To borrow the title of famous rock and roll music group Frankie Valli and the Four Season’s classic hit song from nearly 45 years ago (back in late 1975): “Oh What a Night” it was for both the New Orleans Saints and their future Hall-of-Fame Quarterback Drew Brees at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome last night.
The soon-to-be 41-year old and veteran of 19 NFL seasons had what was one of the greatest performances of his entire professional career in front of a national television audience; as the Black and Gold whipped the visiting Indianapolis Colts by a score of 34-7 on ESPN Monday Night Football.
Perhaps more importantly, the win allowed the Saints to improve their overall win-loss record to (11-3) with only two regular season games still left to play. Meanwhile, Indianapolis fell to (6-8) overall with the loss and they were officially eliminated from post-season contention.
As a result of last night’s outcome, New Orleans still remains as the current #3 overall seed in the NFC if the Playoffs were to start today — and as of now: the Saints would host a game at the Superdome in the Wild Card Round during the first weekend of January, against the current #6 seed Minnesota Vikings.
But with future NFL Playoff considerations put to the side at least for the moment, last night’s victory was and will remain forever memorable for the incredible individual performance given by Brees.
Drew Brees sets single-game NFL completion record with 96.7 percent performance!https://t.co/fjwZ5ifWDJ
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 17, 2019
@drewbrees well done my friend https://t.co/etWpIb9t23
— Charles Woodson (@CharlesWoodson) December 17, 2019
With his family and friends watching on from one of the furnished suites high above the stadium, not only did Brees manage to surpass NFL Hall of Fame QB Peyton Manning (539) to become the NFL’s all-time passing touchdown leader with his (540) career TD pass midway in the 3rd Quarter, but he also managed to set the League’s all-time completion percentage record in an individual game.
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Yards leader. Touchdowns leader. RECORD-SLAYER. pic.twitter.com/inFCArqQtV
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 17, 2019
Brees completed 29-passes-out-of-30-attempts (an incredible 96.7% with only one incompletion) to go along with 307 passing yards and 4 total TD passes, as he broke the previous NFL single game completion percentage record that was formerly held by Los Angeles Chargers QB Phillip Rivers.
The records were achievements that even his long-time head coach Sean Payton marveled at, as he addressed reporters at his post-game press conference soon not long after the game had ended.
But he couldn’t resist first without joking and giving his star player a little bit of a ‘hard time’ about the single pass attempt that he (Brees) didn’t complete.
“I’m trying to think of the incompletion. He’ll get a minus-grade on that play” Payton stated, as he grinned.
Drew Brees went 29-30 tonight
Payton on Brees’ one incompletion tonight ? #Saints pic.twitter.com/8dsuSgMFv0
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 17, 2019
“I wouldn’t be here without Sean (Payton),”
Drew Brees reflecting on the impact his coach has had on him #Saints pic.twitter.com/MfKq3ZuEvo
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 17, 2019
From his own perspective however, Brees told reporters at that same post-game press conference that none of last night’s achievements would have ever been possible without his good friend and mentor in Payton. “I wouldn’t even be here without Sean”, he said.
Brees then went on to elaborate further on what the night had meant to him in particular.
“It was special, everything about the night,” Brees told reporters. “I don’t know how they pick them, right? ‘Monday Night Football,’ we’re playing the Colts, the (same) team we won the Super Bowl against 10 years ago, so the whole Super Bowl XLIV is back for the 10th anniversary and obviously national television, big game. And now that record in the balance as well.
“Just kind of makes you shake your head, like are you kidding me? I’m not sure how we got here. It just kind of makes your whole life and career flash before your eyes because I never thought I would’ve had the chance to be a part of something like this.”
Brees then later noted that the desire for himself now moving forward was to see his current teammates win a Super Bowl championship ring with him before he eventually retires.
Drew Brees said he’d trade all the records for another ring, “for these guys.”
— John Hendrix (@JohnJHendrix) December 17, 2019
“I’d (gladly) trade all the records for another ring for these guys”, Brees said smiling.
Last night’s dominant performance on both sides of the football was definitely a very welcome one for New Orleans, as it allowed the team and its passionate fan-base to wash out the bad taste that still remained left over from last week’s stunning and heart-breaking 48-46 loss to the San Francisco 49ers at home inside the Superdome.
MORE STEAM ???
? Drew x Taysom ? #SAINTS pic.twitter.com/PGUFGVlRbB
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 17, 2019
The Saints will now play their final two regular season games on the road to end their 2019 NFL season; first at Nashville against the Tennessee Titans next Sunday afternoon. That game will be televised regionally by FOX and shown locally in NOLA on WVUE FOX Channel 8.
The Black and Gold will then finish off their regular season on the following Sunday afternoon (December 29th) at Charlotte, North Carolina, when they will travel to face the Carolina Panthers. That game also will be televised regionally by FOX and shown locally in NOLA by WVUE FOX Channel 8.
Barry Hirstius is a semi-retired journalist, who has worked as a sports editor and columnist. Barry is a New Orleans native who grew up as a fan of the Saints while attending games as a young boy at the old Tulane Stadium. He is the proud Grandfather of two beautiful young girls, Jasmine and Serenity. Follow him on Twitter: @BarryHirstius
