Atlanta- The New Orleans Saints kept their playoff hopes alive for now as they defeated the hapless Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football, 31-14. 

While the game had very little riding on it but for the outside chance of a playoff slot for the Saints, the night was really about Michael Vick and Reggie Bush, the two stars of the Falcons and the Saints, respectively.

Earlier Monday, Vick had learned about his sentencing to jail.  Reggie Bush also received bad news, a tear of a knee ligament.

Still, the Saints are 6-7 and will face Arizona who is 6-7 next week and will likewise be hoping for a playoff slot.  That game will be in the Superdome and so far this year, the Saints have played better on the road than at home, in the Dome.  In fact, the Saints are only 2-4 on their home field while are 4-3 on the road, so the Dome with all of its madness and noise has not been much of an advantage for the home team.

The victory was the second of the season for the Saints against the Falcons.  Earlier this year, the Saints beat the Falcons 22-16 in the Dome.

On offense the Saints tallied over 400 yards of total offense, without Deuce McAlister and Reggie Bush, both injured.  QB Drew Brees completed 28-of-41 passes for 328 yards and three touchdowns.  RB Aaron Stecker, who had 100-yards on 20 carries.

New Orleans led Atlanta 17-7 and scored 14 points to 7 for the Falcons in the second half.

With the loss, the Falcons are now 3-9 for the year.