Reliving the Saints' 2006 Season

SI Staff | Aug 30, 2007

Reliving the Saints' 2006 Season /

Reliving the Saints' 2006 Season

Week 1

The Saints are favored in some corners to reach the Super Bowl this season. Here's a look back at their inspirational 2006, which began with Reggie Bush running for 67 yards and leading the team to a season-opening 19-14 win at Cleveland.

Week 2

Drew Brees passed for 353 yards and rallied the Saints past the Packers at Lambeau, 34-27.

Week 3

The Saints defense scored this TD off a blocked kick just 90 seconds into their home opener, and went on to beat Michael Vick's Falcons 23-3.

Week 3

The game against the Falcons was the Saints' first at the Superdome since Hurricane Katrina.

Week 4

A week after their emotional return to New Orleans, the Saints were due for a letdown. Even with Mike McKenzie's (34) defensive help, they lost to the Panthers 21-18.

Week 5

Deuce McAllister was the top rusher of the game with 123 yards. The Saints beat the Buccaneers 24-21.

Week 6

Wideout Joe Horn scores his second touchdown in a 27-24 victory over the Eagles.

With a 5-1 record headed into their bye week, the Saints had given their fans and cheerleaders plenty of reasons to dance.

Week 8

Tight end Mark Campbell dives for a first down, but the Saints still lost to the Ravens, 35-22.

Week 9

Reggie Bush wasn't at full strength because of a sore ankle, but the Saints had more than enough firepower to finish off the Buccaneers 31-14.

Week 10

Reggie Bush jumps for a touchdown over Pittsburgh's Ryan Clark, giving the Saints a 17-14 lead, but they ended up losing 38-31.

Week 11

Drew Brees had a big game with 510 passing yards, but his defense couldn't stop the Bengals in a 31-16 loss.

Week 12

Tight end Mark Campbell and the Saints defeated the Falcons 31-13, despite playing without top receiver Marques Colston.

Week 13

Deuce McAllister ran for 136 yards in a 34-10 win over the 49ers.

Week 14

Jamal Jones only had two catches in his two-year career, but in a 42-17 rout of the Cowboys, he caught a 27-yard touchdown pass in the final minute of the first half.

Week 15

Drew Brees is tripped up by Washington's Phillip Daniels in a 16-10 loss.

Week 16

Marques Colston makes this go-ahead, two-yard touchdown catch late in the first half of a 30-7 victory over the Giants.

Game 17

With a playoff berth already clinched, Reggie Bush and the Saints lost 31-21 to the Panthers.

NFC divisional playoffs

''This year, some things have happened for us and it's like, wow, this may be destiny,'' McAllister said after a 27-24 win over the Eagles.

NFC Championship

Optimism was high as the Saints earned a trip to the championship game against the Chicago Bears.

NFC Championship

The Bears held Drew Brees and the Saints in check, handing them a 39-14 loss. But the entire Gulf Coast will always appreciate the Saints for giving them a season worth remembering.

Published Aug 30, 2007

SI STAFF