Brees throws 5 TDs as Saints rout Vikings 42-20

Lance Moore, Jamarca Sanford
New Orleans Saints' Lance Moore (16) breaks away from Minnesota Vikings' Jamarca Sanford (33) for a 47-yard touchdown reception during the second half of the game Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011, in Minneapolis.
AP Photo/Morry Gash

By JON KRAWCZYNSKI, AP Sports Writer

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Drew Brees threw for 412 yards and five touchdowns to lead the New Orleans Saints to their sixth win in a row, 42-20 over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.

Brees completed 32 of 40 passes to help the Saints (11-3) overcome a slow and sloppy start and stay two games ahead of Atlanta in the NFC South. Brees now is just 304 yards from breaking Dan Marino's single-season record with two games to play.

Brees threw two touchdown passes to Lance Moore and one each to Darren Sproles, Jimmy Graham and John Gilmore.

The maligned Saints pass defense held the Vikings to 94 yards passing. Adrian Peterson rushed for 60 yards in his return from a three-game absence for the Vikings (2-12).

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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