New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) celebrates with wide receiver Devery Henderson (19) after breaking Johnny Unitas' NFL record for consecutive games throwing a touchdown pass at 48 games during the first quarter of a game against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday at the Superdome.. (US Presswire)

New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees broke Johnny Unitas' 52-year-old record for consecutive games with a touchdown pass early in the team's game against the Chargers Sunday night at the Superdome.

Brees connected with Devery Henderson for a 40-yard score with 2:58 left in the first quarter as the Saints tied the score at 7. The TD pass gave Brees at least one in 48 straight games, breaking Unitas' streak of 47.

The last time Brees went without a touchdown pass was three years and three days ago against the New York Jets in the Superdome. He also has thrown for a TD in all six playoff games the Saints played from 2009-2011, although they don’t count toward his streak.
 
Brees does not have much breathing room. New England’s Tom Brady extended his streak to 37 with a touchdown pass against Denver earlier Sunday.
 
NBC cameras spotted suspended coach Sean Payton, general manager Mickey Loomis and linebackers coach Joe Vitt in the dome. All received special permission to attend the game from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after a personal request from Brees earlier in the week.
 
The Saints, who went 13-3 last year under Payton, are trying to avoid their first 0-5 start since 1996. Payton is suspended for the entire season. Vitt will return after the sixth game, and Loomis will come off suspension after the eighth game.
 
Unitas’ streak started in 1946, his rookie year, and ended in 1950.
 
After Henderson coasted into the end zone, Brees ran down to congratulate him, then got swarmed by teammates. After getting the touchdown ball, he trotted to the sideline, doing a chest bump with backup quarterback Chase Daniel along the way.
 
Brees then sat down on the bench like he would after any normal possession.

Follow Saints reporter Guerry Smith on Twitter @CBSSaints