What Is 1979 New Orleans Saints football team

Overview

The 1979 season represented a turning point for the New Orleans Saints, who had struggled since joining the NFL in 1967. After seven straight losing seasons, the team achieved an 8-8 record under head coach Dick Nolan, narrowly missing playoff contention in the NFC West.

This marked the first time in franchise history the Saints finished with a non-losing record, signaling modest improvement. Despite failing to secure a postseason berth, the season demonstrated progress fueled by defensive resilience and consistent offensive efforts from key players.

• Record: The Saints finished 8-8, a significant improvement from their 7-9 record in 1978 and their worst-ever 1-15 in 1980 just two years later.
• Head Coach:Dick Nolan completed his third and final season at the helm, compiling a 12-32-1 record over his tenure before being replaced in 1980.
• Home Field: All eight home games were played at the Louisiana Superdome, which had become the team’s permanent home starting in 1975.
• Quarterback Play:Archie Manning started 12 games but battled persistent injuries, throwing for 2,616 yards with 16 touchdowns and 17 interceptions.
• Defensive Strength: The defense forced 34 turnovers, ranking 4th in the NFL, including 21 interceptions and 13 fumble recoveries.

Season Performance

The 1979 Saints showed flashes of competitiveness throughout the year, with notable wins over division rivals and strong defensive showings. Their balanced performance reflected incremental progress in a historically struggling franchise.

• Turnovers Forced: The Saints generated 34 turnovers, with 21 interceptions led by safety Rich Miano, who recorded 5 picks.
• Pass Rush: Defensive end Willie Frazier led the team with 9.5 sacks, applying consistent pressure despite limited pass-rush depth.
• Running Game:Tony Galbreath rushed for 773 yards and 4 touchdowns, becoming the first Saints running back to surpass 700 yards since 1972.
• Special Teams: Kicker Rich Szaro made 18 of 24 field goals, with a long of 48 yards, contributing critical points in close games.
• Division Standing: The team finished 3rd in the NFC West, behind the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers, missing the playoffs by two games.
• Notable Game: A 38-34 win over the St. Louis Cardinals in Week 13 featured a 300-yard passing game from Manning and a key defensive stop in the final minutes.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1979 season compared favorably to previous years, showing improvement in key statistical categories despite limited offensive firepower.

The table illustrates a clear upward trend in 1979, with the Saints achieving their highest point total since 1971 and forcing the most turnovers in team history to date. However, the subsequent collapse in 1980 underscores the instability of the franchise during this era.

Why It Matters

While not a championship season, 1979 holds historical significance for the Saints as a sign of potential and fleeting progress. It demonstrated that competitive football was possible in New Orleans, even amid long-term organizational challenges.

• The 8-8 record gave fans hope after years of subpar performance and set a benchmark for future rebuilding efforts.
• Archie Manning’s durability and leadership, despite playing injured, cemented his legacy as a franchise icon.
• The defense’s ability to create turnovers highlighted a strategy later embraced in future Saints regimes.
• Draft decisions following the season, including the selection of George Rogers in 1981, were influenced by 1979’s near-miss.
• The season marked the final year of Dick Nolan’s tenure, prompting a coaching search that led to Bum Phillips in 1981.
• It remains one of only a few non-losing seasons in the first two decades of the franchise’s existence.

The 1979 New Orleans Saints may not be remembered for trophies, but they represented a rare moment of equilibrium in a turbulent early history, laying subtle groundwork for eventual long-term growth.