2007 New Orleans Saints

The 2007 New Orleans Saints season is the 41st season for the team in the National Football League. They will try to improve upon their 10-6 record in 2006 and are coming off the heels of their third division title -- their first in the NFC South, with two previously in the NFC West prior to the 2002 realignment. They and the Pittsburgh Steelers opened the NFL preseason, playing the Hall of Fame Game on August 5, 2007. The Saints were 3-2 in the pre-season.

Coaching staff
Head coach Sean Payton will be entering his second year with the Saints. He will be joined with offensive coordinator Doug Marrone and defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs.

Pre-Season
HF = Hall of Fame Game

Regular Season
Times listed are Eastern. Local time in New Orleans is one hour earlier.

Week 1: at Indianapolis Colts
at RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana
 * Game time: 8:30 p.m. EST/7:30 p.m. CST
 * Game weather: Game played indoors (Domed stadium)
 * TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels and John Madden'''
 * Game attendance:
 * Referee: Walt Anderson

Game Summary
The 2007 New Orleans Saints began their regular season in the annual Thursday night Kickoff game against the defending Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts. In the first quarter, New Orleans trailed early as Super Bowl XLI MVP Peyton Manning completed a 27-yard TD pass to WR Marvin Harrison for the score of the period. In the second quarter, the Saints managed to get their only touchdown of the game as DB Jason David (a former Colt) returned a fumble 55 yards to the endzone. Afterwards, New Orleans took the lead with kicker Olindo Mare getting a 34-yard field goal. Indianapolis would tie the game prior to halftime with kicker Adam Vinatieri nailing a 33-yard field goal. In the second half, the Colts dominated the rest of the game. During the third quarter, RB Joseph Addai got a 2-yard TD run, while Manning hooked up with WR Reggie Wayne on a 29-yard TD pass. For the fourth quarter, Indianapolis wrapped up the game with Vinatieri getting a 33-yard field goal, Manning & Wayne hooking up with each other again on a 45-yard TD pass, and DB Matt Giordano returning an interception 82 yards for a touchdown.

With the loss, the Saints began the year at 0-1.

Scoring Summary
Q1 - IND - 1:36 - 27-yard TD pass from Peyton Manning to Marvin Harrison (Adam Vinatieri kick) (7-0 IND)

Q2 - NO - 11:32 - 55-yard fumble return for TD by Jason David (Olindo Mare kick) (7-7)

Q2 - NO - 6:30 - Olindo Mare 34-yard FG (10-7 NO)

Q2 - IND - 0:45 - Adam Vinatieri 33-yard FG (10-10)

Q3 - IND - 9:45 - Joseph Addai 2-yard TD run (Vinatieri kick) (17-10 IND)

Q3 - IND - 6:11 - 29-yard TD pass from Peyton Manning to Reggie Wayne (Vinatieri kick) (24-10 IND)

Q4 - IND - 14:12 - Adam Vinatieri 33-yard FG (27-10 IND)

Q4 - IND - 10:05 - 45-yard TD pass from Peyton Manning to Reggie Wayne (Vinatieri kick) (34-10 IND)

Q4 - IND - 0:55 - 82-yard interception return for TD by Matt Giordano (Vinatieri kick) (41-10 IND) Times listed are Eastern. Local time in New Orleans is one hour earlier.

Week 2 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

 * Game time: Sunday September 16, 2007 - 1:00 p.m. EDT
 * Game weather: TBA
 * Stadium: Raymond James Stadium
 * Television announcers (FOX): TBA
 * Game attendance: TBA