Brees dominates as Saints march on

Quarterback Drew Brees put on another master class as the New Orleans Saints scored a 45-28 NFC wild-card playoff win over the Detroit Lions.

Brees threw an incredible 33 of 43 for 466 yards and three touchdowns, setting a record for the most yards thrown in a regulation playoff game, as the Saints turned on the style in the second half to surge into the second round of the playoffs.

Detroit, who were making their first playoff appearance since 1999, showed few signs of nerves early on as Matthew Stafford (28/43, 380yds) connected with Will Heller to give the visitors a 7-0 first-quarter lead.

Darren Sproles crossed for the Saints to level the scores, but another touchdown pass from Stafford, this time to All-Pro receiver Calvin Johnson, had the Lions up 14-10 at the main break.

The second half belonged to Brees though, the 32-year-old showing why he was named the 2011 All-Pro quarterback as he threw three TDs and handed off for two more in a dominant display.

Stafford did his best to stop the Lions from slumping to their seventh consecutive playoff loss, with a second touchdown pass to Johnson making the score 38-28 with just under five minutes to go.

But any hopes Detroit had of a comeback were soon snuffed out, Pierre Thomas crossing from a yard out to ensure the Saints route into the second round of the playoffs, where they will face the 49ers in San Francisco.

In the AFC wild-card game, the Houston Texans shut out the Cincinnati Bengals in the second half to win 31-10 and secure their first ever playoff victory.

The Texans powerful defence and impressive ground game was again the key to victory, with Arian Forster rushing for 153 years and two touchdowns, and veteran Andre Johnson receiving five times for 90 yards and one TD.

The Bengals were in control early and a Mike Nugent field goal early in the quarter had them up 10-7.

But Cincinnati would not trouble the scorers again, and when rookie JJ Watt returned one of Andy Dalton’s three interceptions for a touchdown, the Texans led 17-10.

TJ Yates (11/20, 159yds) threw his only touchdown pass, to Johnson, with a minute remaining in the third quarter to extend Houston’s lead, and when Foster ran 42 yards to score with five minutes remaining in the final period, it was game over.

The win sends Houston into the AFC divisional playoffs, where they will face the Baltimore Ravens.