New Orleans Advances in NFL Playoffs

N E W   O R L E A N S, Dec. 30 -- Nothing has ever come easy for the NewOrleans Saints. Naturally, winning their first playoff game after34 years and knocking the defending Super Bowl champions out of theplayoffs wasn’t any different.

Aaron Brooks threw three touchdown passes to Willie Jackson, andthe Saints held off a huge fourth-quarter rally from the St. LouisRams for a 31-28 victory Saturday.

From the voodoo ceremony before kickoff to owner Tom Benson’sfamous Benson Boogie at the end, it had the makings of a truly NewOrleans scene, a celebration befitting a breakthrough after decadesof frustration and an 0-4 lifetime playoff record.

But there was fear, too.

Saints of Old

After going ahead 31-7 early in the fourth quarter, New Orleans(11-6) looked like the Saints of old, watching Kurt Warner drivethe Rams to three quick touchdowns, shaving the deficit to 31-28.

After the final touchdown at the 2:36 mark, the Saints recoveredthe Rams’ onside kick. The Rams (10-7) forced a punt, but Az Hakimmuffed an easy fair catch at his own 11, and New Orleans recovered.

Brooks simply took a knee three times, and one of the mostdowntrodden franchises in sports history finally had reason tocelebrate.

The Saints, who surprised everyone to win just their second NFCWest title this season, will try to keep the magic going nextweekend in Minnesota.

Rams Disappoint

The Rams, who made the NFC wild-card game last week with theunlikely scenario of a victory at New Orleans combined with a Bearsupset of the Lions, had five turnovers, a number of costlypenalties and Warner’s ineffectiveness until the game was virtuallyout of reach.

Warner threw for 365 yards—most after the Rams fell far behind- and three interceptions, while losing one fumble. He wasn’t sharpuntil the end, possibly because of the grogginess andlight-sensitivity he experienced after a concussion here last week.

The NFL’s Most Valuable Player, Marshall Faulk, had no suchexcuses, except a New Orleans defense that got tough after beingembarrassed last week, allowing him 220 yards rushing in the 26-21loss. The Saints held him to a season-low 24 yards rushing and madehim a nonfactor in the passing game until New Orleans led 31-7.