PRO FOOTBALL : Familiar Formula Works for Saints : Interconference: New Orleans beats Houston, 33-21, with good defense and Morten Andersen.

The New Orleans Saints got a new quarterback, new offensive linemen and new backs this summer.

But the Saints beat the Houston Oilers, 33-21, Sunday night using the same thing that has given them the third best record in the NFL over the last six seasons--defense and the sure foot of Morten Andersen.

Andersen kicked field goals of 28, 37, 18 and 47 yards. It was the 10th time in his career that Andersen kicked four field goals in a game. His 24 consecutive field goals tied the NFL record held by Kevin Butler of the Chicago Bears.

The Saints sacked Oiler quarterback Warren Moon three times. Vince Buck sacked Moon in the fourth quarter, forcing a fumble and leaving Moon stunned on the Superdome turf until he was helped to the sidelines.

Saint linebacker Sam Mills also sacked Moon and forced a fumble in the fourth quarter. Frank Warren picked up the ball and ran 47 yards for a touchdown.

“Whenever we’d get a drive going, they would come up with the big play,” said Moon, who completed 21 of 32 passes for 241 yards and one touchdown.

Moon, who had one pass intercepted, drove the Oilers 80 yards in 11 plays on Houston’s first possession, ending the drive with a six-yard touchdown pass to Haywood Jeffires.

“They got us on that first series,” Mills said. “But the defense realized there were things there for the taking and we took them.”

Wade Wilson completed 16 of 25 passes for 206 yards for the Saints.

“If we play like we did in the third quarter and early in the fourth quarter the rest of the season, we’ll do really well,” said Saint cornerback Toi Cook, who had seven tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery.