For 33 years, the New Orleans Saints had tried and failed to win their first playoff game in franchise history. In 2000, coming off their second ever division championship and returning to the playoffs after a seven-year drought, they faced the division rival St. Louis Rams in the first round. The Rams of course featured the Greatest Show on Turf, a record setting offense that featured four eventual Hall of Famers and were the defending Super Bowl champions.
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Prior to kickoff, in true New Orleans fashion, the Saints held a Voodoo ritual at midfield featuring priestess Ava Kay Jones, a live Boa Constrictor, and a multitude of drummers and dancers.