Foxboro, Mass. - New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees made a cameo appeareance Thursday night against the New England Patriots - completing one pass for 37 yards - and then turned the first half over to second-year QB Garrett Grayson.

After a very rough start - Grayson's first pass was intercepted and returned 43 yards for a touchdown by linebacker Jamie Collins - the Colorado State product settled in and had a solid half. He completed 10 of 16 passes for 133 yards and moved the Saints to two 1-yard touchdown runs by Mark Ingram as the Saints trailed the Patriots 17-16 at halftime.

Ingram had seven carries for 18 yards and one fumble to go along with his two touchdowns. Rookie Michael Thomas had a strong half with four catches for 67 yards including two highlight grabs down the sideline.

Defensive end Kasim Edebali had a strong half for the Saints defense, sacking Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo twice. Returner Marcus Murphy had the Saints other highlight with a 50-yard punt return.