Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans Saints Match Player Stats On Dec 16, 2012

Saints 41, Buccaneers 0: Drew Brees overcame a mini-slump by posting his second straight four-touchdown game versus Tampa Bay, but host New Orleans saw its flickering postseason aspirations end with Washington's victory.

The Saints (6-8) snapped a three-game losing skid while handing the Buccaneers (6-8) their season-high four straight setback. Tampa Bay's previous seven losses were by a combined 33 points.

After throwing seven interceptions in his last two games, Brees was strong out of the box on Sunday. He completed 12 of his first 13 passes, highlighted by a 9-yard pass over the middle to tight end David Thomas.

Brees, who threw for 307 yards, didn't let up after finding Darren Sproles for a 2-yard score and Lance Moore for a 7-yard scoring strike just prior to halftime. Joseph Morgan reeled in a 34-yard pass to cap New Orleans' opening drive of the third quarter.

Although Josh Freeman threw for a career-best 420 yards and three scores in his previous game versus New Orleans, he struggled mightily on Sunday. Freeman tossed four interceptions before being relieved by backup Dan Orlovsky.

GAME NOTEBOOK: New Orleans was eliminated after Washington posted a 38-21 victory over Cleveland on Sunday. The Redskins held the tiebreaker over the Saints following their season-opening win. ... Tampa Bay's Adam Hayward was seen shoving linebackers coach Bryan Cox as he came off the field. Cox then pointed his finger in Hayward's face before the two were separated. ... New Orleans recorded its first three-interception game since its Super Bowl-winning season in 2009.