The New Orleans Saints tied a franchise record with their seventh straight win to start the season, defeating the Atlanta Falcons 35-27 Monday night to remain undefeated.

Pierre Thomas's second rushing touchdown of the night secured the win for the Saints as they kept they joined the Indianapolis Colts as the only two 7-0 teams left in this NFL season.

Brees bounced back, driving New Orleans 80 yards in 12 plays and capping it off with an 18-yard scoring toss to Marques Colston.

A spectacular interception by Brent Grimes ended the Saints next possession but Brees and company were not to be denied as they marched down the field in just over a minute, capping another 80-yard drive with Reggie Bush's one-yard run.

Matt Ryan tried to get it back just before the half but instead dug the hole a little deeper when he was picked by Jabari Greer who took it 48-yards the other way for a two score advantage at the break.

That lead didn't last long as Ryan cut it in half by hooking up with Roddy White for a 68-yard catch and run early in the third quarter. 

The Falcons looked like they tied the game up early in the fourth when Ryan got the ball to White in the back of the end zone but replay showed the ball hit the ground, overruling the call on the field and Atlanta had to settle for a 25-yard field goal instead.

Ryan was given another chance quickly when Thomas fumbled on the Saints own 34 yard line but a tipped pass was scooped up by Tracy Porter near the goal line to end that threat.

The Saints did not sit on their four-point lead, Brees hit Colston for 29-yards and Jeremy Shockey for another 17, then dinked to Colston for 7 and Devery Henderson for 6 more.  Thomas would take it the final yard to make it a two score lead.

Atlanta got three more chances thanks to a fumble and a successful onside kick, turning one of them into a 40-yard field goal, but their final try left them with a desperation toss from their own 37-yard line.  That play ended with Ryan's third pick and Darren Sharper's 61st career interception.

Brees finished 25 of 33 for 308 yards with Colston grabbing 6 for 85.  Thomas rushed for 91 yards on 14 carries.  Ryan completed 19 of 42 for 289 yards, White made 4 catches for 108 and Michael Turner gathered up a season-high 151 yards on 20 tries.

The Saints will try to protect their unblemished record next week at home when the host another NFC South opponent, the 3-4 Carolina Panthers who are coming off a big win against the Arizona Cardinals.

The Falcons, now three games back in the division, get the Washington Redskins next week at the Georgia Dome.