New Orleans Saints snatch lead back in NFC South thanks to Drew Brees... but it's another day to forget for Jay Cutler

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The New Orleans Saints climbed into first place in the jumbled NFC South after feasting on the hapless Chicago Bears in a 31-15 win.

Drew Brees fired three touchdown passes and the Saints moved top of the NFC South, despite their 6-8 record.

'We responded, our defense came out and played fantastic. Offensively, we did enough,' Brees told reporters. 'You want to be playing for a lot at the end of the year and we are. We control our destiny.'

Drew Brees passed the 4,000 yard passing mark for the ninth consecutive season

Marques Colston hauls in a Brees pass to give the Saints a commanding lead in Chicago

Jay Cutler was sacked seven times during another lamentable display from the Chicago offense

The division has faced middling results this season, yet New Orleans, Carolina (5-8-1) and Atlanta (5-9) remain in a tight race for the crown.

The Saints entered the night having lost four of their last five, but they opened the game with 24 straight points and were never threatened.

Brees finished with 375 yards passing while Josh Hill was on the receiving end of two of his scoring throws.

Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler was sacked seven times and threw three interceptions as the Bears (5-9) lost their third straight game to be out of playoff contention.

'Just trying to get better these next two weeks and give a good performance offensively,' said Cutler, who leads the NFL in turnovers. 'I have to take a look at the film and see what slowed us down.'

In the first three quarters, Chicago got across midfield for only two offensive plays on nine possessions, penetrating no deeper than the Saints' 46-yard line.

It was also another poor performance for the Chicago defense which has allowed the most points in the NFL.