The Falcons, coming off a franchise-record 306 yards on the ground against Tampa Bay, managed just 117 yards rushing on the inspired Saints. Vick had a miserable game, completing 12-of-31 for 137 yards.

“I never in my life heard a crowd roar so loud,” Vick said. “It just goes to show the appreciation they have for having the New Orleans Saints back in the dome, bringing football back to the city. I commend them for that. They deserve it.”

Any hopes of an Atlanta comeback were snuffed out on the first possession of the second half. New Orleans took the kickoff and drove 73 yards in 12 plays, burning more than 7½ minutes off the clock before settling for Carney’s third field goal from 20 yards.

“Who dat? Who dat? Who dat say dey gonna beat dem Saints?” the fans chanted.

Not the Falcons. Not on this night.

Video: Inside the Superdome Nightly News The Saints go marching in Sept. 25: The Saints reopened the Superdome Monday with a win over Atlanta that had all the trappings of a Super Bowl one year after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the city. NBC's Martin Savidge reports. Inside the renovated Superdome The Superdome's 50-yard line Inside a Superdome luxury suite Inside the Superdome's owner box

Alge Crumpler, the team’s normally sure-handed tight end, dropped a pass in the end zone with no one around him in the first quarter. Andersen, still reviled in New Orleans for leaving to sign with the rival Falcons more than a decade ago, had a 25-yard chip shot swatted away by Josh Bullocks on the night the kicker became the second-oldest player in NFL history.

Even the referees chipped in, picking up a flag on a dubious pass interference call that could have extended a Falcons drive late in the third quarter.

About the only thing that didn’t go right for New Orleans was a first touchdown for Bush. Still, “Saint Reggie” gave the fans several chances to cheer their rookie sensation, rushing for 53 yards and catching four passes for 19 yards.

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Deuce McAllister handled the bulk of the ground attack, with 19 rushes for 81 yards. Brees was 20-of-28 passing for 191 yards. His favorite receiver was rookie Marques Colston — the fourth-to-last pick in this year’s draft — who grabbed seven passes for 97 yards.

“If we had lost, the fans still would have been partying, they still would have been happy, because the organization is still in New Orleans,” receiver Joe Horn said. “But we wanted to put the icing on the cake.”

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And what a cake. The Saints seized first place all to themselves in the NFC South while matching their wins from all of last season. Forced to play in San Antonio, Baton Rouge and East Rutherford because of the Superdome’s massive damage, New Orleans struggled to a 3-13 record as a team without a home.

Now, they’re home for good.

Notes: Andersen did connect on a 26-yard field goal for the Falcons’ only points. ... Atlanta DE John Abraham missed his second straight game with a groin injury. ... Saints FB Mike Karney returned to the lineup after sitting out the previous week with a strained calf.

NFL game stories Quick look at Week 4 games STEELERS 23, RAVENS 20, OT: Baltimore loses first game of season REDSKINS 26, COWBOYS 24: Dallas can't contain Portis in 1st loss BEARS 24, EAGLES 20: Goal-line stand boosts Chicago JETS 56, CARDINALS 35: Favre throws career-high 6 TDs BUCS 30, PACKERS 21: Ryan's 3 FGs lift Tampa CHARGERS 28, RAIDERS 18: San Diego tops rival 10th straight time BILLS 31, RAMS 14: Buffalo 4-0 for first time since 1992 CHIEFS 33, BRONCOS 19: Johnson rushes for 198 yards for K.C. BROWNS 20, BENGALS 12: Anderson throws TD TITANS 30, VIKINGS 17: Tennessee 4-0 for first time ever PANTHERS 24, FALCONS 9: Smith honors Lucas after TD JAGUARS 30, TEXANS 27, OT: Scobey kicks game winner SAINTS 31, 49ERS 17: McAlister scores first TD of year