Drew Brees shook off two fourth-quarter
interceptions, throwing a 6-yard touchdown pass to Jimmy Graham with 3:24 remaining that gave New Orleans a 17-14 victory over the Atlanta Falcons and clinched a return to the playoffs for the defending Super Bowl champions Monday night.
The Falcons (12-3) had a chance to wrap up their first division
crown since 2004 and home-field advantage in the playoffs.
But Brees and the Saints (11-4) are still in the mix, making up for a bitter loss to their NFC South rival in the Week 3.
Brees completed six straight passes on a 13-play, 90-yard drive,
the last of them to the rookie tight end for the winning score.
That made up for Chauncey Davis' 26-yard interception return that put the Falcons ahead early in the fourth quarter.
The Falcons other touchdown came on a Matt Ryan to Roddy White touchdown pass in the second quarter that cut the Saints lead to 10-7.
The Falcons can still wrap up the NFC South and home-field advantage for the NFC playoffs with a win Sunday at home against Carolina.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)