The Saints made a splash in the expansion draft by selecting Green Bay Packers running back Paul Hornung. Lombardi was distraught when the Saints selected Hornung in the draft.[1] In later years, Hornung revealed that he spoke to Saints coach Tom Fears prior to the draft. Fears was a former assistant in Green Bay and Fears felt that Hornung would help sell tickets in New Orleans.[1] Several weeks later, the Saints also signed Packers running back Jim Taylor, a native of Baton Rouge and an All-American at LSU. Taylor had felt underpaid and under-appreciated under Lombardi.[2] An examination at the Scripps Clinic in California found the severing of the fifth, sixth, and seventh vertebrae, and damaged nerve roots in the spinal cord of Hornung. It was decided that Hornung would retire and he never played a game for the Saints.[2]
The Saints committed a colossal blunder by trading the first overall selection to the Baltimore Colts for Gary Cuozzo, the backup quarterback to Johnny Unitas. Cuozzo began the season as the Saints' starter, but lost the job to expansion draftee Billy Kilmer. Cuozzo was traded to the Minnesota Vikings early in 1968.
Baltimore selected Michigan State All-America defensive end Bubba Smith with the first pick. Smith became a star for the Colts, starting at left end for their Super Bowl III and Super Bowl V teams.
1967 New Orleans Saints staff
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Front office
- President – John Mecom Jr.
- Executive Vice-President / general manager – Bert Rose
- Director of Player Personnel – Vic Schwenk
- Director of Player Relations – George Owen
- Director of Promotions and Special Events – Bill Smythe
- Director of Public Relations – Donald Smith
- Public Relations Assistant – Patricia Cross
- Public Relations Consultant – Jim Hall
- Business Manager – Carroll Martin
- College Scouting –
- North Central Area Scout – Dave Smith
- Northeastern Area Scout – Ray Masters
- South Central Area Scout – Al Tabor
- Southeastern Area Scout – Henry Lee Parker
- Western Area Scout – Ray Newman
- Comptroller – Cyril Nelson
- Entertainment Director – Tommy Walker
- Ticket Manager – Henry Simoneaux
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
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Defensive coaches
Strength and conditioning
- Trainer – Fred Peterson
- Assistant trainer – Bill Cuthbertson
- Equipment manager – Charlie Shepherd
- Assistant Equipment Manager – Wallace Brown
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1967 New Orleans Saints final roster
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Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
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Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
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Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams
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Reserve lists
Taxi squad
n/a
Rookies in italics
, 0 taxi squad
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The Saints played six pre-season games, finishing with a record of 5–1.
Things couldn't have looked better for the Saints and their inaugural season. A 5–1 preseason record was followed by a 94-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by rookie John Gilliam to begin the 1967 season against the Los Angeles Rams. (There is a rumor in the annals of New Orleans Saints legends that following this play many fans allegedly heard another fan in Tulane Stadium shout out aloud "This is going to be the greatest football team in history!" – thus jinxing the Saints for their first 20 years of existence). Apparently the Rams were not informed of this declaration as they quickly recovered from the opening blow to win 27–13.
The first-ever win for the Saints came in week 8 when[3] wide receiver Flea Roberts scored 3 touchdowns in a 31–24 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. With additional triumphs over Atlanta and Washington the 3 wins for the year matched the most for an expansion team.
Former Green Bay great Jim Taylor led the team with 390 yards rushing and 17th round pick rookie Danny Abramowicz from Xavier College led in receiving with 50 grabs for 721 yards and 6 touchdowns. Defensive back Dave Whitshell led the team as well as the NFL in interceptions with 10 steals—still a New Orleans Saint season record.
