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Falcons Beat Up Brees, Saints

The Associated Press

Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) escapes the pressure of Atlanta Falcons defender Chauncey Davis, left, at the Georgia Dome.

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The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 10, 2008

ATLANTA - When John Abraham wasn't bearing down on him, Drew Brees had to contend with all those pesky Atlanta defensive backs, constantly getting in the way of his throws.

It was a miserable afternoon for the NFL's most prolific passer.

While Atlanta rookie Matt Ryan turned in another solid performance, Brees threw a season-high three interceptions, the last of them returned 95 yards for a touchdown by Chevis Jackson, and the Falcons beat up on the New Orleans Saints 34-20 on Sunday.

Ryan had two more touchdown passes for the Falcons (6-3), who won for the fourth time in five games to remain in the thick of the playoff race, having defied those who expected a rebuilding year or two after the Michael Vick debacle.

"We have to stop using the word 'surprise,'" safety Lawyer Milloy said. "We always felt like we had a chance."

Ryan connected with Roddy White for a 16-yard touchdown on the Falcons' second possession, then broke it open with a short pass to Jerious Norwood that the speedy running back took for a 67-yard touchdown in the opening minute of the fourth quarter for a 27-6 lead.

Jackson finished off New Orleans with the second-longest interception return for a touchdown in Falcons' history. He broke perfectly on a pass for Devery Henderson at the 5 and took off down the sideline with no one else around, high-stepping right in front of the New Orleans bench.

Atl-White 16 pass from Ryan (Elam kick), 9:07.

NO-FG Hartley 24, 2:15.

Second Quarter

Atl-Turner 2 run (Elam kick), 12:04.

NO-FG Hartley 44, 8:33.

Atl-FG Elam 22, 3:05.

Third Quarter

Atl-FG Elam 27, 2:06.

Fourth Quarter

Atl-Norwood 67 pass from Ryan (Elam kick), 14:40.

NO-McAllister 15 pass from Brees (Hartley kick), 9:54.

Atl-C.Jackson 95 interception return (Elam kick), 1:17.

NO-Moore 32 pass from Brees (Hartley kick), :00.

A-64,826.

RUSHING-New Orleans, Henderson 1-30, P.Thomas 6-26, Stecker 3-21, McAllister 5-18, Brees 2-10. Atlanta, Turner 27-96, Norwood 6-17, White 1-2, Ryan 2-(minus 2).

PASSING-New Orleans, Brees 31-58-3-422. Atlanta, Ryan 16-23-0-248.

RECEIVING-New Orleans, Colston 7-140, Moore 6-76, Miller 5-65, P.Thomas 5-34, Patten 2-35, Henderson 2-33, McAllister 2-23, Shockey 2-16. Atlanta, Jenkins 6-72, White 5-68, Norwood 2-88, Peelle 1-14, Finneran 1-6, Turner 1-0.

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