The New Orleans Saints will open up their 2014 preseason schedule on Friday night, when they travel to St. Louis, Missouri to take on the St. Louis Rams.

You can catch all the play-by-play action on ESPN 1420, with kick-off set for 7 o'clock.

The game will mark the first time in 46 years that the two franchises will have met during the preseason.

The Rams actually were born as the Cleveland Rams in 1936, before moving to Los Angeles, California, where they were known as the Los Angeles Rams from 1946-1994. Prior to the 1995 season, the Rams moved to St. Louis, where they've been located ever since.

Since the Saints played their first game back in 1967, the two franchises have played some memorable games, having competed in the NFC West together from 1970-2001.

The Rams dominated that division in the 70′s, winning six-consecutive division titles, from 1974-1979.

Last season, the Rams defeated the Saints, 27-16, in St. Louis, and currently lead the all-time regular season series, 40-32.

This week, we'll take a look at some of the more memorable match-ups between the two franchises:

The first memorable game was, well, the very first play.

On Sunday, September 17, 1967, John Gilliam took the opening kick-off, the very first play in Saints’ history, back for a touchdown against the Rams at Tulane Stadium.

The Rams won the game, 27-13, and Gilliam’s return would be the only touchdown that New Orleans would score that day, but still, what a way to begin play in the NFL!

 

 

The Saints finished that season at 3-11, playing in the Capitol Division, finishing behind the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, and Washington Redskins.

Of course, despite the 3-11 record, that 1967 season will be remembered fondly by many Saints' fans, as it introduced the franchise to the rest of the NFL.

The Saints had two quarterbacks start games in their inaugural campaign, in Gary Cuozzo and Billy Kilmer.

Cuozzo threw for 1,562 yards, along with seven touchdowns and 12 interceptions, while Kilmer, seen below, tossed for 1,341 yards, along with six touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

 

 

 

 

 

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