As this game has progressed, you could say the Atlanta defense has remained inconsistent all game long. You could also say that Drew Brees has been doing almost whatever he wants, and that would be equally as true.
This game would perhaps be out of hand for the Falcons were not for one miraculous, spectacular play. With a first down inside the Atlanta red zone, Brees fired at Jimmy Graham in the end zone, but the ball was juggled, tipped up in the air by an alert William Moore, and ultimately intercepted in the end zone by Dominique Franks for a touchback.
That put the ball back in Matt Ryan's hands, but the drive would ultimately produce no points. Though Ryan hit Harry Douglas on a beautiful third-down completion, it was called back because of a holding penalty against Jacquizz Rodgers.
Then the Saints would do exactly what Mike Smith and Falcons fans alike had feared: Brees marched his offense all the way down the field yet again and hit tight end Jimmy Graham on a nine-yard touchdown pass, extending their lead to 21-10.
That is the current state of affairs at halftime. Unless the Falcons defense can find some sort of halftime answer a la week 14 against the Panthers, the Saints have this game well in hand.
For more, check out SB Nation's Falcons blog The Falcoholic and Saints blog Canal Street Chronicles.