New Orleans, LA (My Sportsbook) - Drew Brees and Mark Brunell each threw a touchdown pass, leading the
New Orleans Saints past the
Cincinnati Bengals, 17-7, in the preseason opener for both clubs.
Brees played three series, lasting into the second quarter, and completed 6- of-9 passes for 88 yards, including a 22-yard scoring strike to Jeremy Shockey. Brunell went 9-of-13 passing for 128 yards, including a 64-yard touchdown pass to Robert Meachem. Neither quarterback threw an interception.
Meachem finished with three receptions for 77 yards, while Shockey had three catches for 61 yards. Reggie Bush, who had microfracture surgery on his knee, gained five yards on three rush attempts.
The new-look Saints defense, under new coordinator Gregg Williams, allowed the Bengals to gain 379 total yards but held them to seven points after forcing three turnovers.
Carson Palmer returned to the field after missing 12 of Cincinnati's final 13 games last season, opting not to have surgery on his injured throwing elbow. Palmer played the first quarter and threw for 133 yards on 7-of-11 passing, including an interception.
Chris Henry accounted for the lone Bengals touchdown, catching a 14-yard scoring pass from J.T. O'Sullivan in the second quarter. O'Sullivan completed 9-of-11 passes for 100 yards without throwing an interception.
The game was tied, 7-7, at halftime after Shockey's touchdown in the opening minutes of the second quarter was answered by Henry's score in the final seconds of the stanza.
New Orleans moved ahead for good in the third, when Brunell launched his 64- yard touchdown pass to Meachem midway through the period, and Garrett Hartley added a 54-yard field goal 4 1/2 minutes into the fourth to account for the final margin.
Game Notes
The Saints defense ranked 23rd in the league last year against the pass and 26th in points allowed...The Bengals, who had 289 net yards passing, finished 30th in the league last year in passing and last in scoring...Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco had two catches for 73 yards, while Saints wide receiver Marques Colston registered one catch for 14 yards.
