The 2004 season was the New Orleans Saints' 38th in the National Football League (NFL). They matched their previous season's output of 8–8,[1] and the team finished the season on a four-game winning streak, which was all the more remarkable because the Saints trailed at some point during every game.[2] This record was equalled by the 2012 Cowboys, but before this season the 1978 Falcons and the 2002 Browns come closest to this record, winning eight games out of fifteen where they trailed at some point.
Rookies in italics
53 active, 5 reserve, 8 practice squad
Regular season
Schedule
During the 2004 regular season, the Saints' non-divisional conference opponents were primarily from the NFC West, although they also played the Minnesota Vikings from the NFC North, and the Dallas Cowboys from the NFC East. Their non-conference opponents were from the AFC West.
^ abcSt. Louis clinched the NFC #5 seed instead of Minnesota or New Orleans based on better conference record (7–5 to Minnesota’s 5–7 to New Orleans’ 6–6).
^ abMinnesota clinched the NFC #6 seed instead of New Orleans based on head-to-head victory.
^ abcdeDetroit finished ahead of Arizona and New York Giants based upon head-to-head record (2–0 versus Arizona’s 1–1 and New York Giants’ 0–2). Division tiebreak was initially used to eliminate Dallas and Washington.
^ abcNew York Giants finished ahead of Dallas and Washington in the NFC East based on better head-to-head record (3–1 to Dallas‘ 2–2 to Washington’s 1–3).
^ abDallas finished ahead of Washington in the NFC East based on head-to-head sweep.
^ abTampa Bay finished ahead of Chicago based upon head-to-head victory.
^When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest-ranked remaining team from each division.