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The atmosphere was electric.
Saints win 45 - 14.
The music was booming.
Saints win 45 - 14.
The Superdome was the loudest I had ever heard it in my entire life.
Saints win 45 - 14.


And the New Orleans Saints weren't even on the field yet. But once they were, things got even more wild.


Upon parking and walking toward the Superdome, it was evident that things were going to be over-the-top nuts, but that was merely out in the street. People were dancing and drinking as songs like "Who Dat," "Bless You Boys," and the Ying Yang Twins' "Stand Up and Get Crunk" blared from the speakers of cars and a DJ booth. I knew from that moment on that things were going to be even better then I had imagined.


Upon arriving at the Dome, people were just getting into it. Obviously tailgating is nothing more then a warm-up, but on a chilly and foggy day in New Orleans, that was simply an understatement. Chants of "WHO DAT!" were being screamed from every single direction and we just knew that containing all of this noise in an enclosed Dome was going to be insane. How correct we were.


Our seats were in the Plaza section 117, row 21. We stood right around the 20'yard line maybe 10 rows from the field behind the Cardinals' bench. Not long after that, the Cards made their way out for this Divisional Round playoff game to a chorus of boos. A few hints of white or red were scattered about in a sea of almost total black so a few people clapping for the birds could be found here and there. Not many though.


Then it happened. The inflatable Saints' tunnel was set up in the end zone and it was time as the cheerleaders made a lane and the smoke started to fill up the field. Here the chants began as a low murmur and then escalated into a loud and booming "DDEEEEEEEUUUUUCCCCEEEEEE!" Yes, the Saints were introduced as a team and Deuce McAllister led them out onto the field. Reggie Bush was right beside him running out with a black bat that encouraged the Saints to be physical and "Bring The Wood."


All of the fans were just in complete and total amazement at seeing Deuce on that field again. As if we all needed to be pumped up any more for this game then we already were, but seeing Deuce run out just made it even better. Hell, we all knew he wasn't going to play that day but it didn't matter. I read a number of negative comments from Saints' fans when word got out that Deuce was re-signed but I couldn't find a single one of those nay-sayers in the Dome on Saturday.


The Dome was rocking and rolling with cheers and music. There was even Mardi Gras music (which I can't stand) blaring and it had me dancing around honestly. Our time had come and here we were prepared for the kickoff. Arizona got it and prepared to start at the 30-yard line as the crowd got into a frenzy for our much rested and healed defensive unit. Then running back Tim Hightower made a few moves and...ran 70 yards for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage.


At that point, I turned to the guy behind me and said, "Well damn, they knew how to shut us up right quick."


It was pin drop silent at that point in the Dome, but things would only get better from there and I'll pinpoint some of the better moments:

• Lynell Hamilton getting our first score - Tying up the game and getting the first touchdown showed the Saints were not going to sit back and sulk after a demoralizing first score by the Cards.
• Cards' fumble recovered by Darren Sharper - This was the momentum changer in the game if you ask me. The Cardinals showed they could score quickly but the Saints answered. Coming out for their second possession, Kurt Warner made a clean pass for a big gain only to see Randall Gay perfectly strip the ball from Jerheme Urban and have it picked up by our general, Darren Sharper.
• Shockey's touchdown - Drew Brees had all day to throw this ball and Shockey ran his entire route on a gimpy leg but still enough oommphhh to get open and make a falling down reception. It was caught on camera by a fellow fan named Walker Dupre just a few seats down from me.

