Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - The Atlanta Falcons made a statement Thursday night, picking off New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees a career-high five times and ending his remarkable consecutive games streak with a touchdown pass in a 23-13 victory over the Saints at the Georgia Dome. Matt Ryan completed 18- of-33 passes for 165 yards with a touchdown for the Falcons (11-1), who avenged their lone defeat of the season and snapped a four-game losing streak to the Saints. Atlanta can clinch the NFC South division title with a Tampa Bay loss or tie at Denver on Sunday. A loss or tie by Seattle at Chicago on Sunday will secure a playoff spot for the Falcons. New Orleans (5-7), meanwhile, saw its playoff hopes become even slimmer with its second straight loss. Brees, who had 341 passing yards, failed to throw a touchdown pass for the first time since Week 4 of the 2009 campaign, snapping a his NFL- record streak at 54 games.
