New Orleans Saints Epic Moments

New Orleans Saints Epic Moments

Bob Rosato/SI

In the first game at the Superdome since it was refurbished after being a shelter in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina the year before, Steve Gleason blocks a punt into the end zone for a Saints touchdown that ignites a 23-3 victory over Atlanta. The play, later immortalized by a 9-foot statue outside the stadium, symbolizes New Orleans' resilience to bounce back after tragedy.

Heinz Kluetmeier/SI

Cornerback Tracy Porter picks off a Peyton Manning pass and returns it 74 yards for a touchdown, closing out a 31-17 victory over the Colts in Super Bowl 44 in Miami. A surprise onside kick and recovery by Chris Reis to open the second half launches the Saints' comeback from a 16-10 deficit.

Bill Haber/AP

Quarterback Drew Brees breaks Dan Marino's 27-year-old record for passing yards in a single season when he throws a 9-yard scoring pass to Darren Sproles to cap a 45-16 victory over Atlanta. Brees finishes the season with 5,476 passing yards.

Brad Schloss/Icon SMI

John Carney's 47-yard field goal with three seconds left lifts the Saints to a 23-20 win in Carolina in the season opener. The Saints give a game ball to the city of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region, both of which had been recently ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. The storm forced the Saints to be displaced to San Antonio that season and play every game on the road.

Bill Frakes/SI

Aaron Brooks throws four touchdown passes as the Saints beat the defending Super Bowl champion Rams, 31-28, in New Orleans for the first playoff victory in franchise history.