Down 10-0 early in the game, the Saints have ended the Falcon's undefeated streak with a 31-27 victory at the Superdome.
Drew Brees completed 21 of 32 attempts for 298 yards and three touchdowns, two to Jimmy Graham. Chris Ivory carried the ball 7 times for 72 yards, picking up 56 of those yards with a touchdown run in the first quarter.
Matt Ryan finished 34 of 52 for 411 yards and three touchdowns.
The New Orleans defense stepped up and stopped the Falcons on their final two drives. Cornerback Jabari Greer made a diving, touchdown-saving pass breakup on a late fourth-down play just outside the end zone.
The 4-5 Saints have won 4 of their last 5 games and kept alive their hopes of getting into the playoffs. Atlanta, now 8-1 on the season, has lost 11 of its last 13 games with the Saints.
In a post-game interview with Fox Sports, Brees termed it "a great win for our team, our city and our fans. We got to keep it going now."
Brees said his teammates felt confident they could beat the undefeated Falcons.
"We knew were going to do this today and it was just a matter of us coming out and executing and that's what we did."
Graham had 7 receptions for a career-best 146 yards and the two scores. Lance Moore caught 7 passes for 91 yards.
The Saints face the Raiders at 3:05pm CT in Oakland on Sunday.
Photo Copyright Getty Images
