SAINTS INCH OUT ANOTHER VICTORY, WIN 16TH STRAIGHT GAME
COLTS & SAINTS BOTH 13-0 ON THE YEAR

Drew Brees threw for 296 yards and 3 touchdowns, Jonathan Vilma came up with two big defensive plays, and the Saints stayed unbeaten by pulling out another tight win, 26-23 over the Falcons in Atlanta. A week ago, New Orleans (13-0) appeared on the brink of its first loss until Washington missed a chip-shot field-goal attempt. The Saints rallied for a 33-30 overtime win. This time, they struggled to hold off Atlanta (6-7), which was missing the injured stars Matt Ryan and Michael Turner. The result was in doubt until Vilma, who had stopped an earlier drive with an interception, made a crushing fourth-down hit on Jason Snelling, stopping him a yard short of a first down with a little more than a minute remaining. The Saints’ last two games have been their closest in a season dominated by double-digit wins. A cause for concern? “Why would we be concerned?” Vilma said. “We’re 13-0.” Meanwhile, Peyton Manning threw three early touchdown passes, then three inexplicable interceptions, but led the Colts on a late drive to beat the visiting Broncos, 28-16. The Colts broke records for most consecutive regular-season wins (22) and most wins in a decade (114), and also wrapped up home-field advantage throughout the American Football Conference playoffs. (NY Times)