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In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and, indeed, much of the Gulf Coast region.

The Superdome was used as an emergency temporary shelter for displaced residents.

The stadium suffered damage from the hurricane ( notably from flooding and part of the roof being torn off as well as internal damage ), and from lack of available facilities.

The Saints were forced to play their first scheduled home game against the New York Giants at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey ( the Giants ' home stadium ); other home games were rescheduled at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas or Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

During the season, it was rumored that Saints owner Tom Benson might deem the Superdome unusable and seek to legally void his contract and relocate the team to San Antonio, where he has business interests.

Ultimately, however, the Superdome was repaired and renovated in time for the 2006 season at an estimated cost of $ 185 million.

The New Orleans Saints ' first post-Katrina home game was an emotionally-charged Monday Night Football game versus their division rival, the Atlanta Falcons.

The Saints, under rookie head coach Sean Payton and new quarterback Drew Brees, defeated the Falcons 23-3, and would go on to notch the second playoff win in franchise history.