Brees strong as Saints blowout Chiefs

Aug 25, 2007, 17:06 GMT

Kansas City, MO - Drew Brees torched the Chiefs, completing 17-of-19 passes for 182 yards and a touchdown, as the New Orleans Saints routed Kansas City, 30-7.

The Saints quarterback had a sizzling rating of 124.1 in almost two quarters of play, leading New Orleans to three scoring drives against Kansas City's first-team defense.

The Chiefs offense, led by Brodie Croyle, had an awful night. Croyle completed only 5-of-17 passes for 45 yards and an interception for a Chiefs team that did not score until a garbage-time touchdown by Marcus O'Keith.

David Patten had eight grabs for 75 yards and a score, and Lance Moore had six catches for 88 yards. Reggie Bush gained 51 yards on six carries, and Deuce McCallister had six attempts for 14 yards. Pierre Thomas, an undrafted rookie out of Illinois, gained 90 yards on 11 carries and scored two late touchdowns for the Saints.

Running back Larry Johnson, who recently ended his 25-day holdout, did not play for Kansas City.

Olindo Mare booted three field goals, two in the first half before Brees found Patten on a four-yard score with 2:27 left in the second quarter that gave the Saints a 13-0 halftime lead. Mare's third field goal opened the fourth quarter, and Thomas took over on the ground. He ran in from six yards out at 9:40, and scored again from 19 yards out to put the Saints up 30-0 with 4:51 left.

O'Keith finally got the Chiefs on the board with his two-yard scoring plunge with 1:53 remaining.

© 2007 The Sports Network