After setting numerous club records on offense and scoring in a 62-7 rout of the Indianapolis Colts, the New Orleans Saints will seek to improve to 6-2 and increase their lead in the NFC South to one and a half games at the regular season's midpoint with a visit to the St. Louis Rams (0-7) on Sunday at Noon (CT).
While the Colts had the ball first, Saints LB Jonathan Vilma picked up a mishandled snap to set up New Orleans' first touchdown drive. By the end of the first 15 minutes of the contest,
New Orleans set a club record for first quarter scoring after staking out a 21-0 lead. By the end of the evening, New Orleans had set a club record for scoring, tying the NFL mark since the league merger in 1970. As evidence of their offensive dominance, the Saints rolled up 557 total net yards, their second-highest total ever and also set a club record with 36 first downs.
QB Drew Brees completed 31-of-35 passes for 325 yards with five touchdowns, zero interceptions and a 144.9 passer rating in three quarters of play. He completed seven passes for 98 yards with two scores to WR Marques Colston, while TE Jimmy Graham had six catches for 54 yards and two touchdowns. The New Orleans rushing attack accounted for 236 yards, the most in a game since 2006. Mark Ingram was the leading rusher for both clubs with 14 carries for 91 yards.
Defensively, the Saints allowed Colts QB Curtis Painter to complete only 9-of-17 passes for 67 yards, one interception and a 38.1 passer rating, the first meeting between the two clubs since New Orleans' 31-7 victory in Super Bowl XLIV. The Saints forced three turnovers, including a 42-yard interception return for a touchdown by CB Leigh Torrence, while the New Orleans offense did not turn the ball over once.
DATE: Sunday, Oct. 30
TIME: Noon (CT)
SITE: Edward Jones Dome
WORTH NOTING:
The Rams lead the all-time series between these longtime NFC West foes 3831, but New Orleans has captured the last two meetings, including a 31-13 win at the Superdome on December 12, 2010.
New Orleans is currently ranked second in the NFL in offense (ninth rushing, second passing) and 14th on defense (15th rushing, 16th passing).
St. Louis is currently ranked 28th in the NFL in offense (26th rushing, 23rd passing) and 29th on defense (32nd rushing, 13th passing).
TV/RADIO INFO:
Sunday's contest will be regionally televised on FOX (WVUE-8 in the New Orleans area) with Chris Myers handling play-by-play, Tim Ryan serving as color analyst and Jennifer Hale as sideline reporter.
The game can be heard throughout the Gulf Coast on the Saints Radio Network (870 AM or 105.3 FM serve as the flagship stations locally in the New Orleans area) with Jim Henderson handling play-by-play duties, former Saints FB and scout Hokie Gajan serving as color analyst and Kristian Garic reporting from the Saints sideline.
A Spanish language broadcast is available on WFNO 830 AM with Victor Quinonez handling play-by-play duties and Marco Garcia serving as the color analyst.
