NEW ORLEANS (AP) – Drew Brees threw four touchdown passes to inexperienced receivers and the New Orleans Saints won their 10th consecutive game on Thursday with a 31-17 victory over Atlanta, eliminating the Falcons from the fight in the NFC South.

Tommylee Lewis and Austin Carr each captured their second career touchdown, and rookie tight end, Dan Arnold, scored his own, as did rookie receiver Keith Kirkwood. All four entered the NFL as free agents in the last three years and had not made any touchdown this season before Carr reached the start of his career last Sunday.

"It says a lot about them – it says a lot about taking advantage of the opportunity and stepping up when we need it," Brees said of his latest goals in the area. of touched. "It's fun to watch them grow and build self-confidence, we're building chemistry, which usually takes time, is not it?" But they were brought to play that role. "

Meanwhile, the Falcons (4-7) have lost three fumbles within the Saints 20 – something that no team facing New Orleans (10-1) can afford this season.

"The defense has played terribly today against a very explosive offense," Brees said. "They had four turnovers – it's a huge statistic in the game."

Atlanta quarterback, Matt Ryan, was sidelined by safety Marcus Williams on a third and second of the Saints 3 and Williams recovered to end the first race of the day. ; Atlanta. Julio Jones was stripped by linebacker Alex Anzalone after a take on the New Orleans 17 and Vonn Bell's safety came back at the last minute of the second quarter to retain a 17-3 lead at halftime.

"Whenever you have a business figure and you are in a threatening position, do the numbers, do the math," said Saints coach Sean Payton.

The New Orleans defense, which had six sacks of the season, continued to play big games in the second half. Anzalone broke a fourth pass in the third quarter and linebacker A.J. Klein intercepted a pass led by defender Tyeler Davison in the fourth quarter.

The interception allowed the Saints to take possession of the Atlanta 22 and establish the 4-meter TD capture of Kirkwood.

For good measure, Marshon Lattimore eliminated Calvin Ridley on the Saints 1 after a 29-yard pass that looked like a touchdown in the next four minutes. Defensive back Eli Apple has recovered that one.

"When you have a turnover (in the red zone), you feel a lot," said Falcons coach Dan Quinn. "We had three there and that was the real story of the game."

Ryan was under pressure all night on the Saints defense backed by the return of Marcus Davenport, first choice of his first round, after a toe injury that left him out of three games. Cameron Jordan had two sacks, while Williams, P.J. Williams, Sheldon Rankins and Demario Davis each had one.

Ryan finished 35 of 47 goals for 377 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. But very little has come easy. His first TD pass, to Calvin Ridley, scored a goal and a goal against 2 at the end of the third quarter.

Atlanta ran for just 26 yards, while New Orleans finished with 150, led by 89 Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram's 52.

Statistically, Brees had none of his most impressive games, completing 15 of 22 passes for 171 yards with his second interception of the season. The choice was made by Damontae Kazee, his sixth-best NFL player this year.

But Brees' ability to exploit the strengths of unannounced receivers has allowed the Saints to take advantage of scoring opportunities.

Lewis, a third-year professional, was in his first game after spending nine weeks on the injured reserve. He had not managed a pass all season before opening up completely for his 28-yard play that raised the score to 7-0 in the first series of the game. Carr is a sophomore who does not Played only a match without a beginner. He too was wide open after the Falcons' supporters lied during a false transfer to Ingram. Kirkwood made his NFL debut three games ago, when Arnold had his first career reception.

"Obviously, Drew is some very confident in the preparation and players around him.There are a lot of things in that," said Payton. "I'm excited for those guys who have had opportunities."

INJURY

Falcons linebacker Kemal Ishmael was pulled off the pitch in the third quarter after a punt.

FOLLOWING

The Falcons host Baltimore on December 2nd.

The saints visit Dallas on Thursday night.

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