Week
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Date
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Opponent
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Result
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Record
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Venue
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Attendance
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1
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September 17
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Los Angeles Rams
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L 13–27
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0–1
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Tulane Stadium
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80,879
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2
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September 24
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Washington Redskins
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L 10–30
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0–2
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Tulane Stadium
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74,937
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3
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October 1
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Cleveland Browns
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L 7–42
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0–3
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Tulane Stadium
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77,045
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4
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October 8
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at New York Giants
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L 21–27
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0–4
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Yankee Stadium
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62,670
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5
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October 15
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at Dallas Cowboys
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L 10–14
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0–5
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Cotton Bowl
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64,128
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6
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October 22
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at San Francisco 49ers
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L 13–27
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0–6
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Kezar Stadium
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34,285
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7
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October 29
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Pittsburgh Steelers
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L 10–14
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0–7
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Tulane Stadium
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68,911
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8
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November 5
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Philadelphia Eagles
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W 31–24
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1–7
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Tulane Stadium
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59,596
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9
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November 12
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Dallas Cowboys
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L 10–27
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1–8
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Tulane Stadium
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83,437
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10
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November 19
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at Philadelphia Eagles
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L 21–48
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1–9
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Franklin Field
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60,751
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11
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November 26
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Atlanta Falcons
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W 27–24
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2–9
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Tulane Stadium
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83,437
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12
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December 3
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at St. Louis Cardinals
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L 20–31
