NEW ORLEANS — For all of Dan Quinn’s background as a defensive specialist, the Atlanta Falcons’ second-year coach is fielding an offense about as good as anyone right now.

Matt Ryan has been efficient. Running backs Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman are wearing down defenses while keeping one another fresh. And the Falcons are outscoring even explosive opponents, as they did in a 45-32 triumph over the New Orleans Saints on Monday night.

It was a satisfying triumph for the Falcons (2-1), who came in with just two victories in their 10 previous trips to the Superdome. It also made Atlanta the early front-runner in the NFC South.

The winless Saints (0-3), by contrast, are in last place and were less competitive against the Falcons than they were in their first two losses to Oakland and the New York Giants.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees is still racking up gaudy numbers. He passed for 376 yards and three TDs against Atlanta. But he never seems to have much margin for error. He threw one interception on a tipped ball and it was returned 90 yards the other way by rookie linebacker Deion Jones.