Did anyone else notice on Drew Brees' interception...?

I do understand about the ball popping loose when he hit the ground. I suppose that his 'first' grab wasn't considered a catch because he hadn't made a 'football move'.
But at first I just assumed that if he was touched while going to the ground, it was as good as a tackle. I wasn't trying to start any additional 'favoritism' discussions, I just wanted to know what the ruling was regarding the defender being able to get up and shorten the field without placing the ball back to where he hit the ground.