Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Saints Make Playoff Move, Beat 'Zona

Also, Panthers win low-scoring battle while Tampa routs Atlanta

By Mike Buss,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 16, 2007 7:46 PM CST
Email

(Newser) – New Orleans, essentially playing must-win games every week, got one today over fellow playoff hopeful Arizona, 31-24. Quarterback Drew Brees was outstanding, completing nearly 90 percent of his passes, while Aaron Stecker balanced the offense with 95 yards rushing and two scores, reports the Times-Picayune. The Saints (7-7) also pressured Cardinals QB Kurt Warner into two turnovers. Elsewhere:

  • Rookie Matt Moore was mistake-free and outplayed his veteran counterpart Matt Hasselbeck as Carolina defeated Seattle 13-10. All the scoring came in the fourth quarter.
  • New coach, same result for the listless Atlanta Falcons, who were whipped by Tampa Bay, 37-3. The Bucs, who clinched the NFC South title, had their first kickoff return touchdown in team history.

New Orleans Saints running back Aaron Stecker runs the ball as Arizona Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby goes for the tackle during the first half of their game in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007. The Saints won 31-24. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
New Orleans Saints running back Aaron Stecker runs the ball as Arizona Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby goes for the tackle during the first half of their game in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007....   (Associated Press)
New Orleans Saints running back Pierre Thomas is hit by Arizona Cardinals cornerback Michael Adams during the first half of their game in the Superdome in New Orleans Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007.(AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
New Orleans Saints running back Pierre Thomas is hit by Arizona Cardinals cornerback Michael Adams during the first half of their game in the Superdome in New Orleans Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007.(AP Photo/Ann...   (Associated Press)
New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton signals a touchdown in the first half of their 31-24 win over the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton signals a touchdown in the first half of their 31-24 win over the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)   (Associated Press)
New Orleans Saints safety Kevin Kaesviharn, bottom, breaks up a passs intended for Arizona Cardinals running back J.J. Arrington during the first half of the Saints' 31-24 win on Sunday. (AP Photo/Judi Bottoni)
New Orleans Saints safety Kevin Kaesviharn, bottom, breaks up a passs intended for Arizona Cardinals running back J.J. Arrington during the first half of the Saints' 31-24 win on Sunday. (AP Photo/Judi...   (Associated Press)
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner, left, talks with New Orleans Saints Drew Brees after their NFL football game in the Superdome in New Orleans Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007. The Saints won 31-24. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner, left, talks with New Orleans Saints Drew Brees after their NFL football game in the Superdome in New Orleans Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007. The Saints won 31-24. (AP...   (Associated Press)
Seattle Seahawks' Matt Hasselbeck (8) fumbles the ball as he is sacked by Carolina Panthers' Thomas Davis (58) during the fourth quarter of the Panthers' 13-10 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007. The Panthers recovered the ball. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Seattle Seahawks' Matt Hasselbeck (8) fumbles the ball as he is sacked by Carolina Panthers' Thomas Davis (58) during the fourth quarter of the Panthers' 13-10 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte,...   (Associated Press)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck holds his helmet in disgust after being sacked for a loss of eight yards and fumbling the ball as Carolina Panthers cornerback Richard Marshall, left, celebrates his fumble recovery during NFL action at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. on Sunday, Dec. 16,...
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck holds his helmet in disgust after being sacked for a loss of eight yards and fumbling the ball as Carolina Panthers cornerback Richard Marshall, left, celebrates...   (Associated Press)
Carolina Panthers' DeAngelo Williams (34) runs past Seattle Seahawks' Deon Grant (24) for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the Panthers' 13-10 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' DeAngelo Williams (34) runs past Seattle Seahawks' Deon Grant (24) for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the Panthers' 13-10 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday,...   (Associated Press)
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) is tackled by Seattle Seahawks' Kelly Jennings (21) during the third quarter of the Panthers' 13-10 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) is tackled by Seattle Seahawks' Kelly Jennings (21) during the third quarter of the Panthers' 13-10 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 16,...   (Associated Press)
Carolina Panthers' DeAngelo Williams (34) is lifted by teammate Mike Wahle (68) after Williams' touchdown run in the fourth quarter of the Panthers' 13-10 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' DeAngelo Williams (34) is lifted by teammate Mike Wahle (68) after Williams' touchdown run in the fourth quarter of the Panthers' 13-10 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C.,...   (Associated Press)
Carolina Panthers' Matt Moore throws a pass during their 13-10 win over the Seattle Seahawks in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Carolina Panthers' Matt Moore throws a pass during their 13-10 win over the Seattle Seahawks in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)   (Associated Press)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Earnest Graham (34) dives over the Atlanta Falcons defensive line to score during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday Dec. 16, 2007, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Scott Audette)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Earnest Graham (34) dives over the Atlanta Falcons defensive line to score during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday Dec. 16, 2007, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Scott...   (Associated Press)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Gaine Adams, left, knocks the ball away from Atlanta Falcons quarterback Chris Redman during the second quarter of their NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Scott Audette)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Gaine Adams, left, knocks the ball away from Atlanta Falcons quarterback Chris Redman during the second quarter of their NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007, in Tampa, Fla....   (Associated Press)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Gaine Adams, left, knocks the ball away from Atlanta Falcons quarterback Chris Redman during the second quarter of their NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2007, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Scott Audette)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Gaine Adams, left, knocks the ball away from Atlanta Falcons quarterback Chris Redman during the second quarter of their NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2007, in Tampa, Fla....   (Associated Press)
Atlanta Falcons interim head coach Emmitt Thomas questions a call on the field during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday Dec. 16, 2007, in Tampa, Fla. Thomas replaced Bobby Petrino who quit unexpectedly earlier in the week. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Atlanta Falcons interim head coach Emmitt Thomas questions a call on the field during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday Dec. 16, 2007, in Tampa, Fla. Thomas replaced Bobby Petrino...   (Associated Press)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Michael Spurlock (17) takes the kickoff and runs it back for a touchdown, the first in Buccaneers history, during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons Sunday Dec. 16, 2007, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Scott Audette)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Michael Spurlock (17) takes the kickoff and runs it back for a touchdown, the first in Buccaneers history, during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

Panthers 13 Seahawks 10

Box score
NFL

Rookie QB leads Panthers to win
Associated Press

Bucs 37 Falcons 3

Box score
NFL

Bucs blow out Atlanta
Associated Press

 
NFL • Atlanta Falcons • Arizona Cardinals • Carolina Panthers • football • New Orleans Saints • Drew Brees • Seattle Seahawks • Tampa Bay Buccaneers

More Newser Stories

Titans Clinch; Jets Fall Short

Hester, Bears Knock Playoff Halo Off Saints

Pats Sink Bills 49-21, Clinch Top AFC Seed

Colts, Saints Advance

NFL Playoffs Feature Rematches
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne