Jake Delhomme's 51-yard touchdown pass is the Saints Play of the Day
While the Saints jumped out to a surprising 10-0 lead early on, the Cowboys fought back to get ahead 17-10 midway through the third quarter. So imagine their surprise when Delhomme struck back to tie it all up? It was a great throw off of play action, traveling from the New Orleans 41-yard line to the Dallas 19, where Kennison corralled the catch and jogged into the end zone. The Cowboys had Hall of Famers like Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Deion Sanders on their side, and it didn't matter.
This is a game we've highlighted before; Saints cornerback Fred Weary picked off Aikman and scored the game-winning touchdown on a Smith fumble recovery. Good on him and Delhomme for making such a difference.
This was a big win for a Saints team that really needed it. New Orleans went into the game with a 2-12 record, and this ended up being a great gift for fans on Christmas Eve. They couldn't sustain that success, but with wins so rare in those days, this became an easy rallying point for fans to enjoy late in a lost season.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
$500k move may be first step to clearing $57 million, former All-Pro from Cowboys' books
When the Dallas Cowboys signed All-Pro cornerback Trevon Diggs to a five-year, $97 million extension in July of 2023, it was initially hailed as a big win for the franchise. After logging 14 interceptions over the previous two seasons, some speculated Diggs would reset the cornerback market as an elite ballhawk and generational playmaker. Yet the Cowboys kept in line with current market values, proactively inking Diggs to a team friendly contract at a time Dallas' contracts lacked both timeliness and thriftiness. With negotiations approaching for Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, it was good for the Cowboys to get one in the win column before all the deadlines backed them into a corner. Diggs' deal included over $43 million in total guarantees but came with escape hatch following the 2025 season if things went south. Low and behold things did go south for Diggs and the Cowboys might have just taken their first step in their approach to move away from Diggs and the $57 million he's owed from 2026 onward. The Cowboys are reportedly planning to withhold $500,000 in base salary after Diggs failed to complete at least 84 percent of his offseason workouts with the team over the offseason. This isn't the first time Diggs' commitment to rehab was called into question. Just this spring Jerry Jones offered some rather pointed comments regarding Diggs' approach to his previous rehab. Since signing his $97 million extension two summers ago, Diggs has played in just 13 games. He played just two regular seasons games before falling to a season ending ACL injury in 2023 and he played in just 11 games in his return to the field a season later. His most recent surgery, a chondral tissue graft, is a form of microfracture surgery that involves an uncertain timeline and uncertain final prognosis. It's unknown how much time he'll miss in 2025, or if being 100% is even an option anymore. His medical situation coupled with his absenteeism probably isn't doing him many favors in the Cowboys front office these days. Recouping half a million dollars is sure to ruffle some feathers in Diggs' camp. It could serve as a wake-up call to the 26-year-old, or it could drive a wedge between the two parties. With fellow All-Pro CB DaRon Bland set to hit free agency in 2026, it was always going to be difficult to pay both star CBs high-end money. The Cowboys could be gearing up to cut Diggs and re-up with Bland over the offseason. Cutting Diggs in 2026 would give them $12,558,822 in cap savings next year. It's money that could either get immediately invested in Bland or money that could be moved into a different direction entirely. A lot can change between now and next offseason, but for Diggs this looks like the first step to a final season with the Cowboys. You can follow Reid on X @ReidDHanson and be sure to follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
USA Today
3 hours ago
- USA Today
Countdown to Kickoff: Zach Wood is the Saints Player of Day 49
Wood is one of the NFL's most consistent players at his position We have less than 50 days before the New Orleans Saints embark on their 59th NFL season with a regular season opener at home against the Arizona Cardinals. Wearing No. 49 for new coach Kellen Moore's crew is an underappreciated member of the roster, long snapper Zach Wood. Entering his ninth season with New Orleans, Wood is one of the longest-tenured Saints and longest-tenured long snappers in the NFL. Our Saints Player of the Day, here's a deeper dive into his background. At Rowlett High School, Wood was an honorable mention all-state defensive tackle before committing to Southern Methodist University. As a defensive end in a 3-4 front for the Mustangs, Wood started 33 contests over his last three seasons. He gathered 8.5 sacks and forced 2 fumbles while also blocking 4 kicks and serving as the team's long snapper. After not being selected in the 2016 NFL draft, Wood was signed to an undrafted deal by the Dallas Cowboys. He didn't make the Dallas roster as a defensive lineman, but was brought back the following offseason on a reserve/future contract as a long snapper. Wood was again cut by the Cowboys at the conclusion of the preseason. This time, he was picked up by Sean Payton and the New Orleans Saints. Wood won the long snapper job with New Orleans after a tryout. He'd remain in that role for the last 132 consecutive games. Wood has been one of the league's most consistent players at his often overlooked position. In 2022, he earned 2nd Team All-Pro recognition from Pro Football Focus. After a series of one-year contracts, New Orleans awarded him for his consistently with a four-year deal in 2023. There are a lot of questions surrounding the Saints roster heading into this season. However, long snapper is not one of those positions, thanks to the capabilities of Zach Wood.
