NFLMeta
Los Angeles Rams
St. Louis Rams
@
New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
Date
December 30, 2000
Kickoff
04:30 PM ET
01:30 PM PT
Score
LAR 28 — NO 31 F

Stadium

Capacity: 73,208

Inaugurated: 01/01/1975

Broadcast

Announcers

Al Michaels (PBP), Dan Dierdorf, Eric Dickerson (color)

Summary

The New Orleans Saints captured their first-ever playoff victory in franchise history, defeating the defending Super Bowl champion St. Louis Rams 31-28 in one of the most thrilling Wild Card games ever played. After falling behind 7-0 on a Kurt Warner touchdown pass to Isaac Bruce, the Saints exploded for 31 unanswered points behind quarterback Aaron Brooks, who threw three touchdown passes to Willie Jackson. The Saints' defense harassed Warner throughout, with linebacker La'Roi Glover applying constant pressure and safety Sammy Knight recording two interceptions. Leading 31-7 entering the fourth quarter, New Orleans appeared cruising to victory. However, the "Greatest Show on Turf" stormed back with 21 unanswered points to cut the deficit to 31-28 with under two minutes remaining. On the Rams' final desperation drive, wide receiver Az-Zahir Hakim dropped a crucial pass, sealing the Saints' historic first playoff win and stunning the football world.

Expected Points Summary

STL
Total-5.00
Off-4.07
Def-2.05
ST-3.00
NO
Total5.00
Off2.05
Def4.07
ST3.00

Team Stats

Stat STL NO
First Downs 17 17
Rush-Yds-TDs 16-34-1 32-50-0
Cmp-Att-Yd-TD-INT 24-40-365-3-3 16-29-266-4-1
Sacked-Yards 2-15 2-15
Net Pass Yards 350 251
Total Yards 384 301
Fumbles-Lost 3-2 4-1
Turnovers 5 2
Penalties-Yards 9-60 5-40
Third Down Conv. 7-12 5-13
Fourth Down Conv. 0-0 0-0
Time of Possession 28:29 31:31

Expected Points Detail

STL
Offense
Pass: 5.20
Rush: -4.56
TO: -20.46
Defense
Pass: -15.20
Rush: 11.69
TO: 3.67
Returns
KO: -2.56
KR: 0.91
P: 0.72
PR: -1.56
FG/XP: -0.51
NO
Offense
Pass: 15.20
Rush: -11.69
TO: -3.67
Defense
Pass: -5.20
Rush: 4.56
TO: 20.46
Returns
KO: -0.91
KR: 2.56
P: 1.56
PR: -0.72
FG/XP: 0.51

Officials

Referee Gerry Austin
Umpire Chad Brown
Head Linesman Terry Gierke
Line Judge Ron Baynes
Back Judge Bill Schmitz
Side Judge Dave Wyant
Field Judge Paul Baetz

Boxscore Team Stats

Stat STL NO
First Downs 17 17
Rush-Yds-TDs 16-34-1 32-50-0
Cmp-Att-Yd-TD-INT 24-40-365-3-3 16-29-266-4-1
Sacked-Yards 2-15 2-15
Net Pass Yards 350 251
Total Yards 384 301
Fumbles-Lost 3-2 4-1
Turnovers 5 2
Penalties-Yards 9-60 5-40
Third Down Conv. 7-12 5-13
Fourth Down Conv. 0-0 0-0
Time of Possession 28:29 31:31

Scoring Summary

Q Team Detail Score
1 Rams Isaac Bruce 17 yard pass from Kurt Warner (Jeff Wilkins kick) 7-0
2 Saints Robert Wilson 12 yard pass from Aaron Brooks (Doug Brien kick) 7-7
— Saints Doug Brien 33 yard field goal 7-10
3 Saints Willie Jackson 10 yard pass from Aaron Brooks (Doug Brien kick) 7-17
4 Saints Willie Jackson 49 yard pass from Aaron Brooks (Doug Brien kick) 7-24
— Saints Willie Jackson 16 yard pass from Aaron Brooks (Doug Brien kick) 7-31
— Rams Ricky Proehl 17 yard pass from Kurt Warner 13-31
— Rams Marshall Faulk 25 yard pass from Kurt Warner (Jeff Wilkins kick) 20-31
— Rams Kurt Warner 5 yard rush (Marshall Faulk pass from Kurt Warner) 28-31

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