It was over when ...
Rookie Chevis Jackson picked off an errant Drew Brees pass and returned it 95 yards for a touchdown with a minute and a half left to put Atlanta up 34-13.
Game ball
Falcons rookie QB Matt Ryan was sharper than Brees for much of the game, and his decision-making was pristine. He kept the Saints off-balance by spreading his 16 completions around to seven different receivers.
Key stat
Despite finishing with 521 yards of offense, the Saints scored just 20 points, including a touchdown off a meaningless desperation pass to Lance Moore as time expired.
Noteworthy
Saints CB Mike McKenzie was carted off the field with a broken right knee cap in the third quarter. He will miss the rest of the season. ... New Orleans RB Deuce McAllister had his first receiving touchdown since 2002. ... Atlanta's John Abraham took the NFC sack lead with his 11th of the year. ... Falcons RB Jerious Norwood had a career-long 67-yard TD catch.