Updated Sept. 10, 2010 @ 12:53 a.m. ET

By Brett Martel, AP Sports Writer

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Drew Brees and the Saints extended New Orleans' post-Super Bowl euphoria for at least another week and handed Brett Favre a second straight loss in the Louisiana Superdome.

Brees completed 27 of 36 passes for 237 yards and one touchdown, and the Saints survived a hard-fought season opener for a 14-9 victory Thursday night.

It wasn't the most spectacular way to open a title defense, considering it was a rematch of the riveting 2009 NFC title game last January, which the Saints won in overtime to advance to their first Super Bowl.

``We're not used to 14-9 victories, but we're used to winning,'' said Brees, the reigning Super Bowl MVP. ``So we like the W.''

But it was the lowest-scoring victory of the Sean Payton era, which began in 2006. Still, the Saints will take it, especially since their defense limited Favre to 171 yards passing and one score.

``I know people are going to say it wasn't the fireworks they expected it to be,'' Favre said.

Although his offense was far less potent than usual, Payton said he ``was proud of the way we came through and made enough plays to start the season 1-0.''

Unlike the NFC championship game, the Vikings didn't fumble and turned the ball over only once on Jonathan Vilma's interception of Favre, who made an ill-advised throw as Roman Harper hit him on a safety blitz.

Also unlike their previous meeting, the Saints had most of the statistical advantages, outgaining Minnesota 308 yards to 253 and controlling the ball for 33:43, compared to 26:17 for Minnesota.

``We knew we would have to play better in a lot of areas than we did last year (against the Vikings) and I felt like we did,'' Brees said. ``We just showed that we can win in a lot of different ways.''