Font ResizeDrew Brees and the host New Orleans Saints carved up Bill Belichick's defense, staying unbeaten with a dominant romp over the New England Patriots.
Brees threw for a season-high 371 yards and five touchdowns to five individuals, and the Saints harassed Tom Brady in a 38-17 victory.
By routing one of the NFL's top powers, the Saints joined the Indianapolis Colts at 11-0, the first time two teams have opened with that many wins in the same season. The Saints also left little doubt they have the credentials to match the Patriots' 16-0 regular-season mark in 2007. Their fans roared, "Who dat gonna beat them Saints?"
Brees threw touchdown passes to Pierre Thomas, Devery Henderson, Robert Meachem, Darnell Dinkins and Marques Colston. Brady, returning to the Louisiana Superdome for the first time since leading the Patriots to their first Super Bowl title in 2002, was intercepted twice, sacked once, and hit as he threw several times.
It was the second time the Patriots (7-4) lost to an unbeaten team on the road in three weeks. The Colts beat them 35-34 on Nov. 15.
Eagles: Former Cal star DeSean Jackson's status at wide receiver is uncertain after he sustained a concussion in a 27-24 win over the Washington Redskins. He was injured on a hit after running a short crossing pattern in the third quarter but didn't lose consciousness. Also, running back Brian Westbrook (two concussions) will be re-examined after missing
Falcons: Quarterback Matt Ryan will not play in Atlanta's key NFC home game against the Eagles. Coach Mike Smith said Ryan will miss at least one game with a turf toe injury. Chris Redman, who in his first start since 2007 threw a game-winning touchdown pass with 23 seconds left in a 20-17 win against Tampa Bay, will start against the Eagles. Also, running back Michael Turner aggravated his right ankle sprain, and offense linemen Harvey Dahl (right ankle and Achilles') and Sam Baker (left elbow) were lost for an indefinite period.
Cardinals: Quarterback Kurt Warner (post-concussion symptoms) said he's having hard-to-describe issues with his eyes and plans to see an ophthalmologist. He sat out a 20-17 loss at Tennessee, ending his string of consecutive starts for Arizona at 41 games.
Panthers: Struggling quarterback Jake Delhomme, who threw four more interceptions (he has 18 this season) and had a rating of 12.7 in Carolina's 17-6 loss at the New York Jets, has a broken finger on his throwing hand and may be replaced by untested Matt Moore.
Giants: Quarterback Eli Manning said a stress reaction in his right foot "doesn't bother me, and I don't think about it" during games. Also, linebacker Antonio Pierce (bulging neck disk) was put on injured reserve, ending his season.
Jets: Rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez was limited during the team's light practice with a sore left knee but should play against the Buffalo Bills in Toronto on Thursday.
Chiefs: Coach Todd Haley insisted that fired Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis has not been contacted by the team but he did say he'd eventually prefer somebody else to call the plays.
Browns: Pro Bowl nose tackle Shaun Rogers went on injured reserve and will need surgery after an unspecified lower leg injury. Rogers is the third starter on defense to be lost for the season, joining inside linebackers D'Qwell Jackson and Eric Barton.
Redskins: Defensive end Jeremy Jarmon (knee) and tight end Chris Cooley (broken right ankle) became the eighth and ninth players to go on injured reserve, and running back Clinton Portis (concussion) will miss his fourth consecutive game.
