The Saints ended the season on a positive note with a thrilling 20-17 win over the Atlanta Falcons (8-8).
After the Saints were forced to punt, the Falcons got on the board first after a methodical drive that ended with Atlanta having to settle for a 51-yard field goal by former Saints kicker Shayne Graham.
The Saints responded quickly with a march down the field that was capped off with Tim Hightower running it in from one-yard out to take the lead.
The Falcons responded on the next drive with Matt Ryan connecting with Tony Moeaki on a 42-yard pass to go up once again.
The Saints got the lead back on the following drive with Brees connecting with Ben Watson in the endzone that was initially ruled an incomplete pass, but was overturned and ruled a touchdown after Sean Payton challenged it.
But the Falcons were able to turn the momentum after the Saints turned it over on downs late in the second quarter and marched down the field, with the drive capped off by Ryan connecting with Devonta Freeman to go up 17-10 heading into the locker room.
The Saints opened up the second half by forcing the Falcons to punt, and going down the field with a methodical drive that ended with Kai Forbath booting a 41-yarder through the uprights.
The score remained that way until after a interception by Ryan deep in their own territory and had Forbath send a 30-yarder through the uprights as time expired to come away with the victory.
The Saints end the season with a 7-9 record for the second straight season and for the fourth time under Sean Payton.
-Clint Domingue