New York Times
3 hours ago
- New York Times
Dustin Poirier's final war: Even in defeat, UFC legend retires with storybook fight
Dustin Poirier couldn't have gone out any other way. For over 15 years, he left jaws on the floor of every arena he fought in. Millions of fans fell in love with the scrappy striker from Lafayette, La., who had blistering combinations, a relentless pace and an unshakable willingness to bite down on his mouthpiece and trade punches. Advertisement Entering Saturday night's UFC 319 main event, Poirier promised this would be it. One final war, one final memory, no matter how his trilogy bout against fellow beloved striker Max Holloway ended. For the 32nd and final time, Poirier exited a UFC octagon bloodied, grateful and, like so many times before, to a standing ovation, even with Holloway's hand being raised as the victor via unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 49-46). 'Man, it's been overwhelming,' Poirier said afterward. 'I feel appreciated, I feel seen. I've never got to step outside of fighting and look at it this way … I feel loved by the fans, Louisiana and the company. It's been incredible.' Holloway proved to be the perfect dance partner for Poirier's swan song. Fighting in front of Poirier's rabid home crowd in New Orleans, Holloway settled into a strong groove in the first round, knocking Poirier down with a straight right hand as the chanting crowd was quickly hushed. Then, all hell broke loose in the second. In the first half of the round, Poirier got dropped again, that time by a gnarly uppercut, which Holloway followed with damaging ground strikes. A minute later, however, Poirier turned back the clock and floored Holloway with a vintage four-punch combo that had the Smoothie King Center roaring back out of their seats. By the third, Poirier was doubling up on his jabs while Holloway was stringing six-strike combos together. By the fourth, both men were bloodied, exchanging flurry after flurry. By the fifth, no one was sitting — every punch looked like it might end the fight. At final tally, Holloway threw and landed more shots. Poirier connected with more power. As the final horn rang, the only unhappy people in the arena may have been the three judges who had to determine the winner. In the end, 'The Diamond' still got his storybook ending, even in defeat. Advertisement 'I didn't know I touched as many people as I did just by chasing my dreams. I'm forever grateful, I love you all. I'm a kid living my dream,' he said. After a tribute video narrated by numerous legendary UFC champions, Poirier couldn't hold back his tears as he gave his final thanks to the promotion and the fanbase. 'Thank you for following my journey and playing a part of it,' he told The Athletic he wanted to tell his longtime supporters. 'I've always given my all. I've never cut corners; I was always dedicated. I really gave this sport my all, and I appreciate everybody who followed the journey, man. … So I'm just thankful for the sport, thankful for the fans. Thanks for the company, and it's been a blessing, man.' There was no championship gold on the line Saturday, but there was symbolic silver. The BMF belt, which Holloway won by knocking out Justin Gaethje in a 2024 thriller, was on the line, and Holloway leaves New Orleans as the first BMF champion to ever defend the belt. 'I love you Louisiana, I know I had to be the villain and I'm sorry, but thank you for the hospitality,' Holloway told the crowd afterward before stepping out of the way, 'This ain't my moment, I'm done talking, this is Dustin's retirement fight, give it up for the man.' With his gloves left in the octagon, Poirier's career ends with a record of 30-10 (22-9 in the UFC). Entering the night, Poirier had never previously lost twice in a row. Holloway was facing the tarnishing of his legacy by going 0-3 in two separate high-profile trilogies. Something had to give, someone had to lose and the fans were bound to win. Laying the gloves down 🫡 [ #UFC318 | @DustinPoirier ] — UFC (@ufc) July 20, 2025 The pair's first battle came in 2012, which marked Holloway's UFC debut. Fighting on the UFC 143 prelims, the featherweight youngsters gave a glimpse of the striking legends they would become before Poirier pulled off a stunning triangle armbar. When they faced again in 2019, Holloway's career was in the stratosphere. 