ATLANTA — Drew Brees was the NFL's most prolific passer. He was no match for the Falcons' defense.

While rookie Matt Ryan put in another solid day, Brees threw a season-high three interceptions, the last of them returned 95 yards for a touchdown by Chevis Jackson, and Atlanta beat up on the New Orleans Saints 34-20 today.

Ryan threw two touchdown passes for the Falcons (6-3), who won for the fourth time in five games to remain in the thick of the playoff race. The Saints (4-5) again failed to put together their first winning streak of the season.

Ryan connected with Roddy White for a 16-yard touchdown on the Falcons' second possession, then broke it open with a short pass to Jerious Norwood that the speedy running back took for a 67-yard touchdown in the opening minute of the fourth quarter for a 27-6 lead.

Jackson finished off New Orleans with the second-longest interception return for a touchdown in Falcons' history. He stepped in front of a pass at the 5 and took off down the sideline with no one else around, high-stepping right in front of the New Orleans bench.

Brees, who was leading the league in passes, completions and yards, didn't get the Saints to the end zone until the fourth quarter with the Falcons comfortably ahead. Of course, he spent much of the game trying to get away from the Atlanta rush.

John Abraham had another sack, his 11th of the season, and forced Brees to throw quicker than he wanted at least four other times. Keith Brooking also had a sack.

At one point, Brees rolled to his right looking to throw, but was forced to flee in the opposite direction. He wound up 25 yards behind the line of scrimmage before winding up near the Saints' sideline, where he just flung it out of bounds while falling backward.

With Reggie Bush still recovering from a knee injury and little help from the running game, Brees also was picked off by Chris Houston and Erik Coleman. Jackson and Domonique Foxworth each broke up three passes.

Brees did throw his second TD pass on the final play, a 32-yarder to Lance Moore. Not that it mattered. Playing from behind, he threw a staggering 58 passes — 10 more than he'd attempted in any game this season — and completed 31 for 422 yards.

Ryan had the better performance with a lot less wear and tear on his arm. He completed 16 of 23 passes for 248 yards and made no big mistakes. The rookie spread it around, hooking up with Michael Jenkins on six passes for 72 yards, while White had five receptions for 68 yards. Michael Turner took care of the running game, carrying 27 times for 96 yards.

But Norwood, Turner's backup, had the biggest play of all after Atlanta used up a good chunk of the third quarter on a drive that led to Jason Elam's second field goal.

Ryan faked a handoff, then swung a pass to Norwood in the flat. The blockers provided a hole and he did the rest, bursting down the sideline for the longest pass play of his career.

As if things weren't bad enough for the Saints, cornerback Mike McKenzie was taken off the field on a cart after injuring his right knee.