BRISTOL, Conn. (Sept. 26, 2006) -- The New Orleans Saints' return home to the Superdome on Monday Night Football drew the highest rating ever for ESPN and was the highest-rated program of the night on any network, broadcast or cable.

The Saints' 23-3 win over Atlanta in the first game in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina 13 months ago drew a rating of 11.8 and an audience of 10,850,000 homes.

It was the third straight week the network's Monday night game set a record for ESPN, and the second time in three weeks that it was the top-rated show on all networks. The opening week game between Minnesota and Washington also was top-rated.

It was the second largest cable audience ever behind the 1993 NAFTA debate between Al Gore and Ross Perot on CNN.

A ratings point represents 923,000 households.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/9687334

man, that was the best game i ever watched. Love the Saints. Favorite team along with the NY Giants.

You knew right off the bat when the game aired there was so much buzz in the air that the Saints were going to win the game. It was a very emotional victory for the Saints and the city of New Orleans. I like the Falcons a lot but I wanted New Orleans to win the game.

Yes I was rooting for the Saints the whole time but turned the game off when it looked like the Falcons weren't going to get more points. Probably 3rd quarter.