New Orleans beat Detroit 40-7 on Oct. 10, improving to 6-0 with a performance that featured three touchdown passes from Zachary Himes and seven sacks by the Saints defense.

The Saints scored on their opening drive when Himes connected with David Ruggiero for a 10-yard touchdown with 8:08 remaining in the first quarter. Thomas Hernandez added a 35-yard field goal early in the second, then New Orleans turned a Detroit fumble into another score. Francisco Emrick recovered Joe Anders’ fumble and returned it 21 yards for a touchdown, extending the lead to 17-0.

Hernandez made a 41-yard field goal, and Himes later found Larry Rozier for a 22-yard touchdown. The conversion put New Orleans ahead 27-0. Detroit answered with a 1-yard touchdown run by Larry Roy, making it 27-7 before halftime.

Rozier added a 6-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter after Paul Gilbert intercepted Anders. The Saints led 34-7. In the fourth, Himes completed a 51-yard touchdown pass to Jimmie Dobbins for the final points.

Himes finished with 306 passing yards and three touchdowns, completing 27 of 41 passes. Joseph Hall led New Orleans with 104 rushing yards and added 89 receiving yards. Rozier had 55 rushing yards, a rushing touchdown, 26 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown. Ruggiero and Dobbins also caught touchdown passes.

New Orleans gained 159 yards on 37 carries and converted 10 of 17 third downs. Hernandez made both field-goal attempts. The Saints defense limited Detroit to 30 rushing yards and 156 passing yards, while recording seven sacks and an interception. Detroit converted 2 of 13 third downs.

The Saints, who entered the game 5-0 by the supplied season record, remain listed at 6-0 and atop their division. Detroit is listed at 3-3. New Orleans’ only interception came when Himes was picked off by Everett Hoffman in the second quarter; the Saints later secured the result with a 33-point margin.