 18 carries.
The Cardinals’ QB Jake Plummer had a horrible first half. He was five of 11 passing for 42 yards with five first-half interceptions. Jeff Graham replaced Plummer after halftime. He threw for 146 yards on 13 of 20 passing with a touchdown.
Now that the Saints have secured a playoff spot, they are eyeing the NFC West Championship. They are now 10-5 and will play at Kansas City next weekend. In order to win the West, the Saints need to win their last game and need the 49ers to lose Monday Night against Denver and at Seattle in two weeks.
As for the Cardinals, they are now 2-13 and will finish their season at home against Atlanta.
