San Diego - Drew Brees and Philipo Rivers put on a passing display in the first half Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium as the San Diego Chargers took a 24-14 halftime lead over the New Orleans Saints.
Brees, who played his first five seasons with the Chargers and is playing his first game in San Diego with the Saints, was 13 of 17 for 134 yards, one touchdown and one tipped ball interception.
Rivers, who replaced Brees as the Chargers quarterback, was even better completing 14 of 17 passes for 199 yards with two touchdowns, one a 57-yarder to Dontrelle Inman. The other touchdown was a 20-yard strike to tight end Hunter Henry.
The Saints scored on a 1-yard Mark Ingram run and a 4-yard pass from Brees to fullback John Kuhn.
The Chargers got their 10-point lead on a 30-yard field goal from Josh Lambo and a 1-yard touchdown run by Melvin Gordon with 13 seconds left in the half.
The field goal drive was set up by Craig Mager's interception of Brees on a ball tipped by Jason Verrett.
The Saints made several changes to the starting defensive unit. Rookie Vonn Bell started in place of Jairus Byrd, Craig Robertson played middle linebacker in place of James Laurinaitis and Michael Mauti and Nate Stupar started at outside linebackers.
The Saints used a diverse rushing attack with Ingram, Tim Hightower, Daniel Lasco and John Kuhn all getting carries. They were seven of nine on third down but were called for three penalties for 20 yards.
Saints stat leaders
Brees, 13 of 17 for 134 yards with one TD and one interception
Ingram, nine carries for 19 yards
Brandin Cooks, three catches for 31 yards
Charges stat leaders
Rivers, 14 of 17 for 199 yards and two TDs
Melvin Gordon, 11 carries for 31 yards and one TD
Dontrelle Inman, four catches for 89 yards
