The Atlanta Falcons face a battle to protect their unbeaten record after entering the half-time interval 14-7 down to the New Orleans Saints.

Putting their faith in offense from kickoff, the Saints were rewarded early on as they charged over with the opening drive when Drew Brees led his side forward, before allowing Mark Ingram to take centre stage from two yards out as he bounced off two challenges for the touchdown.

It was a sluggish start from the Falcons offense, with their own opening drive ending with a turnover on downs when Matt Ryan retrieved his own fumble as the visiting team struggled to find their plays in the first quarter.

The Saints were 14-0 ahead before the start of the second quarter, thanks to an impressive play from special teams as Michael Mauti blocked a Matt Bosher punt before collecting the loose ball to hurry into the endzone for the score.

It took a tempo change for the Falcons to begin to click as Ryan started to hit his receivers, and it was Roddy White who reduced the deficit as he peeled away in the endzone to collect a seven-yard pass from his quarterback.

Ryan looked to be leading the Falcons towards parity with the ball in hand after the two-minute warning, but a second fumble ended his final drive of the first half. Zach Hocker threatened to make it a 10-point lead for the Saints with a 51-yard field goal attempt which drifted wide of the post.