The New Orleans Saints scored early thanks to some pinpoint passing from quarterback Drew Brees, taking an early 14-0 lead over the St. Louis Rams. Brees was 13-for-15 with 97 yards passing and two touchdowns in his first two drives, and Chris Ivory, taking the bulk of the early carries, had seven for 47 yards. After an unsportsmanlike play penalty nullified a two-yard pass for a touchdown Brees threw a 17-yarder to Marques Colston on the next play.
The St. Louis Rams’ first drive started off strong but ended in a turnover when Steven Jackson fumbled following a 20-yard rush and the Saints recovered near midfield. Brees and Ivory were all the Saints needed to get back into the red zone, with a short pass to Pierre Thomas the Saints’ former starter’s first play in months. Reggie Bush received one carry for three yards in the first quarter, which was dominated by the Saints’ offense, on the field for more than 12 minutes.
The Rams, who’ve been on offense for a little over a minute in the first quarter, find themselves in the unenviable position of playing catch-up with the New Orleans Saints. Sam Bradford is 1-for-2 with a 10 yard pass to tight end Daniel Fells; Steven Jackson has two carries for 24 yards and the devastating fumble.