Saints vs. Falcons final score: New Orleans holds off Atlanta to clinch NFC South

The Saints erased the sting of its Week 10 defeat to the Falcons with a hard-earned 26-18 victory over Atlanta on Thanksgiving night to claim the NFC South title.

New Orleans (10-2) took its largest lead of the game after Wil Lutz's fourth field goalmade the score26-9. The Falcons (3-9) weren't done, though. Atlanta found its way into the end zone with a 13-yard touchdown pass from Matt Ryan to Russell Gage.The score gave the Falcons life after a flurry of empty possessions and turnovers.

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Following an unsuccessfultwo-point conversion, Atlanta recovered an onside kick and marched into New Orleans territory, setting up a 43-yard Younghoe Koo field goal to make it a one-possession game with just under two minutes remaining.

Even more drama ensued. Koo got a friendly hop on another onside kick and the Falcons recovered, igniting theMercedes-Benz Stadium crowd that had been kept in check for most of the night.

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This time, though, the Saints had the answer. Ryan, who finished the night with two interceptions and a lost fumble, was sacked for the ninth time on a do-or-die fourth-down attempt from the Saints' 44, sealing the New Orleans victory.

Sporting News tracked live updates, highlights and score changes for Saints vs. Falcons.

(All times Eastern)

Final:Saints 26Falcons 18

11:34 p.m.: Cameron Jordan gets his way into the pocket to sack Ryan on fourth down to put the wraps on the Thanksgiving win.

11:32 p.m.: The Saints sack Ryan on third down but get an illegal hands to the face penalty. First down for Atlanta in Saints territory.

11:29 p.m.: Younghoe Koo delivers yet again with his third (successful) onside kick. The Falcons will have a chance to tie things up.

11:28 p.m.: FIELD GOAL, FALCONS. Atlanta opts to bring out eh field-goal unit on first down to make it a one-possession game and Koo delivers. Saints 26, Falcons 18.

11:26 p.m.: Atlanta is down to the Saints 25 at the two-minute warning.

11:20 p.m.: The Falcons recover the initial onside kick but are called for an offsides penalty. Atlanta tries again and is successful again.

11:17 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, FALCONS. Ryan hits Russell Gage in the end zone after he beat his defender for a 13-yard score. Atlanta's two-point conversion is no good for Cameron Ridley. Saints 26, Falcons 15.

11:11 p.m.: FIELD GOAL, SAINTS. Add another three points to the Saints' total via Lutz's 45-yard kick. Saints 26, Falcons 9.

11p.m.: Another Matt Ryan turnover. He tries to scramble for the first down but fumbles and the Saints are on it.

10:54 p.m.: FIELD GOAL, SAINTS. Lutz drills another kick, this time a 42-yard field goal. Saints 23, Falcons 9.

10:45 p.m.: Ryan is picked off again, this time by Chauncey Gardner-Johnson. He returns it 28 yards to the Falcons 29.

End of third quarter: Saints 20, Falcons 9

10:35 p.m.: New Orleans' drive goes backward and the Saints punt it away.

10:33 p.m.: Ryan's pass is intercepted by Saints defensive lineman Shy Tuttle who stiff arms Ryan on his way to the Falcons 49.

10:22 p.m.: FIELD GOAL, SAINTS. Lutz's 47-yard field goal is through the uprights and good. Saints 20, Falcons 9.

10:12 p.m.: Ryan goes down on third down by the Saints pass rush and the Falcons will boot it away.

10:08 p.m.: New Orleans punts after five plays.

10:03 p.m.: Saints start the second half with the ball.

Halftime: Saints 17, Falcons 9

StatsFirst downs : Falcons 13, Saints 9Total yards : Saints 198, Falcons 171Passing yards : Saints 147, Falcons 130Rushing yards : Saints 51, Falcons 41Penalties : Falcons 2-10, Saints 3-72Possession : Falcons 18:04, Saints 11:56

9:46 p.m.: FIELD GOAL, FALCONS. Koo shakes off the early jitters and drills a 45-yard attempt to cut into the lead shortly before the half. Saints 17, Falcons 9.

9:36 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, SAINTS. Taysom Hill strikes yet again. He takes the direct snap and scores a 30-yard touchdown for his second score of the night. Saints 17, Falcons 6.

9:30 p.m.: Younghoe Koo's 42-yard attempt sails left of the uprights and is no good. He's left four points off the scoreboard already.

9:18 p.m.: FIELD GOAL, SAINTS. Jared Cook is unable to bring in a would-be touchdown grab so the Saints have to settle for a 22-yard WilLutz field goal. Saints 10, Falcons 6.

9:06 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, FALCONS. On the next play following the Saints penalty, Ryan slings it to Jaeden Graham for an 18-yard touchdown. The extra-point is wide left. Saints 7, Falcons 6.

9:05 p.m.: Ryan underthrows Calvin Ridley deep but Eli Apple is again called for pass interference and the Falcons will have another opportunity in the red zone.

9p.m.: New Orleans quickly goes three-and-out and the Falcons will start their next drive with good field position.

8:57 p.m.: Ryan's slant pass is off the mark and Atlanta turns it over on downs at the Saints 2.

End of first quarter: Saints 7, Falcons 0

8:51 p.m.: Matt Ryan takes a shot downfield to Calvin Ridley but Eli Apple is called for pass interference, setting the Falcons up at the Saints 11.

8:44 p.m.: The Falcons force a Saints punt and the Atlanta offense is back on the field.

8:37 p.m.: Atlanta punts it back to New Orleans after six plays.

8:29 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, SAINTS. Drew Brees delivers a pop pass to Taysom Hill who punches it in for a touchdown. Saints 7, Falcons 0.

8:26 p.m.: The Saints force a three-and-out and then block Atlanta's punt, setting up great field position for their first drive.

8:23 p.m.: Falcons win the toss and will receive.