2009 NFC Championship Game vs Minnesota Vikings
Saints 31, Vikings 28 in overtime: Garrett Hartley's 40-yard field goal sends New Orleans to its first Super Bowl.
Coming off their divisional home win over the Cardinals, the Saints stayed at home for the NFC Championship Game against the #2 Minnesota Vikings and won 31–28 in overtime. A key interception late in the fourth quarter by Tracy Porter stopped what could have been Minnesota's game-winning drive, leading to overtime, where place-kicker Garrett Hartley booted the game-winning 40-yard field goal. With the win the Saints improved their overall record to 15–3 and advanced to their very first Super Bowl in franchise history.
Quick Facts
- Round
- NFC Championship Game
- Opponent
- Minnesota Vikings (#2 seed)
- Venue
- New Orleans
- Result
- Saints 31, Vikings 28 (OT)
- Winning points
- Garrett Hartley 40-yard field goal in overtime
Facts from the source article.
Background
New Orleans initially trailed in the first quarter as Vikings running back Adrian Peterson got a 19-yard touchdown run, yet the Saints responded with quarterback Drew Brees hooking up with running back Pierre Thomas on a 38-yard touchdown pass. Minnesota answered with quarterback Brett Favre completing a 9-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Sidney Rice, and New Orleans tied the game again in the second quarter with Brees finding wide receiver Devery Henderson on a 9-yard touchdown pass. The Saints took the lead in the third quarter with Thomas' 9-yard touchdown run, but the Vikings tied the game with a 1-yard touchdown run from Peterson. In the fourth quarter, New Orleans regained the lead as Brees found running back Reggie Bush on a 5-yard touchdown pass, yet Minnesota tied again with Peterson's 2-yard touchdown run.
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