NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

Each NFL team’s out of nowhere season

By Randy Gurzi

15 Nov 1998: Running back Jamal Anderson #32 and wide receiver Terance Mathis #81 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrate during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. The Falcons defeated the 49ers 31-19.
15 Nov 1998: Running back Jamal Anderson #32 and wide receiver Terance Mathis #81 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrate during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. The Falcons defeated the 49ers 31-19. /
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Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) /

New Orleans Saints: Post-Katrina season in 2006

Hurricane Katrina was a devastating event, as it dealt a terrible blow to the people of New Orleans. While the game of football pales in comparison to the real-life events that were affected, the fact is it did have an impact on the New Orleans Saints. Damage to their stadium forced them on the road for the 2005 NFL season, as they split time between San Antonio and Baton Rouge.

They returned to their regular city in 2006 and had a new look to their team. Sean Payton was hired as the head coach in the offseason and they landed Drew Brees in free agency.

That nearly didn’t happen, as Brees was also looking at the Miami Dolphins who were being coached by Nick Saban. The medical staff in South Beach wasn’t comfortable with the health of the quarterback’s shoulder and instead went with Daunte Culpepper and his bum knee.

For New Orleans, things couldn’t have worked out any better. Payton and Brees clicked right away and the former San Diego Charger went for 4,418 yards and 26 touchdown passes. He had an instant connection with Marques Colston, a seventh-round rookie out of Hofstra. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound Colston ended his first campaign with 1,038 yards and eight touchdowns.

Behind the strength of this incredible offensive performance, the Saints rebounded from a three-win campaign to go 10-6 and win the NFC South. They then went 1-1 in the NFC playoffs, knocking off the Philadelphia Eagles before suffering a defeat in the NFC Championship game against the Chicago Bears.

Again, football is just a game, but the success of the team seemed to help the city recover from the devastating events of Katrina. It gave people something positive to focus on and the fans seemed to really feel connected to this team — more so than in the past even.

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