NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Saints — the top offense in the league last year — had just enough in Thursday’s opener against the Minnesota Vikings to take a 14-9 lead after three quarters.Drew Brees, who drove the Saints 77 yards to open the game, started the third quarter with a 74-yard scoring drive to regain the lead.New Orleans shifted its attention to the running game, which gained only 9 yards in the first half, rushing for 31 yards on their opening drive of the second.Pierre Thomas rushed for 31 yards on the drive and capped it with a 1-yard run up the middle.Brett Favre’s 20-yard touchdown pass to Visanthe Shiancoe late in the second quarter had put the Vikings up 9-7 at halftime.Favre was 11 of 15 for 127 yards in the first half after going 2 of 4 for 22 yards in the first quarter. But the Saints broke up six passes during the first three quarters and Favre was sacked once and intercepted once.Favre drove the Vikings 64 yards on five plays for the go-ahead score. The extra point attempt was blocked.Ryan Longwell’s 41-yard field goal brought Minnesota within 7-3.The Saints had 223 yards total offense through three quarters, but only 41 yards rushing going into the fourth quarterDespite moving the team in the second quarter, New Orleans could not score again.