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Saints Rout Falcons, Stay In Playoff Hunt

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By PAUL NEWBERRY, The Associated Press

Published: December 11, 2007

ATLANTA - The Falcons awoke to news of their disgraced quarterback being sentenced to nearly two years in prison for dogfighting.

The day never got any better.

With Reggie Bush watching from the sideline, Drew Brees passed for 328 yards and three touchdowns as the New Orleans Saints bounced back from a devastating loss with a 34-14 rout of Atlanta on Monday night.

The Saints' victory prevented the Bucs from clinching the NFC South title. Tampa Bay can win the division with a victory Sunday against the Falcons at Raymond James Stadium, or if the Saints lose to Arizona at the Superdome.

The Falcons (3-10) showed just how much they miss Michael Vick, who was sentenced to 23 months in federal prison about 10 hours before his ex-teammates kicked off another game in a lost season.

Even though Bush wasn't able to play because of a partially torn knee ligament, the Saints (6-7) had no trouble getting past Atlanta.

Brees shredded the Falcons' defense for four scoring drives that covered at least 75 yards, including a 99-yarder that used up nearly the entire field. He opened with a 25-yard touchdown pass to David Patten and hooked up with Marquis Colston on a pair of shorter TD throws.

Cornerback DeAngelo Hall, who also played with Vick at Virginia Tech, ran onto the field holding up a poster of Vick and played the game with "MV7" written on the shade under both eyes.

Late in the first quarter, receiver Roddy White pulled up his jersey after hauling in a 33-yard touchdown pass from Chris Redman, revealing a black shirt with the words "Free Mike Vick" in white letters.

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