The New Orleans Saints shrugged off all talk of being ripe for an upset from a long layoff by slamming the Arizona Cardinals 45-14 Saturday in an NFC divisional playoff game.

In a throwback nod to his Heisman winning days at USC, Reggie Bush danced his way around Cardinals defenders who fell over each other trying to tackle him to a tune of 217 all-purpose yards including a 46 yard touchdown run and an 83 yard punt return for a touchdown. Bush became only the 2nd player ever in postseason history to have rushing and punt return touchdowns in the same game.

The Cardinals started the game off with a bang when Tim Hightower reeled off a 70 yard touchdown run on the first play of the game for the Arizona offense. However, the Saints answered back with 3 unanswered touchdowns to take a 21-7 lead in the 1st quarter and never looked back. Drew Brees threw for 247 yards and 3 touchdowns; including a 44 yarder to Devery Henderson to lead the Saints offense.

The New Orleans Saints will host the winner of Sunday’s other NFC divisional playoff game between the Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings in next week’s NFC Championship Game for the right to go to Super Bowl XLIV.

In other playoff action, the Indianapolis Colts took care of the Baltimore Ravens 20-3 and will host the winner of Sunday’s Chargers-Jets game in the AFC Championship Game.

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