Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez tries to get into the end zone against the Washington Redskins. (AP-Yonhap News)
NEW ORLEANS (AP) ― Drew Brees broke a half-century-old NFL record by throwing a touchdown pass in his 48th straight game, and the New Orleans Saints won for the first time this season, 31-24 over the San Diego Chargers on Sunday night.
Brees’ 40-yard pass to Devery Henderson eclipsed the mark of 47 consecutive games with a touchdown pass set by Johnny Unitas from 1956-60. Brees’ also had three scoring strikes to Marques Colston, giving him a franchise-record 52 touchdown catches with the Saints (1-4).
At Brees’ request, the NFL allowed head coach Sean Payton, assistant head coach Joe Vitt and general manager Mickey Loomis ― all serving various suspensions in connection with the NFL’s bounty investigation ― to attend the game. They and Johnny Unitas son, Joe, saw Brees pass for 370 yards.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, the one who suspended Saints personnel in the bounty matter but also granted Brees’ request for Payton, Vitt and Loomis to attend the game, chimed in on social media to offer his own congratulations to Brees.
On his Twitter page, Goodell wrote: “Congrats to @drewbrees & his teammates on breaking Unitas’ record. Amazing accomplishment by great QB & leader. We’re proud of you, Drew.”
Luck’s Colts stun Packers
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) ― All Chuck Pagano asked the Indianapolis Colts to do was focus on football.
Andrew Luck and Reggie Wayne did that ― and a little more to honor their ailing coach.
The rookie quarterback and veteran receiver connected at the most critical moments Sunday, including a 4-yard touchdown pass with 35 seconds left to complete the Colts’ second-half rally and stun Green Bay 30-27 on perhaps the most emotional day in Lucas Oil Stadium history.
“I’m sure we were all lying to everybody the whole week, trying to downplay it,” Luck said after throwing for a career-high 362 yards. “I think we all went out there wanting to do it for Chuck more than anything else. To see all the emotions on Mr. Irsay’s face, BA’s, everyone in there, I think it’s one of the greatest athletic moments I’ve ever been a part of.”
Interim coach Bruce Arians, nicknamed BA, acknowledged he was fighting back tears when he spoke to reporters. From the sounds of it, so were Luck and Wayne.
The sometimes emotional team owner, Jim Irsay, sniffled as he spoke inside a silent locker room before dashing off to the hospital where Pagano is undergoing treatment for leukemia. He wanted to personally deliver the game ball to Pagano, who celebrated his 52nd birthday Tuesday.
Atlanta 24, Washington 17
Patriots 31, Broncos 21
Miami 17, Cincinnati 13
Baltimore 9, Kansas City 6
NY Giants 41, Cleveland 27
Pittsburgh 16, Philadelphia 14
Seattle 16, Carolina 12
Chicago 41, Jacksonville 3
Minnesota 30, Tennessee 7
San Francisco 45, Buffalo 3
koreaherald@heraldcorp.com
