There are just 30 days until the New Orleans Saints kick off their 2025 season against the Arizona Cardinals. For today’s Saints Play of the Day, we are turning back the clock 20 years, to a 30-yard touchdown reception by Devery Henderson from Aaron Brooks to beat the New York Jets. You can watch the touchdown for yourself here.
It was Week 11, Nov. 27, just a couple of months after Hurricane Katrina devastated the city of New Orleans. Understandably, it was a rough year for the football team. There weren’t many things to cheer for, but this was an exceptional game of football and one that left Saints fans something to smile about.
The Jets had the same record as New Orleans heading into the game, 2-8. While neither team was lighting the league on fire, they were evenly matched. It was a back-and-forth game the entire way, full of fun plays. It included a 21-yard touchdown by Donte’ Stallworth, a 15-yard score by Zachary Hilton, a 27-yard touchdown by New York, two 40+ field goals and the 30-yard game winner from Henderson.
Brooks was 17-of-23 on the day with 181 yards and three touchdowns. Joe Horn had four catches for 47 yards and Stallworth had five catches for 48 yards and a score. Until he scored his touchdown, Henderson was left without a catch. Will Smith picked up a sack while Sedrick Hodge and Josh Bullocks had 10 tackles each.
Back-to-back scores from the Jets had the Saints down 19-14 in the final quarter. That’s when Brooks found Henderson over the top of the defense for a 30-yard score, which put New Orleans ahead with under nine minutes to go and was the final score of the game.
This was the last win that the Saints picked up before the Drew Brees and Sean Payton era began in 2006. A loss in this game could have possibly put New Orleans in the mix for the first overall pick, but they ended up grabbing Reggie Bush with the second pick, and the rest is history.