Brees leads Saints to win vs. Giants – USATODAY.com

Brees converted 24 of 38 passes for 363 yards. He amassed 265 yards as part of a torrid 17-for-25 opening half that put New Orleans in command 21-3. It was fairly easy for the Saints after that as the 8-3 NFC South leaders remained unbeaten through five games in the Big Easy.

As impressively as Brees and his offense operated in piling up 577 net yards, the four-time Pro Bowler is hungry for more.

"I expect perfection," he said. "I know that's impossible to achieve but I always strive for it. I know there are always things I can do better."

But not too many.

"He's throwing the ball with great rhythm and anticipation," head coach Sean Payton said. "He would tell you we're doing a good job of protecting. We had the balance we're looking for."

Payton was especially encouraged that New Orleans rushed for 205 yards and three scores. Rookie Mark Ingram led the way with 13 carries for 80 yards, including a 35-yard dash into the end zone to complete the scoring.

"I thought we ran it well. We ran it very well," Payton said. "Those are all things that are good allies for a quarterback."

New York dropped to 6-5 with its third consecutive defeat and fell one game behind the Dallas Cowboys for the NFC East lead. With the 11-0 Green Bay Packers visiting next Sunday, the Giants appear to be in danger of another second-half collapse under head coach Tom Coughlin. The 2007 Super Bowl champions slipped to 24-34 after midseason since Coughlin arrived in 2004.

Brees connected with wide receiver Lance Moore on scoring passes of 4 and 10 yards. He also combined with tight end Jimmy Graham from 5 and 29 yards out. His 8-yard draw - he smiled broadly as he dived across the goal line with his first rushing touchdown since 2009 - stretched New Orleans' margin to 28-10 with 5:48 left in the third quarter.

"We weren't able to cover them," Coughlin said of his defense's woes. "They put themselves in position with simple little throws. They beat us in the flat a couple of times. And down the sidelines. They have good personnel, and they distributed it."

New Orleans, showing no rust whatsoever as it came off a bye with a glittering turnover-free performance, swept all three of its November games. The Saints improved to an NFL-best 13-2 record since 2008 in the month that typically begins to separate contenders from also-rans.

Coughlin believed a critical factor was his team's inability to exert pressure on Brees.

"We didn't get to the passer," he said. "When we don't get to the passer, we have trouble."

Outgunned New York started the evening knowing it would be important to make the most of every possession if it was to keep pace with the Saints. That point was reiterated early.

Eli Manning, losing in his hometown for the second time in as many starts in his eight-year career, guided the visitors from their 10-yard line to New Orleans' 18. But they came away empty when his pass over the middle to tight end Jake Ballard was intercepted by linebacker Will Herring in the end zone with 4:27 left in a scoreless opening quarter.

Brees capitalized on the turnover with a 10-play drive that covered 80 yards and ended in his 4-yard toss to Moore on the first play of the second quarter.

New York responded with a 42-yard field goal by Lawrence Tynes. But it would take much more to beat dem Saints. They embarked on another 80-yard drive, this one ending in Brees' 5-yard dart to Graham.

They closed their first-half barrage with an 88-yard advance. Brees hit Moore from 10 yards out, extending his club's domination to 21-3 at halftime.