On December 31, 2006 the New Orleans Saints lost to the Carolina Panthers 21-31 as the Saints rested starters for the playoffs.
Following the Panthers game, the Saints would participate in the NFC Divisional Round for only the second time in franchise history.
The Saints would go on to defeat the Philaldephia Eagles in the playoffs before being knocked out by the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship Game to finish the season 12-6.