The Dome Patrol Ends 1992 with a Statement
The last regular season game of the 1992 season was a big one for the New Orleans Saints. By the end of the day the defense logged 5 sacks, 2 interceptions and even had a 76-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown (Sam Mills literally took the ball out of Jet’s quarterback Browning Nagle’s grasp and went the distance for a Saints score) on the day in a 20-0 shutout of the Jets. And here we see linebacker Pat Swilling forcing Nagle out of the pocket. Swilling didn’t have a sack in this game but he did end up with 10½ sacks on the year and inclusion on the 1992 NFL All Pro Team. The Saints even led the league in sacks with 57 that season. 1992 was also the season that all 4 starting linebackers were selected to the Pro Bowl – the only time that has happened in the NFL. The Defense was, without a doubt, the primary reason of the team’s 12-4 record. They ranked in the Top 5 in literally every defensive category that mattered. By season’s end the 4 linebackers that made up the Dome Patrol had combined for 28 sacks and 329 tackles.
Ending with a 12-4 record the Saints went to their 4th post season game in 5 years. Unfortunately, the song’s of “Who Dat!” were quickly silenced by a heart breaking 36-20 loss to Philadelphia in the Wildcard playoffs. Down 20-7 the Eagles rallied back scoring 29 unanswered points in the 2nd half to advance. For the Saints it was their 4th straight playoff loss.
It was also the last time a Jim Mora led Saints team would enjoy a winning season. Mora remained head coach until 1996 when he resigned in the middle of the dismal 1996 season. It would not be until 7 years later that the Saints would have a winning campaign.
