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NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- The New Orleans Saints got a celebration and
a scare, a history-making victory over the defending Super Bowl
champs that felt like Mardi Gras, New Year's Eve and Halloween all
wrapped up in one.
Aaron Brooks threw three of his four touchdown passes to Willie
Jackson, and the Saints held off a huge fourth-quarter rally by St.
Louis for a 31-28 win Saturday, the first playoff victory in their
34-year history.
|  | | The Saints' Brian Milne recovered Az-Zahir Hakim's fumble, ensuring the NFL will have a new champion this season. |
"I feel the same as every other fan out there," owner Tom
Benson said. "It's so exciting, so different than we've been
accustomed to. I know a lot of people out there were saying, `Same
old Saints.' But we did it."
From the voodoo ceremony before kickoff to the famous Benson
Boogie at the end, this had the makings of a truly New Orleans
party. It was a befitting of a Saints breakthrough after decades of
frustration and an 0-4 lifetime playoff record.
Of course, it wouldn't have been a real Saints experience
without a major scare or two.
After going ahead 31-7 early in the fourth quarter, New Orleans
(11-6) watched Kurt Warner drive the Rams to three quick
touchdowns, shaving the deficit to 31-28.
After the final touchdown at the 2:36 mark, the Saints recovered
the Rams' onside kick. The Rams (10-7) forced a punt, but Az-Zahir Hakim
muffed an easy fair catch at his own 11, and New Orleans recovered.
"My teammates were all very supportive of me," Hakim said.
"But I felt we went out on that play."
Indeed, all Brooks needed to do was take a knee three times, and
one of the most downtrodden franchises in sports history finally
had reason to celebrate.
"The city, the front office and the fans all deserve this,"
said defensive lineman Joe Johnson, a seven-year veteran of the
Saints, who helped coach Jim Haslett resurrect this team after Mike
Ditka's virtual gutting of the franchise.
"But it's not over. We've got to keep on moving."
The Saints, who surprised everyone to win just their second NFC
West title this season, will try to keep the magic going next
weekend in Minnesota.
The Rams made the NFC wild-card game last week with the unlikely
scenario of a victory at New Orleans combined with a Bears upset of
Detroit. But there will be no Super Bowl run this season after the
Rams had five turnovers, a number of costly penalties and Warner's
ineffectiveness before desperation set in.
"I'm proud of this football team," Rams coach Mike Martz said.
"I am satisfied with the effort that they gave out there. I'm very
disappointed with the outcome and some of the things that
transpired during the game. But, I can't change those things."
Warner threw for 365 yards -- most after the Rams fell far behind
-- and three interceptions, while losing one fumble. He wasn't sharp
until the end, possibly because of the grogginess and
light-sensitivity he experienced after a concussion here last week.
"I gave it everything I had," Warner said. "But we dug a hole
for ourselves. I'm the leader of our offense. I'm always
responsible."
The NFL's Most Valuable Player, Marshall Faulk, gained a
season-low 24 yards against a New Orleans defense that got tough
after allowing him 220 yards rushing in the 26-21 loss. He finished
with 99 yards receiving and one touchdown, but was a non-factor in
the passing game until New Orleans led 31-7.
Did the Saints change anything from last week?
"No," Faulk said. "They just stepped up and made plays."
On offense, too.
And as usual, if they were making plays for the Saints, they
couldn't be household names.
Brooks, a second-year quarterback making just his sixth career
start, finished with 266 yards passing and four touchdowns -- a
Saints playoff record, of course. He also led New Orleans in
rushing with 26 yards, five more than journeyman Terry Allen, who
came out of retirement to join the Saints in November.
"Football is football," Brooks said. "When you know the game,
you go out and play it. It doesn't matter what field you're on.
Your goals are the same. What you're doing is the same. That's how
I feel about it."
Jackson, an unheralded veteran, had six receptions for 142 yards
and matched an NFL playoff record with his three touchdown catches.
Fittingly, he was thrust into the spotlight when the Saints'
receiving leader, Joe Horn, sprained his ankle in the first
quarter.
With Horn on the sideline, the Saints played the bulk of their
first playoff game since 1993 without their leading receiver,
passer and rusher. Quarterback Jeff Blake (foot) and running back
Ricky Williams (ankle) have been gone for weeks.
"You try to take advantage of the opportunities when they
come," Jackson said. "You don't know when you're going to get it,
but when it comes, you've got to step up."
Williams and Horn both remain doubtful for Saturday's game agaisnt the Vikings, but Williams might practice with the team Tuesday if things go well in an earlier workout, Haslett said.
Safety Sammy Knight had two interceptions, including an
off-balance, one-handed grab of Warner's pass that negated Hakim's
65-yard punt return to the Saints 9, after St. Louis closed to
31-13.
Minutes earlier, Warner led the Rams 80 yards to give the Rams
life, and not even Knight's second interception could suck the
spirit out of the defending champions.
After quickly stopping the Saints, Faulk caught a screen pass
and twisted his way for a 25-yard touchdown, capping a three-play
drive and cutting the deficit to 31-20. The Rams recovered an
onside kick, and five plays later, Warner scooted in from 5 yards,
and a 2-point conversion shaved the deficit to a field goal.
Then came Hakim's fatal fumble, and the NFL was ensured of a new
champion in 2000.
Game notes
Warner threw five touchdown passes in his first playoff
start, an NFL record. Brooks' four touchdown passes tied him for
second on that list. ... The Saints were outscored 123-56 in their
four playoff losses. ... The last player to catch three touchdown passes in a playoff game was Jerry
Rice in 1994. Rice has accomplished the feat three times. ... The
Rams fell to 0-19 in the playoffs when falling behind by seven or
more.
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ALSO SEE
NFL Scoreboard
St. Louis Clubhouse
New Orleans Clubhouse
Saints RB Williams might practice with team Tuesday
Saints' newest backup hero
Saints finally earn playoff respect
AUDIO/VIDEO
 ABC's Eric Dickerson was the only person on the field Saturday who could catch up with Saints receiver Willie Jackson.
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RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
 Jim Haslett tells ABC's Melissa Stark just how special a playoff win really is.
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RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Kurt Warner and the Rams are hurting after a loss to the Saints.
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RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Marshall Faulk and the Rams were not good enough to beat the Saints on Saturday.
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RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
FROM
ATHLETESDIRECT
Ricky Williams Official Site
Jeff Blake Official Site
Kyle Turley Official Site
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