"The first half belonged to Tony Gonzalez.

The Falcons' tight end caught seven of his eight passes for 99 yards, including a 13-yard, first-quarter touchdown pass from Matt Ryan and a fabulous catch of a tough ball on fourth down late in the second quarter. That one kept a drive alive on which Atlanta scored just before halftime.

"I started the game pretty hot," Gonzalez said. "From there, they went to that bracket coverage. I'm somewhat used to that, but that's how it goes. Luckily we get creative and I still get the ball."

Gonzalez pointed out that early in the game the Saints double-teamed Atlanta wide receiver Roddy White, who ended up with six catches for 69 yards and a TD in the Falcons' 27-24 overtime victory.

"When that happens you're going to get one-on-one coverage and when that happens you should get open," said Gonzalez, who had three receptions for 61 yards in the first quarter. "I know myself if I get one-on-one coverage, I should be able to get open, I don't care who it is, a safety, a corner, a linebacker, I should be able to get open."

That was certainly the case on his TD, when Gonzalez was isolated with Saints cornerback Tracy Porter and quarterback Matt Ryan threw a perfect strike.

"Really that play is designed for cover two when they're going to get (running back Jason Snelling) coming out of the backfield," he said. "Before the game I asked Matt, 'If that happens, do you still want me to take the seam or cross over?' And he said, 'Let's cross it over. Why would you go to get covered? Get over there across his face.' And he put the ball right on the money. We literally drew that up right before the game started, just making conversation, what do you want me to do just in case."

Saints linebacker Scott Shanle called Gonzalez a future Hall of Famer."