1992 New Orleans Saints season
| 1992 New Orleans Saints season | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Jim Mora |
| General manager | Jim Finks |
| Home field | Louisiana Superdome |
| Results | |
| Record | 12–4 |
| Division place | 2nd NFC West |
| Playoff finish | Lost NFC Wild Card (Eagles 20-36) |
The 1992 New Orleans Saints season saw the Saints qualify for the postseason as a wild card.
The 1992 Saints surrendered only 202 points during the season (12.6 points per game), the lowest total by any team in the 1990s. They also gave up the fewest passing yards (2,470) and second-fewest total yards (4,075) of any team in 1992.
The Saints didn't return to the postseason until 2000.
The team entered 1992 with great expectations after its NFC West division title season of 1991. It was the franchise's first division championship since entering the NFL in 1967. Most preseason forecasts had the Saints making the playoffs again and another division title possible.
The team opened 1992 at Philadelphia, their first road opener in 11 years. The usually steely defense showed some chinks as Eagles running back Herschel Walker rushed for more than 100 yards. Turnovers caused by the two great defenses kept the game close, but the Eagles won 15–13. Offensive struggles continued the next week vs. Chicago, as the Bears led 6–0 at halftime. Big plays on both sides of the ball broke it open for the Saints, as quarterback Bobby Hebert connected with wide receivers Eric Martin and Wesley Carroll on touchdown passes of 52 and 72 yards, respectively. Two second half scores by the Saints' defense capped the 28–6 win – a fumble return by Robert "Pig" Goff and an interception return by Reggie Jones. Those plays set the tone for the defensive unit throughout 1992.
A 10–7 win over Atlanta followed and set up the annual battle with the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers had worn the title of "Team of the Decade" for the 1980s and were the primary stumbling block for an otherwise resurgent Saints franchise during Jim Mora's tenure as head coach. The Sunday night, prime-time audience saw a tight contest throughout. With the Niners leading 16–10, the Saints faced first-and-goal at the San Francisco 2-yard line. Saints guard Derek Kennard was flagged for holding and, on the next play, a pass into tight coverage was picked off by 49ers cornerback Eric Davis. It was the Saints' sixth consecutive home game against the Niners decided by seven points or less.
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