NFL-Saints claim wildcard playoff spot with big victory

Dec 29 (Reuters) - The New Orleans Saints have clinched a berth in the NFL playoffs with an emphatic 42-17 home victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. Drew Brees passed for four touchdowns and ran for another as the Saints (11-5) secured an NFC wild card berth. The Carolina Panthers defeated the Atlanta Falcons earlier in the day to claim the NFC South title. The Saints, who won the Super Bowl in 2010, missed the playoffs last season with a 7-9 record. (Reporting by Andrew Both in Cary, North Carolina, editing by Gene Cherry)