Drew Brees sets NFL passing record with 62-yard touchdown throw

(Image credit: Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

last updated 9 October 2018

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees needed 201 passing yards to push past Brett Favre and Peyton Manning and set a new NFL all-time passing record, and he did that during the second quarter of Monday night's game in New Orleans against the Washington Redskins. And the pass that put him over the line was a 62-yard throw to Tre'Quan Smith, who ran it in for a touchdown. The celebration was pretty intense.

Brees finished the game with 363 yards, three touchdowns, and his new record, and the Saints trounced the Redskins 43-19. Manning, who'd held the record with 71,940 passing yards, responded in a video.

Brees, 39, could very well top 80,000 passing yards if he can keep up this pace through the 2019 season, when his current contract ends.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.