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2002 New Orleans Saints season

NFL team season

Field	Value
team	New Orleans Saints
year	2002
record	9–7
division_place	3rd NFC South
coach	Jim Haslett
off_coach	Mike McCarthy
def_coach	Rick Venturi
general_manager	Mickey Loomis
stadium	Louisiana Superdome
playoffs	Did not qualify
pro bowlers	Deuce McAllister (RB)
Joe Horn (WR)
Michael Lewis (KR)
Fred McAfee (ST)
AP All-pros	Deuce McAllister (1st team)
Michael Lewis (ST)
Fred McAfee (ST)
shortnavlink	Saints seasons

Joe Horn (WR) Michael Lewis (KR) Fred McAfee (ST) | AP All-pros = Deuce McAllister (1st team) Michael Lewis (ST) Fred McAfee (ST)

The 2002 season was the New Orleans Saints' 36th in the National Football League (NFL), their 27th playing home games at the Louisiana Superdome, and third under head coach Jim Haslett. They improved upon their previous season's performance of 7–9, winning nine games. Despite the winning season, and ranking third in total offense in 2002, the team failed to qualify for the playoffs for the ninth time in the last 10 seasons. As of 2022, this remains the only season in which the Saints have worn their gold jerseys.

A bright moment during the season for the Saints was sweeping the eventual Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Those two wins were almost guaranteed to make New Orleans a playoff team; however, three consecutive losses, all to losing teams, including one to the 1–13 Cincinnati Bengals, knocked New Orleans out of playoff contention.

Offseason

Additions		Subtractions
WR Jerome Pathon (Colts)
TE David Sloan (Lions)
CB Ken Irvin (Bills)
WR Jake Reed (Vikings)
T Victor Riley (Chiefs)
CB Dale Carter (Vikings)

NFL draft

Main article: 2002 NFL draft

Undrafted free agents

Player	Position	College
Jeff Reed	Placekicker	North Carolina

Personnel

Staff

Owner – Tom Benson
Executive vice president/general manager – Mickey Loomis
Senior football administrator – Russ Ball
Director of player personnel – Rick Mueller
College scouting coordinator – Rick Thompson
Head coach – Jim Haslett
Assistant head coach/secondary – Mike Riley
Offensive coordinator – Mike McCarthy
Quarterbacks – Mike Sheppard
Running backs – Dave Atkins
Wide receivers – Hubbard Alexander
Assistant wide receivers – Jim Hostler
Tight ends – Bob Palcic
Offensive line – Jack Henry
Offensive assistant/quality control – Danny Langsdorf
Defensive coordinator – Rick Venturi
Defensive line – Sam Clancy
Linebackers – Winston Moss
Assistant secondary – Joe Baker
Defensive assistant/quality control – Greg Brown
Special teams – Al Everest
Strength and conditioning – Rock Gullickson
Assistant strength and conditioning – Evan Marcus

Roster

Regular season

Schedule

Under the NFL's new scheduling formula, the Saints' non-divisional conference opponents in 2002 were primarily from the NFC North, although they also played former divisional rival the San Francisco 49ers from the NFC West, and the Washington Redskins from the NFC East. Their non-conference opponents were from the AFC North.

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record
September 8	at [Tampa Bay Buccaneers](2002-tampa-bay-buccaneers-season)	W 26–20 (OT)	1–0	65,554
September 15	[Green Bay Packers](2002-green-bay-packers-season)	W 35–20	2–0	67,958
September 22	at [Chicago Bears](2002-chicago-bears-season)	W 29–23	3–0	63,216
September 29	at [Detroit Lions](2002-detroit-lions-season)	L 21–26	3–1	60,023
October 6	[Pittsburgh Steelers](2002-pittsburgh-steelers-season)	W 32–29	4–1	67,734
October 13	at [Washington Redskins](2002-washington-redskins-season)	W 43–27	5–1	80,768
October 20	[San Francisco 49ers](2002-san-francisco-49ers-season)	W 35–27	6–1	67,903
October 27	[Atlanta Falcons](2002-atlanta-falcons-season)	L 35–37	6–2	67,883
Bye
November 10	at [Carolina Panthers](2002-carolina-panthers-season)	W 34–24	7–2	72,566
November 17	at [Atlanta Falcons](2002-atlanta-falcons-season)	L 17–24	7–3	70,382
November 24	[Cleveland Browns](2002-cleveland-browns-season)	L 15–24	7–4	68,295
December 1	[Tampa Bay Buccaneers](2002-tampa-bay-buccaneers-season)	W 23–20	8–4	68,226
December 8	at [Baltimore Ravens](2002-baltimore-ravens-season)	W 37–25	9–4	69,334
December 15	[Minnesota Vikings](2002-minnesota-vikings-season)	L 31–32	9–5	67,851
December 22	at [Cincinnati Bengals](2002-cincinnati-bengals-season)	L 13–20	9–6	43,544
December 29	[Carolina Panthers](2002-carolina-panthers-season)	L 6–10	9–7	66,946

