Drew Brees breaks another yet record on Monday Night Football, as he becomes the first quarterback to throw for 540 touchdown passes in NFL history.
It was Drew Brees’ night. Going up against an Indianapolis Colts team that had fallen out of the playoff mix in recent weeks, it was only a matter of time before Brees and his New Orleans Saints made history on Monday Night Football in front of the home crowd. Brees entered play only three touchdown passes shy of setting an NFL career record. Of course, he was getting No. 540 tonight.
Brees was one touchdown pass behind Tom Brady all time and two back of Peyton Manning, all of whom will be no-doubt, first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famers. Manning is eligible in 2021, while Brady and Brees are still playing. So it might be a while before the get to don a gold jacket in Canton, Ohio.
But Brees and the Saints still had work to do. Entering play at 10-3 with playoff positioning still on the line, the New Orleans offense got to work very quickly. The Saints scored a field goal on their first drive of the ball game, but by their second drive, it was The Drew Brees Show.
Brees and the Saints offense would orchestrate a 12-play, 90-yard drive that was capped off by a dime of a pass to wide receiver Michael Thomas. Given Thomas’ nature as a most sure-handed receiver, there was no doubt he’d strike pay dirt when Brees threw in his direction from 15 yards out. The Saints went up 10-0 after the made PAT and it was touchdown pass No. 538 for Brees.
After Jacoby Brissett and the Colts offense went three-and-out in the ensuing series, Brees and the Saints offense went back to doing what it does best: Put Brees in position to throw darts in the end zone for six points. He connected on a 21-yard strike to wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith to cap off a 10-play, 85-yard drive. This touchdown pass tied Manning for first all time with No. 539.
The Colts would do a little better than a three-and-out in the ensuing series, but was there enough time for Brees to break this record before halftime? He had 3 minutes and 11 seconds to do his magic before intermission. Did he do it? Did he have enough time?
For a minute there, he did, as Brees would connect to Smith again for a five-yard touchdown with merely seconds left. However, that record-setting touchdown was nullified, thanks to a questionable pass interference call on Smith and the Saints again! Unbelievable! They’d have to settle for another Wil Lutz field goal to take a 20-0 lead into halftime.
So we needed the first drive of the second half for Brees to get it done in front of the home crowd. Brees once again carved up the Colts defense, capping off a 12-play, 75-yard touchdown drive by completing a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Josh Hill. There was no doubt about this one, as Hill was wide open in the end zone for six. Brees is the first to No. 540 and the new record holder.
It was a great moment for one of the greatest players in NFL history. This record needed to be broken in front of Who Dat Nation. This is one of the best records any quarterback could ever have. That being said, this record isn’t set in stone, as Brady and Brees are likely to battle this one out until one or both retires. Congratulations, Drew and a job well done to get to No. 540!