Saints hand Falcons 1st loss of the season

The New Orleans Saints picked a perfect time for their most complete game of the season, playing well in all phases in a muchneeded 3121 victory here over an NFC South rival, the Atlanta Hawks, who suffered their first loss.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees completed 30 of 39 pass attempts for 312 yards, and wide receiver Benjamin Watson caught 10 passes for 127 yards on Thursday night at the Superdome.

Special teams player Michael Mauti blocked a punt attempt by Matt Bosher, recovered the ball and scored in the first quarter, a play that, along with the extra point, gave the Saints a 140 lead.

Running back Mark Ingram, for his part, rushed for two touchdowns a twoyard score early in the first quarter and a oneyarder in the fourth quarter that gave the Saints a 3114 lead and effectively sealed the victory.

New Orleans’ defense, meanwhile, also made a big contribution by recovering three fumbles, two of them within 20 yards of the home team’s end zone.

Hawks quarterback Matt Ryan had a solid game in a losing effort, completing 30 of 44 attempts for 295 yards, passing for two touchdowns and not throwing any interceptions.

Running back Devonta Freeman, meanwhile, rushed for 100 yards on 13 carries, including a 25yard touchdown run.

The Falcons cut the lead from 14 to seven on a sevenyard Ryan touchdown pass to Roddy White in the first quarter and later reduced a 17point Saints advantage down to 10 early in the fourth quarter on Freeman’s touchdown, but New Orleans responded each time to widen the gap.

The Saints improved to 24 yet are still in last place in the NFC South, while the Hawks fell to 51 and are in second place behind the undefeated Carolina Panthers.