Brees, Stecker Torch Cardinals, Bring Saints Closer To Wild-Card Berth

New Orleans, LA (AHN) - Drew Brees threw his fourth 300-plus yard game of the year and third-string running back Aaron Stecker ran home for two scores as the Saints keep their postseason hopes alive with a 31-24 win against the free-falling Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.

Brees finished 26-of-30 for 315 yards, the second straight time he has thrown more than 300 after tallying 328 in a 34-14 win against Atlanta last week. Last season's overall leader in passing yards also threw 336 yards against San Francisco and 445 versus Jacksonville in Weeks 8 and 9.

"We're really getting the best out of ourselves right now," Brees said. "This is the time to come together."

Brees took care of the air, and on the ground-it was the replacement Stecker who took over. The eight-year veteran brought the Saints to the end zone twice for 95 yards, filling in admirably for the embattled backfield who were without injured starters Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush.

More importantly, New Orleans stayed in the hunt for the NFC wild-card berth while complicating Arizona's own chances for the postseason. The Saints improved to 7-7, half-a-game behind Minnesota (7-6), which plays Chicago tomorrow. They need to win their last two against Philadelphia and Chicago, and hope that the Vikings lose at least one of their remaining three-against the Bears, Redskins or the Broncos.

Veteran Kurt Warner kept Arizona within the game, until midway in the third quarter. He found three different receivers in each quarter on the way to 233 yards but turned cold in crunchtime, where kicker Neil Rackers managed a 26-yard field goal to peg the final score.

Warner found Troy Bienemann for a one-yard catch to make it 7-0 then Larry Fitzgerald caught a pass for an 18-yard gain to force a 14-all deadlock, 10:01 left in the second period. The Saints took the lead on Brees' throw to David Patten and Stecker's second rush early in the third, 28-14.

Warner again went to the air in the 6:14 mark of the third, finding Ben Patrick for a three-yard catch that made it 28-21. But the Cardinals could not come any closer, as Saints kicker Martin Gramatica kicked a 31-yard field goal for a 31-21 cushion entering the final period.

"It was just too many mistakes for us today," Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "I really believe that we are on the right track. We're getting players in the right situations (but) we're not making those plays. ... Maybe we could use a little more confidence."