Defensive futility puts Bengals in record book

52,492 booed loudly when it ended with Brees taking a knee three consecutive plays — technically, Cincinnati’s only defensive stop of the day.

“I haven’t seen anything like it,” linebacker Preston Brown said. “Every week we’re giving up too many yards.”

The Bengals knew they’d be in for some growing pains when they decided to field the youngest team in coach Marvin Lewis’ 16 seasons, with most of the inexperience on defense. They also brought in coordinator Teryl Austin, who changed some of their schemes.

It’s not working, and the Bengals seem to have run out of ideas for what to do next.

“Obviously, your confidence gets shaken,” Lewis said. “I just addressed that with them. They have to focus and get determined. It’s their job to do it right.”

In the last four games, the Bengals have given up 481, 551, 576 and 509 yards. They’re allowing an average of 454 yards Saints running back Alvin Kamara scoots past Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard for a touchdown in the second quarter.

per game, worst in the league.

They’re on pace to allow 7,272 yards, which would be an NFL record. The 2012 Saints are the only team to give up 7,000 in a season — 7,042.

Brees’ three touchdown passes moved him ahead of Brett Favre for second place on the career list.

Brees led the Saints to touchdowns on all five first-half possessions with a nearly perfect performance — only two incompletions. His 17-yard TD to Michael Thomas with 2 seconds left in the half gave him 509 career touchdown passes, one more than

Favre.

Up next: Peyton Manning’s record 539.

The Bengals matched the most lopsided defeat in franchise history and gave up the second-most points in club history. In the first half alone, the Saints piled up 311 yards and had 21 first downs on 40 plays. Brees was 18 of 20 for 214 yards with three touchdowns.

The Saints sent the Rams to their first loss last week, 45-35, and kept the momentum with their highestscoring game of the season. Mark Ingram had 13 carries for 104 yards and Alvin Kamara had 12 for 56. Brees finished 22 of 25 for 265 yards.

The Bengals’ Andy Dalton hit 12 of 20 passes for 153 yards and a touchdown. He threw two interceptions and was sacked four times.

Dalton’s 2-yard TD pass to John Ross with 1:52 left in the first quarter tied it 7-7.

Brees threw two TDs and Kamara had scoring runs of 1 and 4 yards in the second quarter to give the Saints a 35-7 halftime lead.