Patriots No Match for Saints : Interconference: Hebert throws three touchdown passes and New England held to 122 yards in 31-14 setback.

While the New Orleans Saints keep getting better, the New England Patriots can’t get much worse.

Bobby Hebert threw three touchdown passes and the Saints gave up only 122 yards in a 31-14 victory over the winless New England Patriots on Sunday. It was New Orleans’ fifth consecutive victory.

“I don’t know how we’re progressing, but we’ve learned that we have to be better at the end of the season and be peaking through the playoffs,” Hebert said.

The Saints (7-2) gave up only six first downs and recorded five sacks while edging ahead of San Francisco in the NFC West. The 49ers (6-2) play at Atlanta tonight.

New Orleans yielded at least 278 yards per game during a 2-2 start, but has given up fewer than 200 yards in four games during its winning streak.

“We’re experienced,” Saints’ Coach Jim Mora said in explaining his team’s defensive progress. “We can put in new wrinkles, maybe something complex, and the entire unit will pick it right up.”

The Saints had two interceptions and two fumble recoveries and sacked quarterback Tommy Hodson of New England (0-9) five times after starting the day tied for second in the NFL with 28 sacks.

Hodson played most of the game despite breaking his right thumb in the first quarter. His thumb was placed in a cast for at least four weeks, and he may miss the rest of the season.

“We did the things that you can’t do against a team like the Saints,” said Dante Scarnecchia, who was filling in for Patriot Coach Dick MacPherson, hospitalized earlier in the week with an intestinal disorder. “We knew we couldn’t have the turnovers. We knew we couldn’t have penalties in the kicking game.

“It’s very apparent that they’re a superb defensive team. Their pass rush is excellent.”

New Orleans took a 14-0 lead in the first quarter when Hebert threw two touchdown passes to Quinn Early on plays that covered nine and 39 yards.

After Leonard Russell’s eight-yard touchdown run gave New England its first rushing touchdown of the season, Hebert made it 21-7 in the second quarter with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Dalton Hilliard.