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2–10
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Busch Memorial Stadium
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41,171
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13
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December 10
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at Baltimore Colts
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L 10–30
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2–11
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Memorial Stadium
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60,238
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14
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December 17
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at Washington Redskins
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W 30–14
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3–11
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District of Columbia Stadium
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50,486
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Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
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Week 1: vs. Los Angeles Rams
edit
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
• Rams |
3 |
10 | 7 | 7 |
27 |
Saints |
7 |
3 | 3 | 0 |
13 |
- Date: Sunday, September 17
- Location: Tulane Stadium, New Orleans, Louisiana
- Game start: 1:30 p.m. CT
- Game attendance: 80,879
- Game weather: 75 °F (24 °C), relative humidity 66%, wind 7 mph (11 km/h)
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Scoring summary |
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| 1 | | NO | John Gilliam 94-yard kickoff return (Charlie Durkee kick) | NO 7–0 |
| 1 | | LA | Bruce Gossett 10-yard field goal | NO 7–3 |
| 2 | | LA | Bruce Gossett 21-yard field goal | NO 7–6 |
| 2 | | NO | Charlie Durkee 44-yard field goal | NO 10–6 |
| 2 | | LA | Roman Gabriel 2-yard rush (Bruce Gossett kick) | LA 13–10 |
| 3 | | NO | Charlie Durkee 25-yard field goal | Tied 13–13 |
| 3 | | LA | Dick Bass 13-yard rush (Bruce Gossett kick) | LA 20–13 |
| 4 | | LA | Les Josephson 15-yard pass from Roman Gabriel (Bruce Gossett kick) | LA 27–13 |
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Week 2: vs. Washington Redskins
edit
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
• Redskins |
6 |
14 | 0 | 10 |
30 |
Saints |
3 |
7 | 0 | 0 |
10 |
- Date: Sunday, September 24
- Location: Tulane Stadium, New Orleans, Louisiana
- Game start: 1:30 p.m. CT
- Game attendance: 74,937
- Game weather: 72 °F (22 °C), relative humidity 63%, wind 6 mph (9.7 km/h)
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Week 3: vs. Cleveland Browns
edit
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
• Browns |
7 |
7 | 14 | 14 |
42 |
Saints |
0 |
7 | 0 | 0 |
7 |
- Date: Sunday, October 1
- Location: Tulane Stadium, New Orleans, Louisiana
- Game start: 1:30 p.m. CT
- Game attendance: 77,045
- Game weather: 61 °F (16 °C), relative humidity 68%, wind 8 mph (13 km/h)
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Scoring summary |
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| 1 | | CLE | Paul Warfield 18-yard pass from Frank Ryan (Lou Groza kick) | CLE 7–0 |
| 2 | | NO | Jim Taylor 2-yard rush (Charlie Durkee kick) | Tied 7–7 |
| 2 | | CLE | Ernie Green 41-yard pass from Frank Ryan (Lou Groza kick) | CLE 14–7 |
| 3 | | CLE | Leroy Kelly 1-yard rush (Lou Groza kick) | CLE 21–7 |
| 3 | | CLE | Ernie Green 2-yard rush (Lou Groza kick) | CLE 28–0 |
| 4 | | CLE | Paul Warfield 49-yard pass from Frank Ryan (Lou Groza kick) | CLE 35–7 |
| 4 | | CLE | Ralph Smith offensive fumble recovery in end zone (Lou Groza kick) | CLE 42–7 |
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Week 4: at New York Giants
edit
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Saints |
7 |
7 | 7 | 0 |
21 |
• Giants |
7 |
7 | 6 | 7 |
27 |
|
|
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Week 5: at Dallas Cowboys
edit
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Saints |
0 |
7 | 3 | 0 |
10 |
• Cowboys |
7 |
7 | 0 | 0 |
14 |
- Date: Sunday, October 15
- Location: Cotton Bowl, Dallas, Texas
- Game start: 1:35 p.m. CT
- Game attendance: 64,128
- Game weather: 72 °F (22 °C), relative humidity 83%, wind 13 mph (21 km/h)
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Week 6: at San Francisco 49ers
edit
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Saints |
0 |
6 | 7 | 0 |
13 |
• 49ers |
3 |
7 | 7 | 10 |
27 |
|
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Week 7: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
edit
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
• Steelers |
0 |
0 | 0 | 14 |
14 |
Saints |
3 |
7 | 0 | 0 |
10 |
- Date: Sunday, October 29
- Location: Tulane Stadium, New Orleans, Louisiana
- Game start: 1:30 p.m. CT
- Game attendance: 68,911
- Game weather: 67 °F (19 °C), relative humidity 75%, wind 12 mph (19 km/h)
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Week 8: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
edit
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Eagles |
0 |
10 | 0 | 14 |
24 |
• Saints |
7 |
7 | 10 | 7 |
31 |
- Date: Sunday, November 5
- Location: Tulane Stadium, New Orleans, Louisiana
- Game start: 1:30 p.m. CT
- Game attendance: 59,596
