The Atlanta Falcons kept the New Orleans Saints on their heels until the final seconds of the teams’ divisional matchup Monday night.But when Saints safety Darren Sharper pulled down an interception near his own goal line with three seconds left, the Saints walked off the Superdome field victorious and still undefeated.New Orleans’ 35-27 victory extends the team’s record to 7-0, tying the franchise’s best start and making the Saints one of two remaining undefeated teams along with the Indianapolis Colts. The win also extends the Saints’ division lead to three games against Atlanta.The Saints seemed to have the game locked up with 1:42 remaining when they forced an incomplete pass from Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan on fourth down.But Falcons backup safety Coy Wire stripped the ball from Saints running back Mike Bell 19 seconds later, and Atlanta was back in business.Ryan led Atlanta down field for a 40-yard Jason Elam field goal with 28 seconds remaining to cut the Saint lead to 35-27.Wire recovered the ensuing onside kick for Atlanta, and advanced to ball to the New Orleans 49-yard line with 11 seconds remaining for one more Ryan hail mary attempt.But the attempt landed squarely in Sharper’s hands, and the party was on in New Orleans.The New Orleans defense harassed Ryan all night. The former Boston College standout finished the night 19-for-42 for 289 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Ryan was also sacked three times.Saints quarterback Drew Brees countered with a 25-for-33, 308-yard performance of his own. Brees threw two touchdowns to one interception in the victory.Brees spread the ball around to several receivers. Marques Colston led the way with six receptions for 85 yards and a touchdown, and tight end Jeremy Shockey added five catches for 72 yards.Robert Meachem and Devery Henderson tallied 47 and 46 receiving yards, respectively.Falcons running back Michael Turner led all rushers with 151 yards on 20 carries for one touchdown.But the Saints’ running back by committee matched the Falcons’ standout nearly yard for yard.Pierre Thomas finished with 91 yards and a touchdown, Mike Bell finished with 49 yards and Reggie Bush added a touchdown on just three yards of his own.The Saints stay at home and await division foe Carolina for a 3:05 showdown Sunday.The Falcons return to Atlanta for a noon matchup Sunday against the Washington Redskins.The primetime matchup was the first Monday Night Football appearance for both the Saints and the Falcons this season.The Saints will appear on Monday night again later this month for a Nov. 30 matchup against New England in the Superdome.—-Contact The Daily Reveille’s sports staff at [email protected]