| Team: | New Orleans Saints |
| Year: | 2005 |
| Record: | 3–13 |
| Division Place: | 4th NFC South |
| Coach: | Jim Haslett |
| General Manager: | Mickey Loomis |
| Stadium: |
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| Playoffs: | Did not qualify |
| Pro Bowlers: | C LeCharles Bentley |
| Shortnavlink: | Saints seasons |
The 2005 season was the New Orleans Saints' 39th in the National Football League (NFL) and the sixth and final under head coach Jim Haslett.
The season began with the team trying to improve from their 8–8 record from 2004. The Saints played two preseason games in the Louisiana Superdome before being forced to evacuate New Orleans due to Hurricane Katrina. They were forced to play the rest of the season on the road, splitting their games between their temporary headquarters at San Antonio’s Alamodome, and LSU’s Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, and even playing their first home game at Giants Stadium.
The season ended with a 3–13 record, their equal-worst record alongside 1996 and 1999 since their 1–15 1980 season, and the firing of Jim Haslett. He was replaced by Sean Payton the following season.
This was also Aaron Brooks' last quarterback season as he was released during the offseason, thus being replaced by Drew Brees in the same season Sean Payton was hired.
See main article: article and 2005 NFL Draft. [1]
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Game site | Recap | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle Seahawks | L 15–34 | 0–1 | Louisiana Superdome | Recap | ||
| 2 | at New England Patriots | W 37–27 | 1–1 | Gillette Stadium | Recap | ||
| 3 | Baltimore Ravens | L 6–21 | 1–2 | Louisiana Superdome | Recap | ||
| 4 | at Oakland Raiders | L 6–13 | 1–3 | McAfee Coliseum | Recap |
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Game site | Recap | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 11 | at Carolina Panthers | W 23–20 | 1–0 | Bank of America Stadium | Recap | |
| 2 | New York Giants | L 10–27 | 1–1 | Giants Stadium | Recap | ||
| 3 | September 25 | at Minnesota Vikings | L 16–33 | 1–2 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | Recap | |
| 4 | October 2 | Buffalo Bills | W 19–7 | 2–2 | Alamodome | Recap | |
| 5 | October 9 | at Green Bay Packers | L 3–52 | 2–3 | Lambeau Field | Recap | |
| 6 | October 16 | Atlanta Falcons | L 31–34 | 2–4 | Alamodome | Recap | |
| 7 | October 23 | at St. Louis Rams | L 17–28 | 2–5 | Edward Jones Dome | Recap | |
| 8 | October 30 | Miami Dolphins | L 6–21 | 2–6 | Tiger Stadium | Recap | |
| 9 | November 6 | Chicago Bears | L 17–20 | 2–7 | Tiger Stadium | Recap | |
| 10 | Bye | ||||||
| 11 | November 20 | at New England Patriots | L 17–24 | 2–8 | Gillette Stadium | Recap | |
| 12 | November 27 | at New York Jets | W 21–19 | 3–8 | Giants Stadium | Recap | |
| 13 | December 4 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | L 3–10 | 3–9 | Tiger Stadium | Recap | |
| 14 | at Atlanta Falcons | L 17–36 | 3–10 | Georgia Dome | Recap | ||
| 15 | December 18 | Carolina Panthers | L 10–27 | 3–11 | Tiger Stadium | Recap | |
| 16 | Detroit Lions | L 12–13 | 3–12 | Alamodome | Recap | ||
| 17 | January 1 | at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | L 13–27 | 3–13 | Raymond James Stadium | Recap | |
Despite being played at Giants Stadium, this was officially a home game for the Saints as the Louisiana Superdome was being used as an emergency shelter in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.[2]
The Saints out gained the Giants, finishing the game with 422 yards of total offense compared to New York's 257. However, the Saints' offense also committed six turnovers that resulted in 17 points for the Giants.