'Blessed' entered the rematch, which was for the interim lightweight title, as the featherweight champion riding a 13-fight winning streak and having defended his title three times. But that night belonged to Poirier as the Louisianian showcased his power advantage on the feet and unbreakable cardio in the championship rounds to win via unanimous decision. Advertisement It would go down as Poirier's lone night of walking out of a UFC octagon holding gold, a fleeting moment of championship validation in a career showered with arenas of adoration. But Poirier said he doesn't look back with any regrets or frustrations for what could have been. 'My goal from the beginning was to find out how good of a fighter I could be, and I did that,' he told The Athletic. 'I did everything that I had and gave everything that I had to put myself in that position to fight the best guys in the world and to travel and learn from the best people in the world and dedicate myself to the sport to find out how good I could be and how far I could take this. And I did. I walked those steps and did this journey and found out.' He would lose that belt to Khabib Nurmagomedov in a title unification bout later that year and find himself staring down a career crossroads. Continue chasing the belt, and risk becoming a divisional gatekeeper who couldn't win the big one but seemingly beat everyone else? Or chase the paychecks, cash in on his acclaim and pick the flashiest fights at the risk of his resume. In typical Poirier fashion, he picked both. He first waged a bloodstained war against Dan Hooker, a legendary slugfest that Poirier told The Athletic was one of his favorite memories as a fighter. Then came two timeless clashes with kingpin Conor McGregor in 2021 — the first a second-round ending in a knockout as Poirier stunned the MMA world, the second in a gruesome leg injury that left McGregor sidelined for good. #OnThisDay in 2021: @DustinPoirier became the first man to KO Conor McGregor 👊 Watch all three of their fights back on @UFCFightPass today! — UFC (@ufc) January 24, 2023 Poirier parlayed the fame of those wins into title shots against Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev, both of which Poirier lost via submission. But between those setbacks were wins that re-established his legitimacy, first by crushing Michael Chandler and second by dismantling Benoît Saint-Denis. Advertisement But after the Makhachev loss in 2024, Poirier said he was at peace with the fighting chapter of his life coming to an end. 'That was my third title shot at undefeated gold, and I just don't know if I have it in me to put together what it's gonna take to get a fourth crack at a world title,' Poirier said. The damage on his 36-year-old body had piled up after 40-plus fights, particularly so after the Makhachev battle. A week after the loss, Poirier said he was dealing with a broken nose, broken rib and a partially torn ACL. With a family waiting at home and his legacy more than secure, Poirier was ready to leave his gloves in the cage for good, with no illusions of looking back. This was it. 'I have a daughter at home, have a bunch of businesses that keep me super busy back in Louisiana and my wife's pregnant. It's just a time in my life where I want to leave this sport healthy,' he said last week. 'And that's just it, be a dad. Be home, be normal. … I don't know what it is to be like a normal civilian, not a fighter. I want to see what that's like.'
