Drew Brees threw three touchdown passes, rookie Chris Ivory rushed for 158 yards and the visiting New Orleans Saints cruised to a 31-6 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.

The Saints (4-2) kept Tampa Bay off the scoreboard until late in the fourth quarter, holding the Bucs (3-2) to 40 rushing yards on 18 attempts.

Brees completed 21 of 32 passes for 263 yards with one interception. He threw a pair of long touchdown passes in the first half, hitting Lance Moore for a 41-yard score and hooking up with Robert Meachem for a 42-yard touchdown. He also tossed a 4-yard touchdown to fullback Heath Evans in the third quarter.

Ivory excelled in place of injured Pierre Thomas, who missed a third consecutive game with an ankle injury. The undrafted rookie from Tiffin University gained 158 yards on 15 carries.

Ladell Betts scored on a 1-yard run in the fourth quarter for New Orleans.

Josh Freeman connected with Micheal Spurlock on a 2-yard touchdown pass for Tampa Bay's lone score.