Game summaries

Week 2: vs. Green Bay Packers

First quarter

NO – Deuce McAllister 4-yard run (John Carney kick), 9:19. ''Saints 7–0. '''Drive: 11 plays, 68 yards, 5:41.''''' Second quarter
GB – Ryan Longwell 27-yard field goal, 10:23. ''Saints 7–3. '''Drive: 15 plays, 71 yards, 7:31.'''''
NO – Jerome Pathon 5-yard pass from Aaron Brooks (John Carney kick), 5:12. ''Saints 14–3. '''Drive: 5 plays, 21 yards, 2:53.'''''
NO – Donte Stallworth 34-yard pass from Aaron Brooks (John Carney kick), 2:03. ''Saints 21–3. '''Drive: 4 plays, 52 yards, 1:16.'''''
GB – Terry Glenn 14-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick), 0:40. ''Saints 21–10. '''Drive: 1 play, 14 yards, 0:08.''''' Third quarter
NO – Keyuo Craver 28-yard fumble return (John Carney kick), 13:53. Saints 28–10.
GB – Donald Driver 26-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick), 0:31. ''Saints 28–17. '''Drive: 6 plays, 71 yards, 2:31.''''' Fourth quarter
GB – Ryan Longwell 36-yard field goal, 4:31. ''Saints 28–20. '''Drive: 12 plays, 61 yards, 6:03.'''''
NO – Deuce McAllister 2-yard run (John Carney kick), 2:00. ''Saints 35–20. '''Drive: 4 plays, 73 yards, 2:31.''''' Top passers
GB – Brett Favre – 29/44, 270 yards, 2 TD, INT
NO – Aaron Brooks – 16/28, 217 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT Top rushers
GB – Ahman Green – 17 rushes, 81 yards
NO – Deuce McAllister – 21 rushes, 123 yards, 2 TD Top receivers
GB – Terry Glenn – 9 receptions, 81 yards, TD
NO – Joe Horn – 6 receptions, 120 yards

Week 3: at Chicago Bears

First quarter

CHI – Paul Edinger 31-yard field goal, 7:36. ''Bears 3–0. '''Drive: 10 plays, 38 yards, 4:01.'''''
CHI – Dez White 10-yard pass from Jim Miller (Paul Edinger kick), 2:47. ''Bears 10–0. '''Drive: 6 plays, 52 yards, 3:10.''''' Second quarter
CHI – Marty Booker 22-yard pass from Jim Miller (Paul Edinger kick), 13:35. ''Bears 17–0. '''Drive: 6 plays, 56 yards, 3:05.'''''
CHI – Paul Edinger 25-yard field goal, 11:47. ''Bears 20–0. '''Drive: 4 plays, 6 yards, 1:30.'''''
NO – Jerome Pathon 16-yard pass from Aaron Brooks (John Carney kick), 7:21. ''Bears 20–7. '''Drive: 8 plays, 84 yards, 4:26.'''''
NO – Aaron Brooks 7-yard run (John Carney kick), 6:23. ''Bears 20–14. '''Drive: 2 plays, 8 yards, 0:58.''''' Third quarter
NO – Joe Horn 5-yard pass from Aaron Brooks (John Carney kick), 8:15. ''Saints 21–20. '''Drive: 12 plays, 65 yards, 6:45.''''' Fourth quarter
CHI – Paul Edinger 25-yard field goal, 8:43. ''Bears 23–21. '''Drive: 11 plays, 70 yards, 5:59.'''''
NO – Donte Stallworth 29-yard pass from Aaron Brooks (Aaron Brooks run), 1:11. ''Saints 29–23. '''Drive: 7 plays, 73 yards, 2:01.''''' Top passers
NO – Aaron Brooks – 22/34, 233 yards, 3 TD, INT
CHI – Jim Miller – 26/40, 236 yards, 2 TD, INT Top rushers
NO – Deuce McAllister – 17 rushes, 45 yards
CHI – Anthony Thomas – 27 rushes, 111 yards Top receivers
NO – Jerome Pathon – 5 receptions, 71 yards, TD
CHI – Marty Booker – 8 receptions, 97 yards, TD

