PRO FOOTBALL : Defense Does Its Part in Saints’ First Victory, 9-7 : NFC: Three first-half field goals by Andersen is enough for a victory over the Buccaneers.

Jim Everett, playing only a half, and his backup, Wade Wilson, were unable to produce any touchdowns for the New Orleans Saints.

But Morten Andersen kicked three first-half field goals and the Saints’ defense came back to life in a 9-7 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The victory enabled the Saints (1-2) to avoid their worst start in 14 years, while denying Tampa Bay (1-2), which missed a 54-yard field goal as time expired, its most promising start under Coach Sam Wyche.

“I challenged the team to play well this week,” said New Orleans linebacker Sam Mills. “I just spoke about what was on my mind. I thought that we had to answer the bell.”

Andersen kicked field goals of 43 and 31 yards in the first quarter and Jim Everett threw for 31 yards to Wesley Walls to set up another 43-yard kick before the half for a 9-7 lead.

The Saint defense gave up about 400 yards per game in losses to Kansas City and Washington, but only allowed only 232 on Sunday. The unit held up in the intense 87-degree heat despite being on the field for most of the fourth quarter.

The Buccaneers had the ball for more than 10 minutes of the last quarter, but weren’t able to do much until quarterback Craig Erickson’s 28-yard completion to Willie Green on fourth and 27 in the final minute.

An 11-yard pass interference penalty against Tyrone Legette at the Saints’ 36 gave Tampa Bay its last hope with one second remaining. The 54-yard field goal attempt was within Michael Husted’s range, but sailed wide right.

“I think this is going to give our defense a good deal of confidence for next week,” Saint Coach Jim Mora said, looking ahead to a game at San Francisco. “I felt a good spirit in the locker room after the game.”

Everett completed 10 of 19 passes for 108 yards for New Orleans before taking himself out of the game at halftime because of a sore groin. Wilson was nine of 12 for 68 yards in the second half.