Drew Brees, Saints lead Cardinals 45-14 after 3 quarters; Kurt Warner returns after hard hit

Saints lead Cardinals 45-14 after 3 quarters

NEW ORLEANS — The Arizona Cardinals scored on a 70-yard run in the opening seconds of Saturday’s NFC divisional playoff game. The New Orleans Saints answered with scoring drives on their first three possessions and an 83-yard punt return to take a 45-14 lead after the third quarter.

Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner left the game in the second quarter after taking a hard hit on an interception return, but he returned after halftime. Backup Matt Leinart spelled Warner for a series.

On the game’s first play from scrimmage, Tim Hightower ran 70 yards for a touchdown to put the Cardinals up 7-0.

New Orleans came back with a 10-play, 72-yard drive that ended with a 1-yard scoring run by Lynell Hamilton. On their next possession, the Saints went up 14-7 when Drew Brees threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Shockey.

After the Saints recovered a fumble, Reggie Bush ran 46 yards for a touchdown on their third possession to give New Orleans a 21-7 lead.

Beanie Wells gave the Cardinals their second touchdown on a 4-yard run with about five minutes remaining in the second quarter.

In the last three minutes of the second quarter, Brees hit Devery Henderson on a 44-yard touchdown pass, and threw a 2-yard pass to Marques Colston to make the score 35-14.

The Saints went up 38-14 with a 43-yard field goal after the half.

New Orleans added a field goal after the half. Then Bush ran a punt return 83 yards for a touchdown midway through the third quarter for a 45-14 lead going into the fourth quarter.