Week 4: at Detroit Lions

First quarter

DET – Jason Hanson 23-yard field goal, 12:03. ''Lions 3–0. '''Drive: 6 plays, 17 yards, 2:57.'''''
DET – James Hall 22-yard fumble return (Jason Hanson kick), 10:31. Lions 10–0.
DET – Jason Hanson 34-yard field goal, 5:41. ''Lions 13–0. '''Drive: 7 plays, 36 yards, 3:42.''''' Second quarter
DET – Bill Schroeder 38-yard pass from Joey Harrington (Jason Hanson kick), 4:53. ''Lions 20–0. '''Drive: 3 plays, 80 yards, 1:30.'''''
NO – Donte Stallworth 4-yard pass from Ahmad Brooks (John Carney kick), 1:25. ''Lions 20–7. '''Drive: 12 plays, 91 yards, 3:28.''''' Third quarter
DET – Jason Hanson 23-yard field goal, 7:24. ''Lions 23–7. '''Drive: 7 plays, 36 yards, 2:27.'''''
NO – Deuce McAllister 12-yard run (Ahmad Brooks run), 3:41. ''Lions 23–15. '''Drive: 7 plays, 72 yards, 3:43.''''' Fourth quarter
DET – Jason Hanson 38-yard field goal, 11:47. ''Lions 26–15. '''Drive: 7 plays, 17 yards, 2:58.'''''
NO – Jerome Pathon 6-yard pass from Ahmad Brooks (Run Failed), 3:41. ''Lions 26–21. '''Drive: 9 plays, 82 yards, 2:22.''''' Top passers
NO – Ahmad Brooks – 27/48, 269 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
DET – Joey Harrington – 20/35, 267 yards, TD Top rushers
NO – Deuce McAllister – 12 rushes, 61 yards, TD
DET – James Stewart – 18 rushes, 65 yards Top receivers
NO – Joe Horn – 6 receptions, 87 yards
DET – Az-Zahir Hakim – 3 receptions, 98 yards

Week 15: vs. Minnesota Vikings

First quarter

NO – John Carney 40-yard field goal, 11:50. ''Saints 3–0. '''Drive: 5 plays, 17 yards, 3:10.'''''
MIN – Daunte Culpepper 4-yard run (Gary Anderson kick), 8:21. ''Vikings 7–3. '''Drive: 6 plays, 69 yards, 3:29.'''''
MIN – Daunte Culpepper 6-yard run (Gary Anderson kick), 1:01. ''Vikings 14–3. '''Drive: 11 plays, 71 yards, 5:42.'''''
NO – Michael Lewis 97-yard kickoff return (John Carney kick), 0:48. ''Vikings 14–10. '''Drive: 0 plays, 0 yards, 0:13.''''' Second quarter
MIN – Gary Anderson 41-yard field goal, 11:59. ''Vikings 17–10. '''Drive: 9 plays, 57 yards, 3:49.'''''
NO – John Carney 34-yard field goal, 5:25. ''Vikings 17–13. '''Drive: 12 plays, 44 yards, 6:34.'''''
NO – Jake Reed 35-yard pass from Aaron Brooks (John Carney kick), 0:53. ''Saints 20–17. '''Drive: 8 plays, 65 yards, 1:28.'''''
MIN – Randy Moss 33-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 0:12. ''Vikings 24–20. '''Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, 0:41.''''' Third quarter
NO – John Carney 27-yard field goal, 0:55. ''Vikings 24–23. '''Drive: 14 plays, 75 yards, 8:06.''''' Fourth quarter
NO – Deuce McAllister 17-yard pass from Aaron Brooks (Aaron Brooks–Joe Horn pass), 5:21. ''Saints 31–24. '''Drive: 9 plays, 74 yards, 4:35.'''''
MIN – Randy Moss 13-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Daunte Culpepper run), 0:05. ''Vikings 32–31. '''Drive: 13 plays, 73 yards, 5:16.''''' Top passers
MIN – Daunte Culpepper – 26/36, 312 yards, 2 TD
NO – Aaron Brooks – 21/33, 255 yards, 2 TD Top rushers
MIN – Daunte Culpepper – 7 rushes, 73 yards, 2 TD
NO – Deuce McAllister – 18 rushes, 69 yards Top receivers
MIN – Randy Moss – 11 receptions, 113 yards, 2 TD
NO – Joe Horn – 5 receptions, 60 yards

Standings

Division

Conference

References

[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nor/2002.htm 2002 New Orleans Saints]
"2002 New Orleans Saints Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com.

Info: Wikipedia Source

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