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Brees sets NFL all-time TD mark as Saints crush Colts 34-7
NEW ORLEANS (AP) Drew Brees trotted along the sideline holding his helmet and a Hall of Fame-bound ball in his left hand while using his right hand to wave and blow kisses to an adoring Superdome crowd.
Another milestone, another memory, for an undersized and once underestimated player who has broken just about every significant record a quarterback can break - and doesn't look anywhere near done at age 40.
Brees became the NFL's all-time leader in touchdown passes, throwing for four scores to lead the New Orleans Saints to a 34-7 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Monday night.
''It was special, everything about the night,'' Brees said. ''It just kind of makes your whole life and career flash before your eyes, because I never thought I'd have a chance to be part of something like this.''
The scoring strike that broke Peyton Manning's record of 539 career touchdown passes came in the third quarter, when Brees hit tight end Josh Hill for a 5-yard score. Brees' next pass in the game was the 541st scoring toss of his career, a 28-yarder to reserve QB and utility player Taysom Hill that put the Saints up 34-0.
''He's done that to a lot of defenses,'' Colts coach Frank Reich said. ''When he gets like that. I don't know that anybody can stop him.''
Now in his 19th season, the 6-foot Brees - a 2001 second-round draft choice - came into the game already holding NFL records for completions with 6,792 and yards passing with 72,577. He built on those numbers while also setting a record for completion percentage in a game. He completed 29 of 30 passes - 96.7% - for 307 yards before being relieved by Teddy Bridgewater in the fourth quarter. That broke the mark Philip Rivers had held since completing 28 of 29 (96.6%) against Arizona last season.
''He had a hot hand, obviously,'' Saints coach Sean Payton said. ''Guys were making plays, but that's awfully difficult to do.''
The victory kept the Saints (11-3), who'd already won the NFC South, in the running with Seattle (11-3), San Francisco (11-3) and Green Bay (11-3) for one of the top two seeds in the NFC playoffs.
''There's a lot at stake right now relative to these games when you look at the top of the NFC,'' Payton said. ''It's about winning and winning and winning and trying to give yourself the best chance in the postseason.''
The Colts (6-8) were eliminated from playoff contention after losing their fourth straight and sixth out of seven.
They were also left struggled to explain their lack of competitiveness in a game they needed to win.
''I wish I knew all the answers,'' Colts linebacker Darius Leonard said. ''I hate losing more than I love winning.''
Jacoby Brissett struggled at times with accuracy and finished 18 of 34 for 165 yards against a Saints defense looking for redemption after allowing 48 points in a loss to the 49ers a week earlier.
Meanwhile, Colts defenders had no answer for Michael Thomas, who caught 12 passes for 128 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown. Thomas' eighth game this season with at least 10 catches give him 133 for the season, which is also the fourth-highest single-season total in NFL history.
With four more catches, Thomas will pass Antonio Brown and Julio Jones for second most in a season. He needs 11 to eclipse Marvin Harrison's record of 143 from 2002.
Tre'Quan Smith caught a 21-yard touchdown pass for New Orleans.
Jordan Wilkins scored the Colts' lone TD on a 1-yard run in the fourth quarter.
FLUID RECORD
While Brees holds the career touchdown pass record for now, the Patriots' Tom Brady is only three behind at 538.
''It's a fluid record,'' Payton said. ''There's still another quarterback in New England, so that will go back and forth as long as those two are playing.''
The next-closest active player is Rivers with 395.
Brees wasn't about to underestimate Brady's ability to keep pace.
''He's such a stud. He's got a lot of rings and records,'' Brees said of Brady. ''He's awesome.''
HAILING HILL
Brees said the ball with which he threw his record-breaking TD would go to the Pro Football Hall of Fame and also sounded particularly pleased by who caught it.
''I love the fact it was Josh Hill,'' Brees said, noting that Hill made the team as an undrafted rookie in 2013 and has been reliable both on offense and special teams ever since.
''The epitome of a great teammate, kind of an unsung hero,'' Brees said. ''He's done an unbelievable job. I have so much trust and confidence in him.''
INJURIES
Colts: Reserve safety Rolan Milligan left the game with a foot injury in the first half. Cornerback Quincy Wilson left with a shoulder injury.
Saints: Right guard Larry Warford needed help to the sideline with a left knee injury early in the third quarter. Defensive back C.J. Gardner Johnson left the game with a concussion in the fourth quarter.
UP NEXT
Colts: Host Carolina on Sunday.
Saints: Visit Tennessee on Sunday.
