NEW ORLEANS — The Saints raced out to the lead behind Drew Brees’ fast start, and then Malcolm Jenkins protected it with a pair of big defensive plays.
Brees threw for three scores, Jenkins returned one of his two interceptions 96 yards for his first career touchdown, and New Orleans won its sixth straight game 31-13 over the St. Louis Rams on Sunday.
Marques Colston had a pair of touchdown catches in traffic as New Orleans (10-3) jumped to a 14-0 lead and never trailed. Lance Moore made a 31-yard touchdown catch.
Rams rookie Sam Bradford scored the only St. Louis touchdown on a short keeper. He passed for 231 yards and was intercepted twice, both times near the Saints’ goal line.
Bradford’s first interception was especially costly, giving the Saints a 21-6 lead when it appeared the Rams (6-7) were about to pull within one score late in the second quarter.
Steven Jackson rushed for 96 yards but turned the ball over once on a fumble, stalling a promising drive across midfield.
Although the Rams fell below .500, they remained in a first-place tie in the NFC West with Seattle (6-7), which lost at San Francisco.
That means St. Louis could conceivably host New Orleans in the first round of the playoffs if the Rams hold on to win their division and the Saints are unable to surpass Atlanta (11-2) in the NFC West.
If that matchup pans out, the Saints will have to like their chances, even on the road.
The Saints rushed for 132 yards as a team, helped by the return of Pierre Thomas, who had missed the last nine games with a sprained left ankle.