- Game weather: 50 °F (10 °C), relative humidity 61%, wind 12 mph (19 km/h)
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Scoring summary |
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| 1 | | NO | Walter Roberts 91-yard kickoff return (Charlie Durkee kick) | NO 7–0 |
| 2 | | NO | Walter Roberts 27-yard offensive fumble return (Charlie Durkee kick) | NO 14–0 |
| 2 | | PHI | Sam Baker 41-yard field goal | NO 14–3 |
| 2 | | PHI | Jim Kelly 22-yard pass from Norm Snead (Sam Baker kick) | NO 14–10 |
| 3 | | NO | Charlie Durkee 12-yard field goal | NO 17–10 |
| 3 | | NO | Dave Whitsell 41-yard interception return (Charlie Durkee kick) | NO 24–10 |
| 4 | | PHI | Gary Ballman 14-yard pass from Norm Snead (Sam Baker kick) | NO 24–17 |
| 4 | | NO | Walter Roberts 49-yard pass from Gary Cuozzo (Charlie Durkee kick) | NO 31–17 |
| 4 | | PHI | Timmy Brown 33-yard pass from Norm Snead (Sam Baker kick) | NO 31–24 |
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Week 9: vs. Dallas Cowboys
edit
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
• Cowboys |
7 |
7 | 10 | 3 |
27 |
Saints |
7 |
0 | 3 | 0 |
10 |
- Date: Sunday, November 12
- Location: Tulane Stadium, New Orleans, Louisiana
- Game start: 1:00 p.m. CT
- Game attendance: 83,437
- Game weather: 65 °F (18 °C), relative humidity 88%, wind 6 mph (9.7 km/h)
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Week 10: at Philadelphia Eagles
edit
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Saints |
0 |
7 | 0 | 14 |
21 |
• Eagles |
3 |
28 | 10 | 7 |
48 |
|
|
Scoring summary |
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| 1 | | PHI | Sam Baker 21-yard field goal | PHI 3–0 |
| 2 | | PHI | Ben Hawkins 10-yard pass from Norm Snead (Sam Baker kick) | PHI 10–0 |
| 2 | | NO | Danny Abramowicz 22-yard pass from Gary Cuozzo (Charlie Durkee kick) | PHI 10–7 |
| 2 | | PHI | Tom Woodeshick 5-yard rush (Sam Baker kick) | PHI 17–7 |
| 2 | | PHI | Jim Kelly 35-yard pass from Norm Snead (Sam Baker kick) | PHI 24–7 |
| 2 | | PHI | Tom Woodeshick 13-yard pass from Norm Snead (Sam Baker kick) | PHI 31–7 |
| 3 | | PHI | Ben Hawkins 19-yard pass from Norm Snead (Sam Baker kick) | PHI 38–7 |
| 3 | | PHI | Sam Baker 37-yard field goal | PHI 41–7 |
| 4 | | PHI | Izzy Lang 15-yard pass from King Hill (Sam Baker kick) | PHI 48–7 |
| 4 | | NO | Don McCall 11-yard pass from Billy Kilmer (Charlie Durkee kick) | PHI 48–14 |
| 4 | | NO | Danny Abramowicz 1-yard pass from Billy Kilmer (Ted Davis kick) | PHI 48–21 |
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Week 11: vs. Atlanta Falcons
edit
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Falcons |
0 |
21 | 0 | 3 |
24 |
• Saints |
3 |
7 | 7 | 10 |
27 |
- Date: Sunday, November 26
- Location: Tulane Stadium, New Orleans, Louisiana
- Game start: 1:00 p.m. CT
- Game attendance: 83,437
- Game weather: 72 °F (22 °C), relative humidity 84%, wind 10 mph (16 km/h)
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Week 12: at St. Louis Cardinals
edit
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Saints |
3 |
3 | 7 | 7 |
20 |
• Cardinals |
7 |
0 | 10 | 14 |
31 |
|
|
Scoring summary |
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| 1 | | NO | Charlie Durkee 41-yard field goal | NO 3–0 |
| 1 | | STL | Johnny Roland 54-yard rush (Jim Bakken kick) | STL 7–3 |
| 2 | | NO | Charlie Durkee 16-yard field goal | STL 7–6 |
| 3 | | STL | Jackie Smith 20-yard pass from Jim Hart (Jim Bakken kick) | STL 14–6 |
| 3 | | NO | Billy Kilmer 1-yard rush (Charlie Durkee kick) | STL 14–13 |
| 3 | | STL | Jim Bakken 27-yard field goal | STL 17–13 |
| 4 | | STL | Prentice Gautt 19-yard rush (Jim Bakken kick) | STL 24–13 |
| 4 | | STL | Jackie Smith 76-yard pass from Jim Hart (Jim Bakken) | STL 31–13 |
| 4 | | NO | Charlie Brown 4-yard rush (Charlie Durkee kick) | STL 31–20 |
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Week 13: at Baltimore Colts
edit
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Saints |
0 |
0 | 10 | 0 |
10 |
• Colts |
7 |
10 | 3 | 10 |
30 |
- Date: Sunday, December 10
- Location: Memorial Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland
- Game start: 2:05 p.m. ET
- Game attendance: 60,238
- Game weather: 40 °F (4 °C), relative humidity 78%, wind 14 mph (23 km/h)
|
|
Scoring summary |
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| 1 | | BAL | Tony Lorick 1-yard rush (Lou Michaels kick) | BAL 7–0 |
| 2 | | BAL | Lou Michaels 35-yard field goal | BAL 10–0 |
| 2 | | BAL | Tom Matte 2-yard rush (Lou Michaels kick) | BAL 17–0 |
| 3 | | NO | Charlie Durkee 35-yard field goal | BAL 17–3 |
| 3 | | BAL | Lou Michaels 21-yard field goal | BAL 20–3 |
| 3 | | NO | Charlie Brown 5-yard rush (Charlie Durkee kick) | BAL 20–10 |
| 4 | | BAL | Lou Michaels 17-yard field goal | BAL 23–10 |
| 4 | | BAL | Jerry Hill 1-yard rush (Lou Michaels kick) | BAL 30–10 |
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Week 14: at Washington Redskins
edit
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
• Saints |
0 |
7 | 9 | 14 |
30 |
Redskins |
0 |
0 | 7 | 7 |
14 |
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Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.
- ^ a b When Pride Still Mattered, David Maraniss, p. 407, Simon & Schuster, 1999, ISBN 978-0-684-84418-3
- ^ a b When Pride Still Mattered, David Maraniss, p. 408, Simon & Schuster, 1999, ISBN 978-0-684-84418-3
- ^ "NFL Players | Past & Current NFL Players".