---
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Copyright 2019 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
J. Wilkins
30 RB 10 RuYds, RuTD, 7 ReYds, REC |
7
FPTS
|
|
D. Brees
9 QB 307 PaYds, 4 PaTDs |
36
FPTS
|
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
Time of Pos | 23:38 | 35:44 |
1st Downs | 16 | 27 |
Rushing | 5 | 7 |
Passing | 8 | 18 |
Penalty | 3 | 2 |
3rd Down Conv | 3-12 | 5-9 |
4th Down Conv | 1-2 | 0-0 |
Total Net Yards | 205 | 424 |
Total Plays | 52 | 63 |
Avg Gain | 3.9 | 6.7 |
Net Yards Rushing | 46 | 117 |
Rush Attempts | 17 | 33 |
Avg Rush Yards | 2.7 | 3.5 |
Net Yards Passing | 159 | 307 |
Comp. - Att. | 18-34 | 29-30 |
Yards Per Pass | 4.7 | 10.2 |
Penalties - Yards | 7-49 | 6-52 |
Touchdowns | 1 | 4 |
Rushing TDs | 1 | 0 |
Passing TDs | 0 | 4 |
Other | 0 | 0 |
Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 6-32.2 | 2-43.5 |
Return Yards | 19 | 29 |
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 3-29 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 1-19 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Red Zone Eff. | 1-1 -100% | 2-4 -50% |
Goal to Go Eff. | 1-1 -100% | 1-2 -50% |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
J. Brissett
7 QB
6 FPTS
|
J. Brissett | 18/34 | 165 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
M. Mack
25 RB
1 FPTS
|
M. Mack | 11 | 19 | 0 | 7 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. Hines
21 RB
1 FPTS
|
N. Hines | 2 | 10 | 0 | 5 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Wilkins
20 RB
7 FPTS
|
J. Wilkins | 3 | 10 | 1 | 5 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Brissett
7 QB
6 FPTS
|
J. Brissett | 1 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 6 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
Z. Pascal
14 WR
4 FPTS
|
Z. Pascal | 6 | 4 | 44 | 0 | 24 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Johnson
83 WR
3 FPTS
|
M. Johnson | 4 | 2 | 37 | 0 | 20 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Hilton
13 WR
2 FPTS
|
T. Hilton | 9 | 4 | 25 | 0 | 11 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Inman
86 WR
2 FPTS
|
D. Inman | 3 | 2 | 25 | 0 | 22 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Doyle
84 TE
2 FPTS
|
J. Doyle | 5 | 2 | 21 | 0 | 11 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Wilkins
20 RB
7 FPTS
|
J. Wilkins | 3 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Dulin
16 WR
0 FPTS
|
A. Dulin | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
N. Hines
21 RB
1 FPTS
|
N. Hines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
R. Ya-Sin
34 CB
|
R. Ya-Sin | 8-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Leonard
53 OLB
|
D. Leonard | 6-6 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Willis
37 SAF
|
K. Willis | 6-4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Walker
50 MLB
|
A. Walker | 5-5 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Okereke
58 ILB
|
B. Okereke | 3-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. Desir
35 CB
|
P. Desir | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Q. Wilson
31 CB
|
Q. Wilson | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Hooker
29 FS
|
M. Hooker | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Lewis
94 DE
|
T. Lewis | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Coley
91 DT
|
T. Coley | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Hunt
92 DE
|
M. Hunt | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Tell
39 CB
|
M. Tell | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Autry
96 DT
|
D. Autry | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. Odum
30 DB
|
G. Odum | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Houston
99 DE
|
J. Houston | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. Milligan
42 DB
|
R. Milligan | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Muhammad
97 DT
|
A. Muhammad | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Banogu
52 DE
|
B. Banogu | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
C. McLaughlin
5 K
1 FPTS
|
C. McLaughlin | 0/0 | 0 | 1/1 | 1 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
R. Sanchez
8 P
|
R. Sanchez | 6 | 37.0 | 2 | 50 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
N. Hines
21 RB
1 FPTS
|
N. Hines | 1 | 19.0 | 19 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
D. Brees
9 QB
36 FPTS
|
D. Brees | 29/30 | 307 | 4 | 0 | 36 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
A. Kamara
41 RB
8 FPTS
|
A. Kamara | 14 | 66 | 0 | 15 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. Murray
28 RB
4 FPTS
|
L. Murray | 9 | 29 | 0 | 8 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Washington
27 RB
2 FPTS
|
D. Washington | 3 | 20 | 0 | 12 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Z. Line
42 FB
0 FPTS
|
Z. Line | 2 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Hill
7 QB
10 FPTS
|
T. Hill | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Bridgewater
5 QB
0 FPTS
|
T. Bridgewater | 3 | -3 | 0 | -1 | 0 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
M. Thomas
13 WR
18 FPTS
|
M. Thomas | 12 | 12 | 128 | 1 | 24 | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Cook
87 TE
5 FPTS
|
J. Cook | 4 | 4 | 54 | 0 | 20 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Hill
7 QB
10 FPTS
|
T. Hill | 2 | 2 | 42 | 1 | 28 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Kamara
41 RB
8 FPTS
|
A. Kamara | 5 | 5 | 23 | 0 | 7 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Smith
10 WR
8 FPTS
|
T. Smith | 1 | 1 | 21 | 1 | 21 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
L. Murray
28 RB
4 FPTS
|
L. Murray | 3 | 2 | 20 | 0 | 10 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Ginn
19 WR
1 FPTS
|
T. Ginn | 1 | 1 | 13 | 0 | 13 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Hill
89 TE
6 FPTS
|
J. Hill | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Harris
11 WR
0 FPTS
|
D. Harris | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
C. Gardner-Johnson
22 DB
|
C. Gardner-Johnson | 6-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. Apple
25 CB
|
E. Apple | 5-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. Williams
26 CB
|
P. Williams | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Davis
56 OLB
|
D. Davis | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Hendrickson
91 DE
|
T. Hendrickson | 2-1 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Green
36 DB
|
T. Green | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Granderson
57 DE
|