November 27, 2022 8:36 pm CT
It’s been a long, long time since the New Orleans Saints were last shut out. They put points on the board in 332 consecutive games — which had been the longest active streak in the NFL. But the San Francisco 49ers snapped that streak on Sunday, and now the Saints are left to pick up the pieces. Annoyingly, that isn’t even an NFL record. The 49ers themselves set it with 420 games played without a shutout.
So what happened in New Orleans’ last shutout? To give you some context, it happened on Jan. 6, 2002 at the end of the 2001 regular season. Jim Haslett coached the team, and Aaron Brooks was the Saints quarterback at the time, with Drew Brees closing out his rookie year with the Chargers (who played in San Diego at the time). At the time, this was a game between two rivals in the old NFC West; the NFC South would be founded a year later. Sean Payton was finishing out his second season as the New York Giants offensive coordinator and Dennis Allen was busy working the secondary at Tulsa, his first full-time coaching job. It capped a four-game losing streak that put the Saints at 7-9, eliminating them from the playoffs.
And of course it was the same 49ers team who beat them in a 38-nothing shutout at home. Terrell Owens started the game with two long touchdown catches from Jeff Garcia (of 56 and 60 yards, both in the first quarter) and things didn’t get much easier from there. The Niners racked up 407 yards of offense while limiting New Orleans to just 126 yards, intercepting Brooks four times and jarring loose four fumbles (three of them from Ricky Williams). San Francisco improved to 12-4 on the year but got knocked out of the playoffs a week later.
Things might be headed in a similar direction all these years later. The Saints are long shots of reaching the playoffs, while the 49ers look like a possible Super Bowl contender. There are still games left to play and decisions to make, but that’s where we are. History doesn’t always repeat itself — but it often rhymes.
As a seasoned NFL analyst with an extensive background in football history, I'm well-versed in the intricacies of the game, including notable streaks, team dynamics, and historical matchups. The recent event you mentioned involving the New Orleans Saints' long-standing streak being snapped by the San Francisco 49ers on November 27, 2022, is a fascinating development in the league.
The Saints had an impressive 332-game streak of scoring points in consecutive games, marking the longest active streak in the NFL until the 49ers ended it. Notably, the 49ers had previously set the NFL record with an even more impressive 420-game streak without being shut out. This achievement underscores the historical significance of the 49ers as a team with a formidable offensive presence.
To provide context to the Saints' last shutout, it occurred on January 6, 2002, at the end of the 2001 regular season. Jim Haslett was the coach, and Aaron Brooks served as the Saints' quarterback. Notably, Drew Brees was concluding his rookie year with the San Diego Chargers. This shutout took place in a game between two rivals in the old NFC West, predating the establishment of the NFC South, which came into existence a year later.
During that game, the 49ers dominated with a 38-0 shutout victory at home. Terrell Owens played a pivotal role, initiating the game with two long touchdown catches from quarterback Jeff Garcia (56 and 60 yards, both in the first quarter). The 49ers' offense accumulated an impressive 407 yards, while their defense held the Saints to a mere 126 yards. The defensive efforts included intercepting Brooks four times and forcing four fumbles, three of which came from Ricky Williams.
This shutout marked the culmination of a challenging period for the Saints, as it capped a four-game losing streak, leaving them with a 7-9 record and eliminating them from the playoffs. Remarkably, history seems to be echoing itself, as the recent shutout comes at a time when the Saints face playoff uncertainties, while the 49ers emerge as potential Super Bowl contenders.
While there's always room for uncertainty in football, the parallels between these events offer an intriguing narrative. The dynamics of teams, coaching staff, and the ebb and flow of success in the NFL create a compelling story that keeps fans engaged, showcasing the unpredictable nature of the sport.
