Brees doesn’t let Atlanta have OT shot

ATL A NTA » Drew Brees’ 1yard run capped an 80yard touchdown drive to open overtime that lifted the New Orleans Saints to a 4337 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

Brees’ score came after his apparent 3yard TD pass to Alvin Kamara was overturned on a review that determined Kamara’s knee was down before the goal line. Brees scored on a keeper on the following play, giving the Saints (21) the win on the day the 39yearold quarterback set the NFL record for career completions.

“This was a wild one,” said Brees, who passed for 396 yards and three touchdowns and ran for two scores. Kamara had 15 catches for 124 yards and ran for 66 yards.

Brees’ biggest play before the winner might have been his improbable 7yard scoring run with 1:15 remaining that forced overtime. He ran to his left and then spun to avoid tackle attempts by Brian Poole and Robert Alford.

Atlanta’s Matt Ryan had his first career game with five scoring passes, including three to rookie Calvin Ridley. That wasn’t enough for the Falcons (12) against Brees and the highscoring Saints, who gained 534 yards.

Ryan passed for 374 yards, including 146 to Ridley, who became the first Falcons rookie with three scoring catches. Ridley, who had seven receptions, including a 75yard TD, had his first game with more than one touchdown reception in his first game with at least 100 yards receiving.

Ridley’s third scoring catch against the Saints was a 9yarder early in the third quarter that held up following a review.

Ryan’s five touchdown passes tied the team record set by Wade Wilson on Dec. 13, 1992, at Tampa Bay.