The Sports Network
Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - The Atlanta Falcons made a statement Thursday
night, picking off New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees a career-high five times
and ending his remarkable consecutive games streak with a touchdown pass in a
23-13 victory over the Saints at the Georgia Dome. Matt Ryan completed 18-
of-33 passes for 165 yards with a touchdown for the Falcons (11-1), who
avenged their lone defeat of the season and snapped a four-game losing
streak to the Saints. Atlanta can clinch the NFC South division title with a
Tampa Bay loss or tie at Denver on Sunday. A loss or tie by Seattle at Chicago
on Sunday will secure a playoff spot for the Falcons. New Orleans (5-7),
meanwhile, saw its playoff hopes become even slimmer with its second straight
loss. Brees, who had 341 passing yards, failed to throw a touchdown pass
for the first time since Week 4 of the 2009 campaign, snapping a his NFL-
record streak at 54 games.
The Sports Network