The Saints picked up their first-ever road playoff win Saturday against the Philadelphia Eagles, and New Orleans fans may have a fast-food joint to thank for their team's performance.
Saints coach Sean Payton brought back a tasty tradition this week, allowing his players to chow down on Popeyes before Saturday's game.
The entire #Saints locker room is eating Popeyes . @Fox8Nola pic.twitter.com/9uB9BsjFWf
— Garland Gillen (@garlandgillen) January 3, 2014
Back in 2009, when the Saints finished 7-1 on the road in the regular season and went on to win the Super Bowl, Payton allowed his players to indulge in Popeyes on each road trip. For one reason or another, that custom was nixed.
“Coach has got to give us Popeyes in the plane again,” wide receiver Robert Meachem said in the lead-up to Saturday's game. “Everybody’s talking about that. Every road trip in ’09 we had Popeyes. Coach needs to bring back the Popeyes. Wherever we play, whoever we play, when we get on the plane -- have the Popeyes ready.”
Payton heard his players loud and clear. The head coach even tweeted a picture of his Popeyes feast.
"WHO DAT" pic.twitter.com/2ZRQh2JHJH
— Sean Payton (@SeanPayton) January 3, 2014
Naturally, the Saints came out and grounded the Eagles' formidable offense. Despite dome teams' struggles in the cold, the Saints silenced doubters with a 26-24 victory over Nick Foles and Co.
New Orleans will need more Popeyes, as well as a tremendous game from Drew Brees, to top the Seahawks in Seattle next weekend. When the two teams met earlier this season, the Seahawks crushed the Saints, 34-7.
Popeyes, for its part, is loving the extra publicity.
Worried about winning on the road? Just bring along a piece of home. #BringTheChicken pic.twitter.com/npWeiGl1Ms
— Popeyes Chicken (@PopeyesChicken) January 5, 2014
