Remember this game (from '08)

[hepcat]

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2008101901/2008/REG7/saints@panthers/recap

It was over when ...

Panthers CB Ken Lucas intercepted Drew Brees midway through the third quarter and returned it to the New Orleans 18-yard line. Six plays later, Carolina RB DeAngelo Williams scored on a 4-yard touchdown catch to give the Panthers a commanding 27-7 lead.

Game ball

Panthers DE Julius Peppers applied constant pressure to Brees and kept the NFL's leading passer off-balance the entire game. Peppers' one sack belied the impact he had as the Panthers' defensive leader.

Key stat

Down 27-7 and desperately trying to claw back into the game, the Saints' short-yardage struggles reappeared. They were stuffed twice on fourth-down runs, preventing them from ever getting within striking distance.

Noteworthy

Reggie Bush did not play in the second half after injuring his knee on a punt return that ended the first half. Saints coach Sean Payton said Bush will not make the team's trip to London this week. ... Since Payton became the Saints coach in 2006, his team is just 1-4 against the rival Panthers. ... Steve Smith has scored a touchdown in six of his past seven games against the Saints. ... Panthers QB Jake Delhomme is 7-2 against his former team.

Full circle.

[PhillyB]

[SOJA]

and then they won a superbowl the next year

[The Saltman]

:sad:

[hepcat]

and then they won a superbowl the next year

They finished that season 8-8 and had a 5000 yard passer in Drew Brees.

[Seltzer]

The game yesterday was more like the Panthers- Saints game in 2005 post- Katrina when we played them in Baton Rouge (LSU) b/c of the damage in New Orleans. Back then, you knew the Panthers were going to be beat the Saints soundly and you kind of felt bad for the Saints b/c they were so terrible.

Leaving the game yesterday was surreal. Saints fans are generally classier than ATL or TB but usually there is at least some junk talking. Almost dead silence, like the people leaving had just witnessed a car crash and were just glad they weren't involved...

I think the New Orleans fans just straight-up felt bad for us and knew they would be no joy in kicking us when we were this down...

If there is any silver lining, the Saints went from the 3-13 disaster of 2005 to the NFC Championship Game in 2006...

However, the did have a franchise QB somehow make his way to them after being passed up by other teams... We can only hope to be so lucky...

[SorthNarolina]

yeah that 05 game was pathetic. It was so quiet.

[SOJA]

They finished that season 8-8 and had a 5000 yard passer in Drew Brees.

Hey who said that we can't go 8-8 and Pike can't have a couple 700 yard games

[CLTPanther]

We sort of are what we are

[cdandi1]

those were the days..:sigh: