NEW ORLEANS -- Sean Payton had a surprise in store for a Seattle defense that thrives on harassing quarterbacks and physically intimidating receivers.The Saints coach dialed back New Orleans prolific passing game and challenged his running backs and offensive line to deliver as much punishment to Seahawks defenders as they could.Drew Brees wound up well short of his typical passing numbers in the Superdome -- 265 yards and one touchdown -- but the Saints (3-4) pulled out a 25-20 victory they sorely needed to improve their prospects for climbing back into the NFC playoff picture.It doesnt really have to be aesthetically pleasing to be effective, Payton asserted. The key is winning.The victory wasnt assured until the New Orleans much-maligned defense, which entered the game ranked 29th in the NFL, came up with a stop on the Seahawks final drive, which started on the Seattle 32 with 1:50 left. Russell Wilson took the Seahawks (4-2-1) to the New Orleans 10, where he had one final play. He lofted a pass toward the corner of the end zone, where Jermaine Kearse caught the ball, but landed out of bounds.It was close. I tried to give him a shot, Wilson said of his last throw to Kearse, adding that cornerback B.W. Webb did a good job of trying to drive him out of bounds. I think he got one (foot) in and was trying to get the second one down. The last drive was a testament to our resilience.The Saints rushed 35 times and passed 35 times -- certainly not the M.O. for a team that entered the game with a second-ranked passing offense and 28th-ranked running game. But it was effective. New Orleans gained 123 yards on the ground with Tim Hightower gaining 102, making him the first Saint this season to rush for 100. New Orleans also kept possession for 36:12 to Seattles 23:48.We knew coming in here it was going to be a physical game, Hightower said. In that fourth quarter, I looked over on their sideline and saw a couple of those guys on their knees and I said, `This is exactly where we want them.Wilson finished with 253 yards passing and was intercepted once by linebacker Nathan Stupar, whose diving snag set up the Saints first TD on Brees 1-yard dive over a pile of players. Brees lone touchdown pass went to Brandin Cooks on a 2-yard slant , which gave the Saints the lead for good early in the fourth quarter.Wil Lutz kicked field goals of 22, 53, 21 and 41 yards for the Saints, the latter coming with under two minutes left to put Seattle down by more than a field goal.MINI SLUMP: Seattle has gone two straight games without a win, having tied Arizona last week, but the Seahawks hardly seem concerned.The great thing is we have all the players, we have the right system, we have the right guys, Wilson said. We are going to be able to do it. This is nothing that we havent faced before.MISLEADING STATS: While the Saints held numerous statistical advantages in several categories, big plays on both sides of the ball helped Seattle lead 14-13 at halftime and keep it close throughout.Seattle defensive end Cliff Avril forced Mark Ingrams fumble in the first quarter. It popped straight to safety Earl Thomas, who sprinted into the open field for a 34-yard touchdown.A trick play set up Seattles second score. Wilson threw a backward screen to his left to receiver Tanner McEvoy, who then threw deep back across the field for a 43-yard completion to running back C.J. Prosise to the Saints 2. That set up Christine Michaels TD run, making it 14-3.Seattles defense also forced a field goal in the third quarter after the Saints had a first-and-goal on the 1 and thwarted a Saints 2-point conversion attempt after Cooks TD.BENCHED: Ingram was benched after his fumble on this third carry of the game. It was his second fumble in two weeks while trying to fight for extra yards after contact. A week earlier, Ingrams fumble inside the Kansas City 10 contributed to a six-point loss.Sometimes those things happen and I know hes going to bounce back, Brees said of Ingram. Ive got so much trust, great confidence in him as does this whole offense, so I wouldnt look into that any further.GRAHAMS RETURN: Jimmy Graham was silent about his return to the place where his NFL career started, avoiding media all week. He had a relatively quiet game as well, finishing with three catches for 34 yards. Graham did speak to media after the game, walking from the locker room to the stadium exit wearing headphones and ignoring several reporters questions.BREES AT HOME: Brees now has a TD pass in 58 consecutive home games, extending his NFL-record streak.UP NEXT: Seattle hosts Buffalo in the Week 9 Monday night game, while the Saints travel to meet San Francisco next Sunday.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/AP-NFLVapormax Flyknit 3 Cheap . -- On the field, it was business as usual for Jameis Winston and No. Vapormax Plus Discount . The Hall of Fame defenceman told Landsberg that he believes fighting still has a place in todays game, but thinks staged fighting needs be outlawed. http://www.vapormaxcheapoutlet.com/clearance-vapormax-2019/vapormax-2019-white.html .ca. Kerry, Just watched the shootout in the Coyotes/Leafs game and I have to ask, why was the James van Riemsdyk goal allowed to count? All of the video replays we were shown on TV were inconclusive about whether the puck had entirely crossed the line or not. Vapormax 97 Black Reflect .Y. - General manager Billy King says the Brooklyn Nets are looking to add a big man and confirmed the team worked out centre Jason Collins, who would become the first openly gay active NBA player if signed. Vapormax Plus Red Shark Tooth .Y. -- Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone has drawn on his Syracuse connections once again by hiring Rob Moore to take over as receivers coach. LONDON --?Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay was adamant Saturday that quarterback Andrew Luck does not have any major problems with his right shoulder.I can tell you Andrews shoulder is not a serious issue, Irsay said at a fan event in London leading up to Sundays game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. It is just something along the way that were monitoring and making sure we practice him and do the right sort of things just until it starts feeling completely 100 percent every day. But its not something that concerns us at all. He can throw it 70 yards. Hes ready to play, and I see him having a great year.Irsay did say that Luck?has to do a better job of protecting himself to ensure he doesnt do anything to hurt himself or the franchise.He has to change the way he plays, only because its just natural that he is not a 22-year-old kid at Stanford who could play tight end or quarterback, Irsay said. He has to understand -- and he learned from the Denver game -- the importance of staying on the field. I think honing his game is the key.Irsay hinted that Luck aggravated his shoulder while trying to tackle Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib after throwing an interception that was returned for a touchdown in a Colts loss.Look, [Luck] throws the interception, hes mad, I know, Irsay said. Do what Peyton [Manning] did. Do a little fox trot and you dont embarrass yourself. But you stay out of the fray. You dont see Aaron Rodgers [do it]. You dont see quarterbacks get involved in those types of frays. Thats whenn tough things happen.ddddddddddddLuck has also been affected by the Colts attempts to solidify their offensive line. In three games, Luck has been sacked nine times and taken 25 additional hits.The Colts have been delicate all season in how they have handled their $140 million quarterback. It started in the preseason when Luck didnt play in the opener against the Buffalo Bills. He was taken out earlier than expected in the third preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles.Indianapolis has listed Luck on the injury report as did not practice or as a limited participant because of his right shoulder seven times since the start of the season. He missed two games last season with a shoulder injury.Irsay said the team didnt always list Manning on the injury report but had a similar approach with him during his 13 years with the franchise.Theres nothing surgically, trust me, Irsay said about Luck. As the owner who just committed that type of contract, Im telling you that shoulder is not something to be overly concerned about. He is fine. He will play until hes 38, 39 years old. Hes going to be with us for a long, long time. I do not see him missing any games this year, and it is not a big problem whatsoever.Luck has thrown for 913 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions this season for the Colts (1-2).Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report. ' ' '