Saints Clinch Playoff Spot

ATLANTA (AP) — The defending Super Bowl champions are back in the playoffs.

Drew Brees threw a 6-yard TD pass to Jimmy Graham with 3:24 left to give New Orleans a 17-14 victory in Atlanta. The loss prevented the Falcons from clinching the NFC South and the top seed in the NFC playoffs.

Now, the Saints still have a chance to win the division, with a little help Sunday.

Brees shook off two fourth-quarter interceptions -- one of them returned for a go-ahead touchdown -- to lead a 13-play, 90-yard drive for the game-winning score. He completed 35 of his 49 pass attempts for 302 yards.

The Falcons' first home loss of the season snaps an eight-game winning streak and drops them to 12-3. The Saints sit at 11-5.

If New Orleans beats visiting Tampa and Carolina somehow upsets the Falcons in Atlanta, the Saints would be NFC South champions with the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye in the playoffs. The Falcons clinch the top seed with a win over the league-worst Panthers.