ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons stayed out of the DeAngelo Hall sweepstakes this week.

Who needs DeAngelo when the Falcons have Domonique?

Hall, the former Falcons’ cornerback, was released by Oakland before signing with the Washington Redskins this week.

The Falcons showed no interest, but they appeared well-fortified at the cornerback position in Sunday’s 34-20 win over the New Orleans Saints.

Domonique Foxworth, who was a relatively quiet addition to the Atlanta roster immediately before the season, is beginning to look like a key to the team’s surprising playoff hopes.

Foxworth, making his second start at cornerback for the Falcons, broke up three passes — all in the first quarter — and had five tackles as the defense frustrated Drew Brees and the Saints.

Denver traded Foxworth to the Falcons on Sept. 2 for a conditional seventh-round draft choice in 2009.

The pick could be higher, based on Foxworth’s playing time. It’s looking like the fourth-year veteran will be playing a lot the rest of the way, as he has replaced Brent Grimes in the Falcons’ starting secondary.

The Saints identified Foxworth, who joined second-year player Chris Houston as the starting cornerbacks, as a new starter and tried to test him early in the game.

Foxworth was up to the challenge.

Foxworth’s three pass breakups in the first quarter were a high mark for an opening quarter for an Atlanta player since 1994.

"We came in knowing both of their corners were young and relatively inexperienced," said Saints receiver Marques Colston. "We felt both their corners were good matchups for us."

The Falcons (6-3) finished with three interceptions — by Houston, safety Erik Coleman and cornerback Chevis Jackson. Jackson returned his interception 95 yards for a touchdown.

"They are the best passing offense in the league," said Foxworth of the Saints. "We knew coming into this game that the pressure was going to be on us. We believe in our secondary and we have been playing really well the past several weeks.

"We are proud to put it on display in front of the world against the best passing offense. More than anything, I’m proud of the young guys for stepping up."

Brees attempted 58 passes and had 422 yards passing, but the Falcons were mostly successful in denying big plays.

"Going into the game, we wanted to make sure that we didn’t give up any explosive plays," said Falcons coach Mike Smith. "... We did a good job. We got a lot of pressure on the quarterback. Our guys had to play coverage for a long time in terms of Drew being able to improvise and extend plays, but they did a nice job."

Foxworth gave credit to the pass rush led by defensive end John Abraham, who had his 11th sack of the season and four quarterback hurries.

"At no level have I ever played a game where the defensive line put on so much pressure," Foxworth said.

"It makes our lives a lot easier."

Foxworth averaged 55 tackles and 11 pass breakups in his three seasons in Denver, where he played cornerback, safety and nickel back.

He totaled 166 tackles and three interceptions in 46 games, including 18 starts.

My bad

Brees completed only two passes for 16 yards to tight end Jeremy Shockey, and the quarterback made some animated points in a discussion between the two following an incompletion in the third quarter.

Brees ran up to Shockey on the field, and the two continued the exchange on the sideline.

"That was not a big deal at all," Brees said. "It was just a miscommunication on the protection on the play before. ... Not a big deal. Just trying to get on the same page."

The incomplete pass on third down came after Brees was pressured by Abraham on incompletions the two previous plays.

"Put that on me," said Shockey in taking responsibility for the missed assignment.

"No one is more disappointed in that play than myself."

Shockey’s injury problems continued when he left the game with an ankle sprain.

Shockey missed three games because of sports hernia surgery in Week 4 and was not at full strength in two games since his return.

The Saints hoped a bye week would have him healthy for the first time since early in the season.

Abraham OK

Abraham gave the Falcons a scare when he needed attention from the trainers with only 1:08 left in the first half after taking a hit.

He said he was kicked in the head.

Abraham returned for the start of the second half, but he walked off the field shaking his left arm at least twice after taking a hit to his left shoulder.

"I feel great, just a little beat up," he said.

Worth noting