Vilma: 'Put it on our shoulders ... and we'll take care of it'

ATLANTA -- Jonathan Vilma turned in the two biggest defensive plays of the game Sunday, helping the Saints move to 13-0 with a 26-23 victory against the Falcons. With 3:55 left, Vilma picked off Chris Redman's attempt to hit Roddy White over the middle. With 1:18 left, Vilma stopped Jason Snelling for a 1-yard gain on a fourth-and-2 pass play, ending Atlanta's hopes of an upset. Vilma spoke with Sporting News' Ryan Fagan and other reporters after the game.

Question: Most of the talk about the Saints this year has been about the offense. But you guys on defense got a chance to make the big plays today. How good did it feel to close them out?
Jonathan Vilma: We've been saying that since OTAs. Just put it on our shoulders in the fourth quarter and we'll take care of it.

Q: On that fourth-and-2 play with Snelling, did you know you had him short of the first down when you hit him?
JV: No. I just made sure that I stopped him right there. I didn't want to let him get any extra yardage.

Q: Is there any concern because maybe you guys aren't blowing people out like you did earlier in the year?
JV: No. Why would there be concern? We're 13-0 and have wrapped up at least the No. 2 seed in the conference. Why would there be concern about that?

Q: No worry about the close games?
JV: That's the first thing people are going to ask you -- did you win or lose? That's the most important thing.

Q: Can you talk about the interception in the fourth quarter?
JV: It was the same play that had burned us earlier in the game. We said if we saw it again, we would make adjustments. I was able to break on it and make a play.

Q: What's the biggest difference for the defense between this year and last year?
JV: Turnovers have been huge. Last year, we were maybe middle of the pack in turnovers, and this year we are first. Last year, we were 0-5 in games that were decided by three points or less and this year we are undefeated.

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(sportingnews.com)