New Orleans Saints kicker Garrett Hartley (5) kicks a field goal in the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2013.NEW ORLEANS – Sean Payton enjoyed a triumphant return from his bounty ban, with help from Drew Brees and a defense overhauled by the coordinator he hired shortly after his reinstatement.
Brees passed for 357 yards and two scores and the New Orleans Saints held on for a 23-17 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.
Roman Harper intercepted a tipped fourth down pass in the end zone with under a minute left, allowing the Saints to run out the clock.
Brees connected with Marques Colston for a 25-yard touchdown pass during which the receiver also set a franchise mark for catches with 533. Brees also hit tight end Jimmy Graham for a 7-yard score in the third quarter.
Matt Ryan passed for 304 yards and touchdown passes to Tony Gonzalez and Julio Jones. In the final three minutes, Ryan quickly drove Atlanta to the Saints 3 before the Saints defense stiffened.