Brees throws 4 TD passes, runs for another in romp

Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS

Drew Brees passed for 363 yards and four touchdowns and ran for another score as the New Orleans Saints walloped the New York Giants, 49-24.

After three quarters, tight end Jimmy Graham had five catches for 84 yards, including touchdowns of 5 and 29 yards.

Brees’ two other scoring strikes went to Lance Moore, who had five catches for 54 yards.

Marques Colston had three catches for 78 yards, all on the Saints’ 34-second, 88-yard touchdown drive late in the second quarter.

Colston’s longest reception went for 50 yards when he caught a pass along the left sideline, slipped a tackle and raced up field.

The Giants took a beating on the scoreboard and on the field. Defensive end Osi Umenyiora went out with a sprained ankle and receiver Hakeem Nicks was rocked by a vicious collision with Saints rookie safety Isa Abdul-Quddus.

Nicks stayed in the game despite bruised ribs.

The Giants did not get into the end zone until Brandon Jacobs steamrolled safety Roman Harper on an 8-yard scoring run that made it 21-10, but the Saints went right back down the field and scored on Brees’ 8-yard scramble.

After Giants running back Da’Rell Scott fumbled on his own 29, Brees connected with Graham, who rumbled down the left sideline and dove for the pylon for his second TD of the game, and his team-leading eighth receiving score of the season.

The Saints struck first early in the second quarter on Brees’ 4-yard touchdown pass to Moore, who snagged a quick pass on the right side and dove to stretch the ball across the goal line before he was tackled.