Hoping for a big Saints victory this week over the Giants? If it happens, it will come against all odds. In case some of you were wondering just how the Saints have fared in games immediately following their bye week, here is the complete list of the nineteen post-bye week games since it's inception in 1990.
Date
Outcome
Score
Opponent
11/9/2008
L
20- 34
at Atlanta Falcons
10/7/2007
L
13- 16
Carolina Panthers
10/29/2006
L
22- 35
Baltimore Ravens
11/20/2005
L
17- 24
at New England Patriots
11/7/2004
L
17- 43
at San Diego Chargers
11/16/2003
W
23- 20
Atlanta Falcons
11/10/2002
W
34- 24
at Carolina Panthers
9/30/2001
L
13- 21
at New York Giants
10/8/2000
W
31- 10
at Chicago Bears
10/3/1999
L
10- 14
at Chicago Bears
9/27/1998
W
19- 13
at Indianapolis Colts
11/9/1997
W
13- 10
at Oakland Raiders
11/3/1996
L
17- 24
San Francisco 49ers
10/15/1995
W
33- 30
Miami Dolphins
11/6/1994
L
20- 21
at Minnesota Vikings
10/17/1993
L
14- 37
at Pittsburgh Steelers
11/1/1992
W
23- 21
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
10/13/1991
W
13- 6
at Philadelphia Eagles
10/7/1990
L
27- 28
at Atlanta Falcons
It's not lookin' too great. The Saints have only won 42% of the games following their bye and haven't won in the last five seasons. Worse still and even more important, they have never won under the direction of head coach Sean Payton.
The showdown with the Giants this Sunday is a pivotal game with possibly serious ramifications; will Sean Payton and the Saints be able to disregard history and finally come away with a "W" following the bye?