Drew Brees carved his name into NFL history with unforgettable performances while delivering iconic moments that fascinated the audience and earned him countless accolades. These 15 spectacular highlights capture his most electrifying feats on the field and showcase the brilliance, precision, and career-defining plays that made Brees a football legend.
The Super Bowl XLIV MVP Performance
After a season of dominance under Brees’ direction, the Saints won their first Super Bowl. His MVP performance included throwing 288 yards and two touchdowns that helped defeat the Colts 31-17. His pinpoint accuracy and poise on the biggest stage are still remembered as the epitome of clutch play.
Breaking Dan Marino’s Single-Season Passing Record
2011 saw Brees shatter Dan Marino’s long-standing single-season passing record by amassing 5,476 yards. This milestone sparked wild celebrations among fans and teammates. Along with surpassing 4,000 yards in the first 12 games of a season, Brees set a new franchise record for the Saints with 46 touchdown passes.
Setting the All-Time Passing Yards Record
Brees set the NFL’s all-time passing yards record in 2018 with a 62-yard touchdown pass to Tre’Quan Smith. He also achieved a career-high 89.66 completion percentage, completing 26 of 29 passes while reaching 500 career touchdown passes. It was a night of triumph as he surpassed Peyton Manning’s mark.
Leading the Saints to a 5-0 Start in 2009
During the Saints’ magical 2009 season,Drew Brees’ six touchdown throws equaled a career record in the opener against the Lions. He led the team to a franchise-first 5-0 start and earned NFC Offensive Player of the Month and two Offensive Player of the Week honors for his dominance.
Breaking Peyton Manning’s Career Touchdown Record
On a Monday night in 2019, Brees exceeded Peyton Manning’s overall record of 539 touchdown passes with a 5-yard toss to Josh Hill. The Superdome erupted as he set an NFL single-game record with a 96.7% completion rate and completed 29 of 30 passes in a 34-7 victory.
The 40-Point Comeback Against the Dolphins
Trailing 24-3 at halftime in 2009, Brees engineered a stunning comeback against the Dolphins. His dynamic performance—throwing for 298 yards and two scores while rushing for two touchdowns—rallied the Saints to a 46-34 win. It was a defining game in New Orleans’ Super Bowl run that year.
5,000-Yard Seasons Galore
Becoming the second quarterback in football’s history to reach 5,000 yards in a single season in 2008, Brees set the stage for a new trend. He is the only quarterback to achieve five 5,000-yard passing seasons, which showcases his exceptional talent and makes a significant impact.
2018 NFC Championship Overtime Drive
In the 2018 NFC Championship, Brees orchestrated a brilliant drive to tie the game. It demonstrated his leadership and poise under pressure. Later, he broke Brett Favre’s record for career pass completions with his 6,301st. In that game against the Falcons, he threw for 396 yards and five total touchdowns.
The Unitas Record
Starting the 2012 season with a 0–4 record, Brees extended Johnny Unitas’ straight game streak with a touchdown throw by 54 games. Brees’ exceptional performance earned him the NFC’s Offensive Player of the Week title after throwing 370 yards and four touchdowns against the Chargers.
2017 Career Completions and Passing Yards
Amid a challenging start to the season, Brees passed Peyton Manning for second in career completions in Week 13. By Week 16, he became the third player to exceed 70,000 passing yards in an NFL-fastest 248 games. He finished the season with a remarkable 72.0 completion percentage.
Leading the Saints’ Return to the Dome
Following Hurricane Katrina’s devastation, the Saints rebounded to a 10–6 record under first-year coach Sean Payton. Brees was instrumental in this turnaround, as he guided the club to the NFC South division title. His impressive performances included throwing for a franchise-record 4,418 yards, which reinvigorated the city’s hope and passion for football.
Brees’ First 400-Yard Game as a Saint
A career-high 510 passing yards in a 2006 shootout against the Cincinnati Bengals marked Brees’ first 400-yard game as a Saint. This impressive performance featured two touchdowns and three interceptions. It set a single-game franchise record and ranked as the sixth most passing yards in NFL history at the time.
Overtime Win Against The Cowboys
A remarkable moment unfolded when Brees threw an 80-yard touchdown pass to C. J. Spiller in overtime and secured a 26–20 win over the Cowboys. This became Brees’ 400th career touchdown and made him the fastest to reach this milestone in just 205 games while completing his 5,000th pass.
The 2013 Pro Bowl MVP Award
Another stellar performance in the 2013 season, which included 381 passing yards and four touchdowns, gave Brees his third NFC Offensive Player of the Week award. This achievement extended his record to six consecutive seasons where he scored 30 touchdown throws and culminated in his eighth Pro Bowl selection.
Defeating Tom Brady in 2020
In one of the most anticipated matchups of 2020, Brees and the Saints dismantled Tom Brady’s Buccaneers 38-3, with Brees throwing for 222 yards and four touchdowns. He also became the first quarterback to reach 80,000 career passing yards, finishing the season with 2,942 yards, 24 touchdowns, and a 12–4 record.
Top 15 Moments from Drew Brees’ Legendary NFL Journey