NFL 2011 Week 9 - Brees Throws Two TDs to Lead Saints Past Buccaneers

Brees Throws Two TDs to Lead Saints Past Buccaneers
John Nestor

New Orleans, LA

The New Orleans Saints remain on top of the NFC South Division after posting a 27-16 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday afternoon.

It was an important game for the Saints, who were coming off a loss to the St. Louis Rams and had already lost once to the Bucaneers earlier this season.

Drew Brees threw a pair of touchdown passes for New Orleans to extend his streak of consecutive games with at least one touchdown pass to 36. Brees' streak is tied with Brett Favre for the second-longest streak in NFL history.

Brees completed 27-of-36 passes for 259 yards. He also has completed 20 or more passes in an NFL-record 29 consecutive games for the Saints (6-3).

The Saints maintained their half-game lead over Atlanta, a 31-7 winner at Indianapolis on Sunday, heading into next weekend's showdown at the Georgia Dome.

The Bucs (4-4) had won in their past two trips to New Orleans, getting big games from quarterback Josh Freeman. Freeman was 27-of-37 for 281 yards and a touchdown .