NEW ORLEANS -- Drew Brees couldnt quite suppress a smirk as

[carrie201918]

NEW ORLEANS -- Drew Brees couldnt quite suppress a smirk as he deadpanned the Saints prescription for playing better on the road, which is where theyll be for the playoffs. "Theres three main things we need to do," Brees began. "Were going to change up the Gatorade flavour, we feel good about that. Were going to change our travel sweats. Were going to change, at the hotel, the beefy mac (and cheese) recipe the night before, just kind of give it a little extra kick. We feel like those three things are going to help pull us through." For one last time this season, Brees and the Saints proved how tough they are to hang with in the Big Easy, clinching an NFC wild-card spot Sunday with a 42-17 rout of the downtrodden Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Brees was his usual prolific self, passing for four touchdowns and even running for a score as New Orleans (11-5) concluded the regular season 8-0 at home. But the Saints went 3-5 on the road this season, and they had little time to celebrate their widely anticipated triumph over the Bucs before fielding questions about what they can do to change their fortunes outside the Superdome. "Were going to be told all week long that we cant win on the road," right tackle Zack Strief said. "We all acknowledge why people say that, and yet, the other games dont matter -- not anymore." If the Saints can indeed summon Superdome-like performances in the coming weeks, theyll be a dangerous No. 6 seed. New Orleans opens the playoffs Saturday night at NFC East champion Philadelphia. Three of Brees scoring strikes against Tampa Bay went longer than 40 yards -- 76 to Kenny Stills, 44 to Lance Moore and 41 to Robert Meachem. Brees passed for 381 yards, eclipsing 5,000 yards in a season for an unprecedented fourth time. He finished the season with 5,162 yards to go with 39 touchdowns. "We did a lot of things well today at time when we needed to," Saints coach Sean Payton said. "Im proud of how they finished. ... Its hard to get 11 wins in this league." Brees other TD was a 10-yard pass to tight end Jimmy Graham. Mike Glennon passed for 219 yards and two TDs for Tampa Bay (4-12). With doubts swirling about the future of second-year Bucs coach Greg Schiano, Tampa Bay closed the season with losses in its last three games, and four of its last five. "Any time you win only four games, there are definitely going to be some type of changes," right tackle Demar Dotson said. "Upstairs, downstairs-- I dont know what its going to be." The Saints had lost three of their previous four games to set up a season finale they needed to win to assure themselves of a playoff spot. They got back to the post-season for the fourth time in five seasons, the lone exception being 2012, when Payton was suspended the entire season in connection with the NFLs bounty probe. "Obviously, Seans a huge part of" the Saints return to the playoffs, Brees said. "Four out of five years, winning an average of 12 games in every one of those (playoff) years. Thats a big deal." Schiano, meanwhile, coached like he had nothing to lose, trying a fake field goal, which failed, and going for it three times on fourth down, converting one. In the end, his team was overmatched, outgained 468 yards to 290. Asked about his future, Schiano said: "I dont think I have to say anything. Thats not being smug. I come in and do my job the best that I can. Thats other peoples decision." Schiano did call a successful flea-flicker on which Glennon found Tiquan Underwood for a 48-yard score to tie it at 7. Glennon was also intercepted by Keenan Lewis, setting up Brees 9-yard touchdown run in the second half. Pierre Thomas provided New Orleans other second-half score on an 8-yard run. Brees was 17 of 21 for 321 yards in the first half, when he threw all of his scoring passes and had a maximum 158.3 passer rating. His final line was 24 of 31 for 381 yards, no interceptions and a rating of 157.4. Brees went over the 5,000-yard mark in style, hitting Meachem deep down the sideline to make it 21-7. Glennons 1-yard pass to Tim Wright in the corner of the end zone cut it to 21-14, but Stills score made it 28-14, and the Bucs did not threaten again. Notes: Lewis interception was his fourth. ... Saints OLB Junior Gallette had two sacks to reach a career-high 12. ... Tampa Bay gave up season highs in yards and points. ... The Bucs have won four or fewer games in three of the past five seasons. Marvin Bagley III Jersey . -- Sonny Grays fastball wasnt as sharp as it usually is, and the Oakland Athletics young pitcher even had a quirky replay go against him. Nemanja Bjelica Jersey . According to MMAFighting.com, MacDonald needs an x-ray on his right ankle and doctors clearance to fight or he will be subject to a mandatory medical suspension that will end on August 22, 2014. http://www.nbakingsonline.com/Customized/. -- Maple Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf has been suspended two games for his hit from behind on Kevan Miller of the Bruins. Buddy Hield Kings Jersey . Lynn was tied for 16th entering the fourth round, six shots behind leader Paul Waring. He started with two birdies and added three more on his last five holes at the Oceanico Victoria course for an 18-under total of 266. Yogi Ferrell Jersey . The team of Lars Nelson, Daniel Richardsson, Johan Olsson, and anchor Marcus Hellner cruised to victory in the 4x10 km event, winning in a time of one hour, 28 minutes, and 42.ASH, England - Mikko Ilonen defeated top-seeded Henrik Stenson 3 and 1 in the final Sunday to win the World Match Play Championship.Ilonen fought back from being 1 down after four holes against the fifth-ranked Swede on the London Club course at Ash in Kent. It was the 34-year-old Finns fifth European Tour victory and his second this season after winning the Irish Open.Earlier Sunday, Ilonen ended Joost Luitens unbeaten run by beating the Dutchman 2 and 1 in the semifinals, while Stenson won 1 up at the last hole against George Coetzee of South Africa.While I didnt play so well this morning, I didnt make any mistakes this afternoon against Henrik, said Ilonen. (I) felt like I had a good chance to beat him and I did.Three years ago Ilonens career was in chaos, having sustained an ankle injury that required surgery and kept him out of the second half of the 2011 season.Howeveer, after falling to 334th in the world rankings early in 2012, Ilonen has continued to improve.dddddddddddd He finished 23rd on the money list last year.Stenson seized the early initiative, winning the fourth with a birdie. But Ilonen took the next hole with a par and went 1 up with a birdie at the eighth. He increased his lead to 3 up by the 12th.Stenson won the 13th with a birdie but Ilonen hit back immediately to stay 3 up at the 14th.However, Stenson then birdied the par-five 15th to get back to 2 down before both players parred the 16th and Ilonen won with a birdie at the 17th.I was quite low on energy this afternoon and I also feel like I have been battling my swing in these windy conditions, Stenson said.Victory earned Ilonen his highest tour prize of 650,000 euros ($830,000)In the third-place playoff, Luiten defeated Coetzee at the first extra hole. ' ' '