Week 3: "Rebirth"

This Week 3 regular season game on September 25, 2006 between the Falcons and Saints was about much more than football. One year earlier, Hurricane Katrina had caused unimaginable destruction and altered countless lives; the natural disaster had also impacted New Orleans’ beloved football team, which in 2005 couldn’t play at its damaged home stadium and went 3-13. Now, in its opener in the renovated Superdome on Monday Night Football, the Saints dominated a battle of 2-0 teams and produced some much-needed euphoria for their fans. After a pregame show featuring musical performances by U2 and Green Day, and a coin flip by former president George H.W. Bush, a raucous home crowd of 70,003 watched the Saints return a blocked punt by special teams standout, Steve Gleason, for a touchdown less than two minutes into the game. New Orleans led, 14-3, after a quarter and then its defense took control, shutting out the Michael Vick-led Falcons the rest of the way and winning, 23-3. “I never in my life heard a crowd roar so loud,” Vick said after the game. “They deserve it.” The Saints finished the season 10-6, a massive turnaround – and won the franchise’s first Super Bowl three years later. ― NFL 100

Box Score: Football Reference

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