Deion Jones’ interception gives Atlanta crucial win

ATLANTA — With the season potentially hanging in the balance, Deion Jones leaped high in the air, about as high as he could go. Snatching the ball before it could reach its intended target, the linebacker held it with both arms as he landed flat on his back in the end zone, the ball secured against his chest.

Jones’ leaping interception in the end zone with 1:25 remaining helped the Falcons hold off New Orleans for a crucial 20-17 victory Thursday night, setting up a three-way race for the NFC South title with three games remaining.

“It was all about the ball,” Jones said. “I just opened up my eyes, and all my brothers were right there, standing over me. It was great.”

Matt Ryan threw three interceptions before Matt Bryant’s 52-yard field goal with 3:49 to go gave Atlanta the lead. The Saints (9-4) were in position to pull out the victory, driving to the Atlanta 11 after Drew Brees converted on 4thand-1 with a quarterback sneak, as head coach Sean Payton passed on attempting a tying field goal.

On second down, Brees attempted to hit tight end Josh Hill in the back of the end zone. Jones had other ideas.

“When it takes a while to land, you know you’re up there,” Atlanta head coach Dan Quinn said of the leaping interception. “He definitely went up and reached for it.”

The Falcons (8-5) climbed one game back of the divisionleading Saints, as New Orleans squandered a chance to build a three-game lead on the defending conference champs. Atlanta gets another crack at New Orleans when the teams meet again in the next-to-last week of the regular season at the Superdome. The Panthers (8-4) also are right in the thick of things.

Ryan’s three picks came in a stretch of nine plays at the end of the first half and the beginning of the second. He finished 15-for-27 for 221 yards. Brees was 26-for-35 for 271 yards and two TDs.

Rookie running back Alvin Kamara took a shot to the helmet on the opening possession and left with a concussion. Mark Ingram was held to 49 yards on 12 carries as the Saints largely abandoned one of the league’s top rushing attacks.