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THE BOTTOM LINE
OFFENSE Two fleur de lis
Drew Brees was his usual exceptional self, throwing for 308 yards and two scores, and he shouldn't be knocked for his one interception, which was a great play by Atlanta defender Brent Grimes. Marques Colston and Jeremy Shockey turned in Pro Bowl -- or should we say All-Star -- performances as they grabbed several jump balls. And Sean Payton's three-headed monster at running back combined for three touchdowns and 143 rushing yards, but they have to work on ball security. Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell both fumbled late.
DEFENSE Three fleur de lis
This unit should be knocked for giving up 151 rushing yards to Michael Turner and a 68-yard touchdown bomb to Roddy White, but it's hard to criticize a group that keeps making play after play. Cornerback Jabari Greer's interception return for a touchdown was the fifth of the season and cornerback Tracy Porter and Darren Sharper made important interceptions in the final period. Defensive end Will Smith should get a game ball for his two sacks and providing constant pressure on Matt Ryan.
SPECIAL TEAMS One fleur de lis
This unit struggled again. Not fielding the Falcons' onside kick gave Atlanta a final chance to force overtime. John Carney's missed 38-yard field-goal attempt helped keep Atlanta in the game. A holding call wiped out a decent punt return by Reggie Bush, and there also was a holding penalty on an extra-point attempt. Courtney Roby had a couple of solid kickoff returns in the second half.
COACHING Three fleur de lis
Sean Payton deserves credit for having his team ready to play after last week's emotional comeback win at Miami. After the Falcons marched down the field for a touchdown on the first possession, the Saints answered right back with a score. And with the Falcons sacking Drew Brees twice in the first quarter (one leading to a fumble and Atlanta touchdown), the Saints adjusted and did an excellent job of protecting Brees. Payton made a good challenge call that took a fourth-quarter touchdown by White off the scoreboard.
-- Doug Tatum, staff writer
