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2004 SAINTS PRESEASON OPPONENTS ANNOUNCED
March 22, 2004
New Orleans Saints

For the second straight year, the New Orleans Saints will kickoff the preseason with a home game in the Superdome, it was announced today by the NFL. The Saints host the New York Jets in the preseason opener in Week 1 (Aug. 12-16), marking only the third time in the last 13 years that New Orleans has started its exhibition schedule at home. New Orleans also opened the 2003 preseason at home in a Superdome clash vs. the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Saints defeated the Jets, 22-17, at Giants Stadium in the second preseason game of 2003 (Aug. 16). New Orleans is 3-4 all-time against New York in exhibition games.

In Week 2 of the 2004 preseason (Aug. 19-23), the Saints will travel to the Green Bay Packers, who are the defending NFC North Champions and were 10-6 in 2003. New Orleans is 2-5 all-time against the Packers during the preseason. It will be the team's first game at refurbished Lambeau Field, which was completed at the start of last season.

The Saints will travel to the Chicago Bears in Week 3 (Aug. 26-30) for the club's initial appearance at refurbished Soldier Field. New Orleans has posted a 5-1 (.833) preseason record vs. the Bears. The Saints defeated the Bears last year, 20-13, in a regular season contest on Oct. 12.

Just like in 2003, New Orleans will close the preseason at home vs. the Miami Dolphins in Week 4 (Sept. 2-5). The Saints have a 6-10 record all-time against Miami in preseason contests, including the Dolphins' 24-10 victory at the Superdome on Aug. 28, 2003.