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NEW YORK - The New Orleans Saints gave their city something to celebrate after they clinched a playoff spot in the National Football League (NFL), a year after New Orleans was ravaged by Hurricane Katrina.
The Saints fans celebrated their first division crown since 2000 despite going down to the Washington Redskins 16-10.
The (9-5) Saints, however, secured top spot in the NFC South when the Carolina Panthers were crushed 37-3 by the Pittsburgh Steelers, eliminating them from the division title chase.
Despite the loss the Saints remain the NFL's feel-good story of the season.
A year ago the Saints were a team without a home, orphaned when Hurricane Katrina slammed into the city, severely damaging the Superdome and forcing the team to play all its games on the road.
But the Superdome has been rebuilt and so have the Saints, going from a 3-13 record in 2005 to 9-5 and back into the playoffs.
The Saints have even been touted as Super Bowl contenders but displayed few championship credentials against the (5-9) Redskins.
Quarterback Jason Campbell hit Santana Moss with a 31-yard touchdown strike and Shaun Suisham booted the first of his three field goals as Washington raced out to a 10-0 first-quarter lead and then held on for the win.
The Baltimore Ravens also booked their playoff place with a gritty 27-17 win at home against the Cleveland Browns, returning to the post-season for the first time since 2003.
- REUTERS
