Saints score on opening drive, lead Vikings 7-0 after 1st quarter

more images

more images

Saints lead Vikings 7-0 after 1st quarter

NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Saints — the top offense in the league last year — needed only five plays and three completions from Drew Brees to take a 7-0 lead over the Minnesota Vikings in the season opener Thursday night.

The defending Super Bowl champion Saints, who scored 10 times on the opening drive last year — seven touchdowns and three field goals, — took the lead on a 29-yard pass from Brees to Devery Henderson.

Brees, who led the NFL with a 109.6 passer rating last season, completed 3 of 4 for 69 yards on the drive. Brees completed passes to eight players in the first quarter, and was 12 of 15 for 138 yards.

The Saints held the football for nine minutes in the quarter.

Brett Farve, entering his 20th NFL season, looked comfortable and was well protected by the Vikings line, but had trouble finding receivers. Farve was 2 of 4 for 22 yards.

Minnesota’s drives were stalled by three penalties for 35 yards.

Farve had to contend with the noise in the Superdome. The Saints fans were on their feet before the game when the Super Bowl banner was revealed in pregame ceremonies and did not sit down once play began.