New Orleans still has a perfect record. That’s all that really matters.

The fact that it was yet another close call doesn’t worry them.

Drew Brees passed for 296 yards and threw three touchdowns, while Jonathan Vilma had two defensive plays that were huge as the Saints were able to pull another tight win out 26-23 on Sunday over a pesky Falcons team.

Last week New Orleans (13-0) seem to be at the brink of defeat. Then Washington missed a short field goal during regulation. In overtime the Saints rallied to win the game 33-30.

They struggled this time to hold off the Falcons who were missing their offensive stars Michael Turner and Matt Ryan due to injury. The game result was doubtful until the crushing hit on fourth down by Vilma on Jason Snelling to stop him a yard short with a minute to play.

The Saints joined the Colts, who also won on Sunday, as one of the seven teams in the NFL to have a 13-0 record. The last two games however have been their closest margins in a season where they have dominated with wins in double digits.

Is there any reason to be concerned?

Vilma said, why should we be worried? We are 13-0. In the NFL you don’t get too many blowout wins.

Brees said, we refer to it as being battle tested.

Although the Saints may have been short on style points, they did set their franchise record in terms of most wins in a season. They also clinched having a bye for the first round of the playoffs as well as moving one step closer to having home field advantage during the entire NFC playoffs.

Brees said, from now on it will only get harder. No matter what, we always feel we have a chance to win the game. Whether it’s our defense, offense, special teams, we find some how to win the game.

With 4:42 left to play, Garrett Hartley kicked a field goal of 38 yards to give New Orleans the lead back after Atlanta had rallied from a two touchdown deficit to tie the score at 23 all.

The Falcons still had a few opportunities to pull an improbable victory out. Both of those chances were stopped by Vilma.

On the first one, the linebacker dropped back to cover and picked off Chris Redman’s pass up the middle that was intended to go to Roddy White. New Orleans didn’t score any points from the turnover. They did attempt the fake field goal, but it didn’t work.

Atlanta was attempting to get into range for a field goal on fourth down and 2 from the 46 yard line of the Saints. Redman threw a short pass over to Snelling, however the running back was plastered by Vilma after just a gain of one yard. Earlier during the game the Falcons had run that exact same play. Vilma was able to read the play all the way.

New Orleans defense surrendered 392 yards and only forced Atlanta to punt one time. However it didn’t prove to be costly.

Vilma said, we always want it put on our shoulders when the game is at the end.

Atlanta (6-7) lost their sixth game out of the last eight. Their chances to make the playoffs are about over. They will need to win their remaining games to avoid extending one of sports most unwanted streaks. The Falcons in their 44 year history haven’t ever had back to back winning seasons.

The Saints are chasing history. Just three more wins and they will have the perfect regular season. Only three teams have been able to do that.

Brees said, for us it does mean a lot. This kind of a year doesn’t happen too often.

It was another big game for Brees. He went 31 for 40 and had touchdown passes to Marques Colston and Reggie Bush.

It appeared that the Saints were pulling away after Brees connected with Bush for a touchdown of 21 yards, capping their first possession third quarter. It extended the Saints lead to 23-9.

Bush also scored on a pass of 6 yards, after missing two games due to a knee injury and playing only sparingly versus Washington. To get over the goal line Bush dove, sticking the ball out using his left arm.

However, the Falcons were able to close the gap. Redman connected on a touchdown pass of 50 yards with Michael Jenkins. Atlanta’s defense then forced the only Saints punt in the game. Snelling powered the ball in from the four yard line to tie the score with 12:56 left at 23.

The Saints and Brees came back. Appearing to want to run out the clock, New Orleans had their longest drive, a 63 yard, 16 play march down field. It stalled finally on the Falcons 20 yard line after Brees was called for intentional grounding.

Harley, who missed on an extra point attempt earlier, booted a field goal, his second of the game, to give the Saints the lead for good.

Chris Redman went 23 for 34 for a a total of 303 yards passing for Atlanta, but with Turner not playing didn’t get much assistance from the running game. Snelling was Atlanta’s top rusher in the game with 37 yards in 10 carries.

Tony Gonzalez, Falcons tight end said, hopefully we will be able to build on this and finish out the season strong. Who knows. Maybe we will get hot. If no one else gets hot then we might have a chance.