NEW ORLEANS (AP) – One of Pierre Thomas’ teammates referred to him as “an animal” after the Saints’ playoff opening triumph over Detroit.

Thomas is just happy to be healthy and able to help New Orleans in another playoff run.

The fifth-year running back was a key player in the Saints’ lone championship two seasons ago, turning screen passes into long touchdowns in both the NFC championship game and the Super Bowl. In 2010, however, he struggled with a left ankle injury for much of the regular season and was on injured reserve by the time the Saints were bounced from the playoffs in a first-round loss at Seattle.

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Mike Triplett, The Times-Picayune

New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams’ contract will expire after this season. Of course he could re-up with the Saints. But there also has been growing speculation that he might consider reuniting with friend Jeff Fisher, who is expected to coach either the St. Louis Rams or Miami Dolphins.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted Sunday that “many around (the) league believe” Williams will leave New Orleans to reunite with Fisher. Williams served as an assistant under Fisher with the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans from 1994-2000 and has long considered him his best friend in the business

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By James Varney

California, here the New Orleans Saints come.

New Orleans (14-3) dispatched the Detroit Lions 45-28 Saturday night in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, setting up a divisional playoff game next weekend in San Francisco.

It should prove a fascinating matchup, pitting perhaps the NFL’s best defense in the 49ers with the Saints undisputed best offense. The Saints underscored that attribute against the Lions, breaking a handful of NFL records, and the 626 yards the team gained broke a postseason record that had stood since 1963.

That sort of firepower overwhelmed Detroit (10-7), which played quite well in its first playoff appearance since 1999 and was in the game into the third quarter. The Lions will now look to build on the franchise’s most successful campaign in years, while the Saints continue their pursuit of a Super Bowl return.

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New Orleans Saints linebacker Nate Bussey tweeted that he will be promoted to the active roster from the practice squad.

The rookie who was drafted in the seventh round out of Illinois has been on the practice squad all season.

The Saints have not confirmed the transaction and remains who’s roster spot he’ll be taking.

Bussey is one of two players expected to be named to the team’s 53-man roster, the Saints reportedly signed guard Eric Olsen from the Washington Redskins practice squad. At least one spot is expected to be open if running back Mark Ingram will be placed on injured reserve because of the toe surgery.

The New Orleans Saints will host the Detroit Lions in the first round of the NFL playoffs Saturday at 7 p.m., the league announced Sunday night. The Houston Texans will host the Cincinnati Bengals at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

The Sunday matchups will feature the Atlanta Falcons at the Dallas Cowboys/New York Giants winner at noon, followed by the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Denver Broncos at 3:30 p.m.

The divisional round schedule is as follows:

Saturday, Jan. 14, 3:30 p.m.: Saints/Dallas-N.Y.Giants/Atlanta at San Francisco

Saturday, Jan. 14, 7 p.m.: Denver/Pittsburgh/Cincinnati at New England

Sunday, Jan. 15, noon: Houston/Denver/Pittsburgh at Baltimore

Sunday, Jan. 15, 3:30 p.m.: Dallas-N.Y. Giants/Atlanta/Detroit at Green Bay

Drew Brees hit Darren Sproles for a 9-yard touchdown pass to give the New Orleans Saints a 45-17 lead against Carolina with 12:15 left in the game.
The drive went 68 yards on seven plays in 3:50.
Sproles is closing in on the NFL record for all purpose yards. The records just keep coming for the Saints.

Kevin Spain, The Times-Picayune

The New Orleans Saints beat NFC South rival Carolina Panthers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome 45-17 and finished the regular season 13-3.

They will host a playoff game at the Dome next Saturday. The times hasn’t been set yet.

Drew Brees threw for 389 yards and five touchdowns, extending his games with a touchdown pass to 43, four behind Johnny Unitas.

Several records went down in the game — Darren Sproles passed Derrick Mason for most all-purpose yards in NFL history, Jimmy Graham passed  Kellen Winslow for most yards receiving by a tight end and Brees padded his passing yardage total.

METAIRIE, La. — The NFL let several Saints players know that they can wear black and gold and nothing else.

In addition to running back Pierre Thomas, receivers Devery Henderson, Lance Moore, Marques Colston and Robert Meachem were fined $5,000 for wearing red and green tape around their ankles during New Orleans’ win over Atlanta Monday night

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New Orleans Saints tailback Mark Ingram (toe), receiver Lance Moore (hamstring) and tight end John Gilmore (toe) were ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers. Linebacker Jonathan Vilma (knee) and safety Malcolm Jenkins (neck) are listed as questionable after practicing on a limited basis. Cornerback Patrick Robinson and linebacker Jonathan Casillas are listed as probable.