Brees breaks Peyton Manning’s all-time touchdown passing record
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees went 29-of-30 for 307 yards and four touchdowns as the Saints dismantled the Indianapolis Colts 34-7 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Brees’ four touchdown passes meant the 40-year-old surpassed Peyton Mannings record of 539 (set in 2015) as he dissected the Colts zone coverage with surgical precision.
Brees was denied the record prior to the half thanks to a dubious offensive pass interference call on Tre’Quan Smith, however the future hall of famer didn’t have to wait long to rewrite the history books. The veteran signal caller marched the Saints 75-yards downfield on the opening possession of the second half. Brees twelfth play of the drive broke the record as he found a wide open Josh Hill for a touchdown. Fans stood to applaud and acknowledge the achievement as teammates swamped the quarterback. As Brees headed to the sidelines he acknowledged his onlooking family members before sharing an embrace with head coach Sean Payton.
Michael Thomas edged ever closer to Marvin Harrison’s record of 143 receptions in a season as the star wideout reeled in all 12 of his targets for 128 yards and a touchdown during another dominant performance.
Colts quarterback Jacob Brissett struggled throughout the game with several passes sailing high of his intended target. The Saints took full advantage of Brissett’s shortcomings and soon found themselves 20-0 up at the half thanks to two touchdowns passes from Brees. The first a 15 yard strike to Michael Thomas capped a 12 play 75 yard drive. Tre’Quan Smith added the second touchdown as he reeled in a 21-yard pass leaving Brees tied with Manning on 539 touchdown passes. Wil Lutz added field goals from 33 and 26 yards.
Demario Davis and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson were a constant thorn in the side of the Colts offense. Gardner-Johnson two tackles for a loss held Colts running back Marlon Mack to 19 yards off 11 carries, whilst Demario Davis showcased his coverage skills with two passes defensed against tight end Jack Doyle. The Colts looked to star wideout T.Y. Hilton on numerous occasions throughout the game in a desperate bid to get the offense going. However Hilton was blanketed by Marshon Lattimore throughout and was held to just four receptions off nine targets for 25 yards.
Brees would go on to extend the record to 541 touchdown passes with a 28-yard pass to Taysom Hill extending the Saints lead to 34-0 with just 34 seconds left in the third quarter.
Brisset finished the night 18-of-34 for 165 yards and zero touchdowns. A one yard Jordan Wilkins touchdown prevented a shutout. Defeat for the Colts ends their 2019 season as they’ve been officially eliminated from playoffs.
Up next the New Orleans Saints travel to Nashville to take on the Tennessee Titans whilst the Indianapolis Colts entertain the Carolina Panthers.
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