Saints coach shows up ex-boss Parcells

Bill Parcells used to teasingly refer to Sean Payton as “Dennis the Menace.” There’s no telling what Parcells might call his former assistant now.

Payton outsmarted his old boss early, then had some fun at his expense with an onside kick later, once the New Orleans Saints were well on their way to a 42-17 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night.

Having spent the last three years on Parcells’ staff, Payton knew exactly how to attack the Cowboys -- and Drew Brees pulled it off perfectly, tying his career high with five touchdown passes, all before the third quarter ended. New Orleans finally showed mercy in the fourth period, even taking a knee from inside the five-yard line well before the two-minute warning.

Brees finished 26 of 38 for 384 yards, all without throwing a pass in the fourth quarter.

The Saints (9-4) grabbed sole possession of the second-best record in the NFC, putting them in position for a luxury the franchise has never enjoyed: a first-round playoff bye.

Parcells absorbed most of this one with his lips pinched and his arms crossed.

“That was a pretty good licking,” Parcells said. “I can’t think of anything we did very well.”

The loss was especially painful for Parcells because the Cowboys (8-5) had won their last four games and five of six, playing so well that Monday he spoke to them about what it takes to win a championship. Plus, with Seattle losing earlier in the afternoon, Dallas went out knowing the No. 2 seeding was there for the taking.

A four-play stand by the defense, then a 77-yard touchdown run by Julius Jones on the Cowboys’ second snap proved to be a tease. Neither unit looked that good again until it was a rout.

A defense that hadn’t given up more than 22 points in any of the last six games gave up 21 points in the second quarter, then another 21 in the third.

Romo, who credits Payton with polishing his game, finished 16 of 33 for 249 yards, with a touchdown and two interceptions. The touchdown was a 34-yarder to Terrell Owens that bounced through a defender’s hands and into Owens’ tummy.

Brees, meanwhile, picked up where he left off in his last game at Texas Stadium, a championship victory for his Austin high school in 1996.

One of his touchdown passes went to former USC standout Reggie Bush on a dazzling 61-yard catch and run.