Throwback 10 - Week 7

Each week throughout the 2015 NFL Season, ProFootballHOF.com will preserve some history by taking a look back at a matchup from the weekend’s schedule.

The New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts meet this weekend in a cross-conference battle for the first time since 2011. The Colts (3-3) look to add some cushion to their AFC South Division lead, while Saints quarterback Drew Brees returns to the state where he played his college football from 1997-2000. During his time in West Lafayette at Purdue, Brees set Big Ten records for pass attempts (1,678), pass completions (1,026), passing yards (11,792), passing touchdowns (90) and total offense (12,692).  He will go head-to-head with the Colts Andrew Luck on Sunday.

To help put this Super Bowl XLIV rematch in perspective, here are ten quick historical notes about the Saints-Colts series.

1.

The contest marks the 12th all-time regular season meeting between the teams. The Saints hold a slim 6-5 series lead.

2.

The Saints also hold the postseason advantage by winning Super Bowl XLIV 31-17 on Feb. 7, 2010.

3.

Brees was his typical efficient self during Super Bowl XLIV completing 32 of 39 passes for 288 yards and 2 touchdowns. The 32 pass completions and his 82.1 completion percentage are both opponents’ records allowed by the Colts in the postseason.

4.

The last time these two teams matched up, Brees threw for 325 yards and 5 TDs as New Orleans routed Indianapolis 62-7 on Oct. 23, 2011. The 62 points are the most points ever scored by the Saints and the most points ever allowed by the Colts.

5.

The Colts racked up a series-high 248 rushing yards during a tightly contested 14-10 victory on Sept. 30, 1973. Although the Saints held Colts QB Bert Jones to under 100 yards passing and forced 4 interceptions, the Colts had two rushers (Lydell Mitchell and Don McCauley) top 100 yards as they secured their third win in a row against the Saints to start the series.

6.

The Saints first victory in the series came at the Hoosier Dome on Oct. 12, 1986. Despite 3 INTs by quarterback Dave Wilson, the Saints leaned on running back Rueben Mayes, who had 108 yards on 22 carries, and led New Orleans to a 17-14 victory.

7.

The Colts scored the third most points in franchise history (55) against the Saints in New Orleans on Sept. 28, 2003. Peyton Manning torched the Saints defense completing 20 of his 25 passes for 314 yards and 6 touchdowns, coasting to a 55-21 victory. 

8.

The only overtime game played in this series occurred in 1998 during Peyton Manning’s rookie season. The Saints trailed 13-6 in the fourth quarter following a 78-yard touchdown pass from Manning to Gold Jacket Marshall Faulk. It was Saints QB Danny Wuerffel who led the comeback with a 15-yard TD pass to Andre Hastings to tie the game with just 45 seconds remaining in regulation. Wuerffel finished the Colts off 19-13 with a 33-yard strike to Cam Cleeland in OT.

9.

The Colts and Saints began the 2007 regular season in the annual Thursday Night Kickoff game. Indianapolis was the defending NFL champions and played like it. Following a Manning to Marvin Harrison touchdown in the first quarter, the Saints managed to get back into the game with Jason David 55-yard fumble return for a touchdown. The game was tied 10-10 at the half, but the Colts came out and dominated the second half with 31 unanswered points.  

10.

Lucas Oil Stadium will be the sixth stadium to host a game in this series. The others include Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Tulane Stadium, the Hoosier Dome, the Superdome and Dolphins Stadium.