Saints hold off Vikings 14-9 to start season

Drew Brees and the Saints  extended New Orleans' post-Super Bowl euphoria for at least another week and handed Brett Favre a second straight loss in the Louisiana Superdome.

Brees completed 27 of 36 passes for 237 yards and one touchdown, and the Saints survived a hard-fought season opener for a 14-9 victory Thursday night.

It wasn't the most spectacular way to open a title defense, considering it was a rematch of the riveting 2009 NFC title game last January, in which the Saints took an overtime win to advance to their first Super Bowl.

However the Saints have to like the way the defense handled Favre and the Vikings.

SCORING SUMMARY

1st Quarter
	TD	12:56	Devery Henderson 29 yd pass from Drew Brees (Garrett Hartley kick) Plays: 5 | Yards: 77 | Time: 2:04
2nd Quarter
	FG	5:28	Ryan Longwell 41 yd FG Plays: 16 | Yards: 66 | Time: 9:25
	TD	0:34	Visanthe Shiancoe 20 yd pass from Brett Favre (blocked XP) Plays: 5 | Yards: 64 | Time: 0:45
3rd Quarter
	TD	6:13	Pierre Thomas 1 yd run (Garrett Hartley kick) Plays: 11 | Yards: 74 | Time: 6:43

Minnesota Vikings 1st Downs 12 3rd down efficiency 5 - 13 4th down efficiency 0 - 0 Total Yards 253 Passing 162 Completion - Attempts 15 - 27 Yards per pass 5.8 Rushing 91 Rushing Attempts 23 Yards per rush 4.0 Penalties 6 - 60 Turnovers 1 Fumbles lost 0 Interceptions thrown 1 Possession 26:17

New Orleans Saints 1st Downs 18 3rd down efficiency 3 - 11 4th down efficiency 0 - 0 Total Yards 308 Passing 229 Completion - Attempts 27 - 36 Yards per pass 6.2 Rushing 79 Rushing Attempts 25 Yards per rush 3.2 Penalties 3 - 20 Turnovers 0 Fumbles lost 0 Interceptions thrown 0 Possession 33:43