• Bush's 46-yard rushing TD and 83-yard punt return TD - Reggie Bush was playing like a man possessed. He played like I had not seen him play since his days at USC. The punt return was just vintage REG-GIE, REG-GIE but that long touchdown was awesome. He didn't run outside, he bounced off tacklers, stayed aggressive, and then turned on the jets. An amazing run that just goes to show you what he can do when proving he isn't a bust. The crowd ate all this up too.
• The Flea-Flicker - Coach Sean Payton is a genius in every sense of the word and we always see that unique playbook come out in full force, but I can't remember the last time I saw a flea-flicker from the Saints. As soon as Pierre Thomas paused at the line, I knew what was coming and looked down field to see Devery Henderson sprinting. Brees put it up, Henderson did a spin to find it, hauled it, and the crowd continued to go nuts.
• Every reception by Marques Colston - Each one seemed more acrobatic and better then the last. Amazing how much the fans love this guy and rightfully so for a late seventh-round pick out of Hofstra.
• Hits, Hits, Hits - The defense was just magnificent out there once the initial run by Hightower became a thing of the past and it showed that they came to play. Sharper was laying the wood big time by nailing anyone that got near him and tried to catch the ball. That one hit on Larry Fitzgerald that jarred the ball loose drew a huge "OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO" from the packed Dome. Let's not forget the hit on Warner from Bobby McCray after Will Smith's interception. Everyone felt bad that he was down, but that hit was a thing of beauty...and legal.

Saints win...45...to 14.


This was honestly a game I will never forget as long as I live. It was a victory that means the Saints will be hosting the NFC Championship game for the first time in franchise history. Either Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings or Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys will be coming into town and even from a totally unbiased opinion...I'm not sure they really want to.
Here is a Saints' team that is healthy and refreshed just like they were at the beginning of the season and playing the same way. That Dome was louder then ever on Saturday and it will be even louder next Sunday. I don't care if they are used to playing in a domed stadium; opposing teams are going to have trouble hearing and concentrating just as Kurt Warner did.


There is an electricity in the air and New Orleans is alive. I don't mean just the team, but the city itself. It doesn't appear to me that this is going to end any time soon and it's not like I would want it to anyway because it is adding to this team with momentum and fan support. One game...just one more game to go and the Saints are in the Super Bowl. Who knows when we may be able to say that again? We've come close before, but not only do we all feel it this time...but we believe it.


Keep an eye out all this week as I dissect the five things we needed to watch for from the Arizona Cardinals and the New Orleans Saints from Saturday's game. There will also be game previews, history, and more as we head into next week's Championship Round. Saturday was a sight for the ages and one that will only be matched by a victory to send the Saints to Miami.


LINKBACK: TheExaminer.com

strato

It was electric on my tv..

RaginCajun83

It was crazy in our section, would of been better if all the groupies and autograph hounds would of left Joe Horn alone

breesfan27

Great article. I couldn't believe how pumped the dome got when Deuce ran out on the field! I was watching it on tv, but it felt like I was there. I even shed a tear when I saw him come out of the tunnel.

Bring on the Vikings!! WHO DAT!

homerj07

I am amazingly hella jelous. It loked good on Tv - BUT I bet it was awesome to be there in person!!

Danny Cox

I can honestly count the number of Saints' games I've been to on both hands even though I've lived here almost my entire life. Just never had many opportunities or the money to do so...but this...this was by far the loudest I had ever heard the Dome period.

I HAVE attended close to thirty LSU games at Tiger Stadium and there is nothing like a Saturday night in Death Valley. But mind you...this was the first time in history I would have spent Saturday night in the Superdome above Death Valley.

And even with less than about 20,000 fans in it...the Dome was still as loud or louder then I've ever heard it in Tiger Stadium. God, it was just so incredible.

Goose bumps the entire day.

Saints and Movies

QBREES9

It looked awesome I bet it was awsome. If could have just one wish. I wish I could be there this weekend.

Budsdrinker

I've been a season ticket holder for 13 years and last night was the loudest game that I ever attended. It was awesome!

nicebush25

I have only been to road games against the jets and bills, but this weekend will be my first game watched from inside the dome. Even from my nosebleed seats i think the experience will probably rank up there with the birth of my son.

st thomas

wait till championship weekend, plastic bottles will start bursting in air gave prof thru the night----o' sorry bout who dats got carried away