Saints Rout Giants 45-7

Saints wide receiver Joe Horn couldn’t wait to spread the word about his big game against the New York Giants.

Horn had four touchdown catches Sunday night in New Orleans’ 45-7 victory over the Giants. After the second score, he made a call in the end zone on a cell phone hidden in the padding of the goal post.

Horn, who scored on receptions of 50, 13, 7 and 18 yards, received a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct and a tongue-lashing from coach Jim Haslett. But he also had a career night, setting a team record for TD receptions.

The three-time Pro Bowler had his 19th game of 100 or more yards, also a team record. He finished with nine catches for 119 yards.

After an acrobatic catch of a 13-yard pass from Aaron Brooks, Horn ducked behind the goal post, where teammate Michael Lewis dug the phone out of the padding and handed it to him. Horn opened the phone, dialed and started talking as he walked back to the bench.

The victory kept the Saints’ slim playoff hopes alive at 7-7.

For the Giants (4-10) it was the sixth straight defeat, further weakening coach Jim Fassel’s hold on his job. New York has been outscored 163-51 during the slide.

Brooks completed 26 of 35 passes for 296 yards and a career-best five touchdowns. New Orleans dominated the Giants, gaining 440 yards to 241. New York converted only one of nine third downs.

Untested quarterback Jesse Palmer replaced Kerry Collins, who was out with a sprained ankle. In his first NFL start, Palmer completed 15 of 26 passes for 140 yards.

The Saints jumped ahead on the opening drive. Brooks connected with Horn on a 50-yard touchdown pass just two minutes and five plays into the game.

John Carney’s 35-yard field goal on New Orleans’ second drive made it 10-0.

Brooks, who lost three of his four fumbles last week, fumbled a handoff on the Saints’ next possession. Dhani Jones recovered New York on the Saints 39. Visanthe Shiancoe’s 4-yard touchdown reception, the rookie’s first score, cut New Orleans’ lead to 10-7. Palmer scrambled for 26 yards on the drive.

After Horn’s second touchdown – and his phone call – made it 17-7, Saints defensive tackle Kenny Smith blocked Matt Bryant’s 43-yard field goal attempt. Fred Thomas ran it 64 yards to make it 24-7 at halftime.

The Saints opened the third quarter with a 7-yard touchdown pass to Horn. This time, Horn walked to Brooks, presented him with the football and hugged him.

Brooks hit Jerome Pathon with a 26-yard touchdown pass to put New Orleans up 38-7 after three quarters. Brooks found Horn a final time from 18 yards, and Haslett pulled his starters.

It was the most points the Saints ever scored at home.