Saints rally again, move to 8-0

Last update: November 9, 2009 - 6:01 AM

NEW ORLEANS - Drew Brees and the Saints' prolific offense never had to play from behind in their first five games.

Mastering the comeback in their past three has gotten New Orleans off to the best start in the franchise's 43-year history.

New Orleans moved to 8-0 on Sunday when Brees overcame two early turnovers to pass for 330 yards and a touchdown in a 30-20 victory over the Carolina Panthers.

"That's great. I mean, 1967 until now and we're the only [Saints] team to have done that," Brees said. "That's really special. I feel like we've got a special group of guys, a special team, and certainly we're not satisfied with just being 8-0."

While the Saints did not intercept a pass for the first time all season, their defense forced three turnovers on fumbles. The last produced New Orleans' seventh defensive touchdown of the season on Anthony Hargrove's strip, recovery and 1-yard return with two minutes left in the game.

DeAngelo Williams rushed for 149 yards and two TDs, and Carolina gained 182 yards on the ground. But it was Williams' fumble at his 1 that led to the clinching TD.

After failing to score a touchdown in the first half for the first time all season, the Saints needed four plays to produce Pierre Thomas' 10-yard TD run that cut Carolina's lead to 17-13 to open the third quarter.

New Orleans tied it 20-20 on Robert Meachem's leaping catch and run for a 54-yard score at the end of the third quarter.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

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