New Orleans gets best of Vikes again

Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS

Drew Brees and the Saints extended New Orleans’ post-Super Bowl euphoria for at least another week and handed Brett Favre a second straight loss in the Louisiana Superdome.

Brees completed 27 of 36 passes for 237 yards and one touchdown, and the Saints survived a hard-fought season opener for a 14-9 victory Thursday night.

It wasn’t the most spectacular way to open a title defense, considering it was a rematch of the riveting 2009 NFC title game last January, in which the Saints took an overtime win to advance to their first Super Bowl.

It was the lowest-scoring victory of the Sean Payton era, which began in 2006. Still, the Saints will take it, considering their defense limited Favre to 171 yards passing and one score.

Pierre Thomas led the Saints with 71 yards rushing on 19 carries.

His final carry, a 10-yard run up the middle, brought a “Who Dat’ cheer from the raucous Superdome crowd, which turned out early to see the Saints unfurl the Super Bowl champion banner before the game.