QBREES9

Saints strengthen their playoff position with win
Associated Press
NEW ORLEANS -- No botched trick plays this time as the New Orleans Saints protected a one-score lead to keep themselves alive in the NFC wild-card chase.

Drew Brees connected on 87 percent of his throws for 315 yards and two touchdowns, capping his day with a clutch, 22-yard third-down completion to Billy Miller. That allowed the Saints to safely run out the clock in a 31-24 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.

When New Orleans (7-7) last played in the Louisiana Superdome two games ago, a fumble on a botched reverse set up Tampa Bay's winning touchdown inside the final half-minute.

With a loss severely hurting playoff hopes for either team, the game was a high-anxiety affair.

Played indoors, it was still no less sloppy than some of the weather-affected contests far to the north. Fumbles by each team set up opponents' scores. Roman Harper's interception of Kurt Warner's tipped pass set up another Saints touchdown.

Halo

The end of the game felt a lot like the bucs game... much different outcome this time.