Rich Addicks/AP
Drew Brees and the Saints won’t become the first team to host a Super Bowl.
The Saints seem destined to stay perfect in a very peculiar streak: they have never made the playoffs in the 10 seasons in which the Super Bowl was being held in New Orleans. The rundown of the unfortunate run:
Super Bowl IV: Saints were 5-9 in 1969 season, losing their first six games in just their third year of existence.
Super Bowl VI: Saints were 4-8-2 in 1971 season, the first of 10-plus years with Archie Manning at quarterback.
Super Bowl IX: Saints were 5-9 in 1974 season, recording just 20 touchdowns with an anemic offense.
Super Bowl XII: Saints were 3-11 in 1977 season, though two wins were over playoff teams (Bears, Rams).
Super Bowl XV: Saints were 1-15 in 1980 season, the worst season in franchise history (outscored by 196 points).
Super Bowl XX: Saints were 5-11 in 1985 season, with coach Bum Phillips resigning following a six-game losing streak.
Super Bowl XXIV: Saints were 9-7 in 1989 season, but the third winning season in team history fell short of the playoffs.
Super Bowl XXXI: Saints were 3-13 in 1996 season, which led to the short and unproductive Mike Ditka era.
Super Bowl XXXVI: Saints were 7-9 in 2001 season, skidding out of postseason contention with an 0-4 finish.
Super Bowl XLVII: Saints are 6-8 in 2012 season, a turbulent campaign sullied by suspensions and the bounty scandal.