New Orleans, Louisiana (AP)--

Jimmy Williams first career interception was a huge one.

They came out wearing the heart of the Louisiana on their sleeve, they remembered the victims who lost their lives in a disaster that everyone prays will never happen again. It was clear from the start that this Monday Night game would be different to all the other contests that we’ve seen over the years. The Louisiana Superdome was sold out for the first time since Hurricane Katrina pounded the Louisiana area, it destroyed the environment and left a glaring hole in the Superdome’s roof. After thirteen months of rebuilding and restoring the strength back into the state, it finally looked as if the Bayou spirit had finally returned as the people of Louisiana cheered for their faithful Saints.
Throughout the evening, the football contest between the Saints and Atlanta Falcons took a back seat to the remembrance of the victims of Hurricane Katrina, but for Falcons fans it was a good looking win, as they put together another strong performance in front of the joyous Louisianans beating the Saints by a score of 29-21. Before kickoff, numerous rescuers and aid people were introduced in front of the fans. A one minute silence to remember those who lost their life in the disaster was followed by an emotional National Anthem. The Saints finally took the field, wearing throwback jersey’s, which printed the state of Louisiana on the sleeve of each jersey. The crowd cheered all night, grateful for being able to witness their team playing in their home state for the first time since December 2004.
When the game finally kicked off after the emotional pregame ceremonies, it was the Falcons who came out strong as Michael Vick marched his team down the field on their opening possession on what looked to be a potential scoring drive. However, faced with a third and one in New Orleans territory, Warrick Dunn broke through the hole picking up the first down easily only to cough up the football at the end of the run. New Orleans recovered the football and ended the drive while also keeping the home crowd advantage alive in the game.
During the first quarter it was clear what the Saints gameplan was going to be, as New Orleans looked to test the inconsistent rush defense of the Falcons by running it early and often with promising rookie RB Reggie Bush. But tonight would be a different story as the Falcons punished Bush all night giving up only 52 yards to the USC product on 19 attempts. Being unable to pick up first downs in the first quarter the Falcons controlled the possession of the football and finally were able to put up the first points of the game with a 46 yarder from Michael Koenen. Vick was the key player to the scoring drive, as he connected with a cast of receivers on third down plays to pick up first downs and give the Falcons the early lead

Alge Crumpler stiffs arms a Saint after the catch.

After attempting no passes in the first quarter, Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who has had a stunning start to the season, finally started to test the Falcons secondary which has been criticized for poor play all season long. Brees connected with FB Devery Henderson for a 66 yard touchdown pass to give the Saints a 7-3 lead. The score by Henderson was an emotional one considering the circumstances of the game and after he easily ran into the endzone for the touchdown, Henderson gave the football to a young fan on the sideline, who had been recognized before the game as one of the hero’s in rescue attempts after Hurricane Katrina struck. The Saints lead would not last for long as Vick hooked up with ol reliable TE Alge Crumpler, who stiff armed a trio of Saints defenders for a big pick up. Vick dialed up Crumpler number again, this time for a short three yard gain, but also a touchdown score.
The first half ended with a fury of offensive attacks. Firstly Brees continued to test the Falcon secondary, as he led his team on an impressive two minute drill drive before hooking up with WR Joe Horn to give the Saints the lead right back to them. Falcons rookie CB Jimmy Williams was the victim more than once on the Saints scoring drive, as his coverage job on Horn was appalling, as Brees found Horn open three times in the two minute drill. However, poor tackling by the New Orleans defense allowed Vick to get his team in field goal range seconds before the first half whistle blew. Koenen would hit a 43 yarder to make the score 14-13 in favor of the Saints at halftime.
Just like they did in the start of the first half, the Falcons began the second half with another promising drive, but this time instead of turning the ball over, the Falcons would put points on the board via a 32 yard pass from Vick to Ashley Lelie. Lelie, who was acquired two weeks before the Falcons season opener has started to find his place in the Falcons offense as the third option for Vick, who mainly exploits Lelie as the deep threat man. After failing to convert on the two point play the Falcons found themselves with their biggest lead of the night, 19-14.
The lead got even bigger for Atlanta as Warrick Dunn scored for the forth time this season on a short 8 yard run. The scoring drive for the Falcons was another weak performance by the defensive unit of the Saints, who were starting to look tired and frustrated defensively. Dunn had another great rushing game racking up close to 150 yards on the ground. His 399 yards this season makes him the third best rusher in the league and his 6.3 yards per carry is the best in league.
The troubles for Jimmy Williams carried into the second half, as Brees continued to pass to Horn successfully in the third quarter. Finally the big play, which everyone was anticipating arrived. A long 73 yard hook up to Horn on third down went all the way for the score, which saw Williams, one of the fastest player on the Falcons, trailing the streaking Horn. The score got the crowd and the Saint back into the game and heading into the final quarter of regulation the decision was still up in the air with the score 26-21.

Joe Horn hauls in the pass on his way to the endzone.

Coach Jim Mora made a change in the start of the forth quarter, which in the end seemed to decide the outcome of the contest. Mora decided to replace the struggling Williams with Jason Webster at cornerback who would cover Donte Stallworth. He then changed DeAngelo Hall’s assignment from Stallworth to Horn. The move would prove to be ingenious. With the Saints driving looking to retake to lead. Drew Brees was picked off for only the second time this season by who else but Jimmy Williams who was playing in his new role of nickelback. The interception was not only Williams first of his career but also the game changing play, as it killed to Saints drive, and gave the Falcons all the momentum, which would in the end propel them to victory.
After the Falcons fumbled the ball away for the second time, Brees was given a second chance to do amends to the interception. However, it was clear the mistake was still in his mind as Brees was picked again, this time by LB Ed Hartwell who used his quick reflexes to snatch the ball in mid air after it was deflected off the intended receiver. Hartwell was a standout for the Falcons defensively as he recorded 7 tackles and a sack to go along with his interception. With good field position after the interception, Koenen made his third field goal of the game giving the Falcons an 8 point lead with 1:13 to go. The game was still in reach for the Saints, but on their attempt at a game tying drive Brees was incomplete four straight times, turning the ball over, and giving the Falcons a 29-21 win in front of the Louisiana crowd who were still cheering for their beloved Saints despite the losing effort.
Once again Dunn was catalyst for the Falcons offense, but Vick turned out to have his best game this season with 246 yards passing, 2 touchdowns, and more importantly 0 interceptions. “I found a groove early and stayed in it throughout.” Said Vick who got help from Roddy White, Crumpler, and Lelie today who had stats of 5 for 84, 4 for 70, and 3 for 57 respectively. The Falcons ended their three game divisional schedule to start the season with a respective 2-1 record. The Falcons will face their first non-divisional opponent of the season as they host the up and coming Arizona Cardinals next week a team that mirrors the Falcons current record of 2 wins and 1 loss.

Game Boxscore.