What Is 1974 New Orleans Saints football team

Overview

The 1974 New Orleans Saints marked the franchise's seventh season in the National Football League. Competing in the NFC West division, the team struggled with consistency, finishing with a 5-9 record under two different head coaches.

This season reflected ongoing challenges the Saints faced in their early years, including coaching instability and offensive inefficiency. Despite flashes of potential, the team failed to make the playoffs for the sixth consecutive year.

• Record: The Saints finished 5-9, their best win total since 1971, but still fell short of playoff contention.
• Coaching change:Ernie Hefferle started the season but was fired after a 1-3 start; John North took over as interim head coach.
• Offensive output: The team scored 181 points (12.9 per game), ranking 21st in the 26-team league.
• Defensive struggles: They allowed 286 points (20.4 per game), among the worst in the NFC.
• Home field: All home games were held at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, a venue used from 1967 to 1974 before moving to the Superdome.

Season Performance

The 1974 season was defined by instability and missed opportunities on both sides of the ball. With a rotating quarterback lineup and defensive lapses, the Saints showed improvement in wins but not enough to challenge division leaders.

• Quarterback play:Billy Kilmer started 10 games, throwing for 1,463 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
• Running game:John Gilliam led the team with 508 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns on 139 carries.
• Receiving corps:Tight end Mike Minter was the top receiver with 317 yards and 2 touchdowns on 32 catches.
• Defensive leaders: Linebacker Rickey Jackson (not to be confused with the future Saints Hall of Famer) recorded 3 sacks and 2 forced fumbles.
• Kicking game: Kicker Tom Dempsey, known for his 63-yard field goal in 1970, made 16 of 25 field goals (64%) this season.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 1974 Saints compared to other teams in the NFC West and league-wide in key metrics:

The Saints’ 5-9 record placed them above only the Falcons in their division. While they slightly outscored Atlanta, their defense allowed more points per game than all but a few teams in the league. The Rams dominated the division, highlighting the gap between playoff contenders and rebuilding teams like New Orleans.

Why It Matters

The 1974 season was a transitional year that underscored the need for long-term planning in New Orleans. Though not a success by win-loss standards, it provided valuable experience for future improvements.

• Coaching instability: The mid-season firing of Hefferle signaled organizational frustration and led to a full evaluation of leadership.
• Player development: Young players like John North gained experience, setting the stage for future roster decisions.
• Stadium transition: This was the last season at Tulane Stadium; the team moved to the Superdome in 1975.
• Fan engagement: Despite poor records, attendance remained strong, showing early fan loyalty in a football-growing region.
• Draft implications: The 5-9 record gave the Saints a mid-tier draft pick, used to strengthen defense in 1975.
• Historical context: The 1974 season was part of a 11-year playoff drought (1970–1980), the longest in franchise history.

The 1974 New Orleans Saints may not stand out in the record books, but they represent a crucial phase in the team’s evolution—laying groundwork for eventual stability and future success.