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Brees, Saints have easy time with Rams

Dec 13, 2010 - 6:11 AM New Orleans, LA (Sports Network) - Marques Colston caught two touchdown passes and Malcolm Jenkins returned one of his two interceptions for a score, as the New Orleans Saints cruised past the St. Louis Rams, 31-13, at the Superdome.

Drew Brees threw for 221 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions on 25-of-40 throws for the Saints (10-3), who despite a six-game winning streak are still one game behind the NFC South-leading Falcons, a 31-10 winner over the Panthers on Sunday.

"Typically, the guys that make the most noise get noticed the most," Brees said. "There's plenty of those guys in those league, but Marques quietly goes about his business. I think you could argue that he's been one of the most consistent receivers the last five years."

Sam Bradford tossed for 231 yards on 18-of-32 attempts but threw two picks in the red zone for the Rams (6-7), who remain tied with the Seahawks atop the NFC West. Seattle dropped a 40-21 decision to the San Francisco 49ers, who are now just one game behind the division leaders.

Steven Jackson amassed 134 yards from scrimmage in defeat.

The Saints scored on a pair of lengthy first-quarter drives and never looked back.

On 3rd-and-goal from the six, Colston brought in a Brees pass in the back of the end zone and got both feet inbounds to cap a 13-play, 72-yard march.

Jackson rumbled for a big gain on the next possession, but Darren Sharper stripped the running back from behind near midfield. Jabari Greer recovered the fumble -- Jackson's first in 562 touches -- at the Saints' 39-yard line.

A penalty negated a New Orleans touchdown a little later and set up 3rd-and- goal from the 17. Nevertheless, Brees fired a strike to Colston and the receiver held on for the score despite taking a big hit just beyond the goal line.

"We knew it would be a challenge...They're up-tempo and they keep you off balance," Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo said of the opposition.

Josh Brown brought the Rams closer with 38- and 45-yard field goals in the second quarter. Courtney Roby fumbled away the kickoff following the latter kick with just under two minutes left in the half.

Roby was carted off the field on a stretcher, and after a lengthy delay and a short run by Jackson, Jenkins intercepted Bradford's pass along the sideline and took it 96 yards the other way for a 21-6 cushion at the break.

Brown missed a 46-yard try early in the third quarter, and the Saints responded with a 64-yard drive to extend the margin. On the eighth play of the march, Brees' pump fake allowed Lance Moore to get open in the end zone, where he hauled in the 31-yard pass with 4:55 remaining in the frame.

Garrett Hartley added a 40-yard field goal in the opening minute of the fourth, and Jenkins picked off Bradford in the end zone to end the Rams' next drive and their hopes of a comeback.

Bradford snuck in from the one for a touchdown with 5:23 left to account for the final score.

Game Notes

Roby was taken to a local hospital after the injury. He has movement in all his extremities...Jackson rushed 16 times for 96 yards and caught four passes for 38 yards. He also became the first Rams player with six consecutive 1,000- yard rushing seasons...Pierre Thomas, in his first action since Week 3 due to a severely sprained left ankle, gained 39 yards on 12 carries...Moore led all receivers with 70 yards on five receptions.