Ellington

NEW ORLEANS — This is new territory for the New Orleans Saints and their rookie coach: With a game to go, they have not only clinched the division, they have guaranteed themselves a bye in the playoffs.

"This is the first time I've been in this position," Coach Sean Payton said today. "Not just as a head coach, but period."

New Orleans — thanks to a victory over the New York Giants and a loss by the Dallas Cowboys — gained a first-round bye and will host a divisional playoff game Jan. 13 or 14.

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Meanwhile, does anybody remember that slimeball Saints owner Tom Benson tried to use Hurricane Katrina as an excuse to permanently move the team to San Antonio? For once, the NFL did the right thing and told Benson, "No way, dumba--." The Saints are (profitable) winners now, with a renovated Superdome, but he's still a scumbag.