Drew Brees sets new NFL record for touchdown passes, but Tom Brady isn't far behind
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New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees completed his 540th overall touchdown pass in a 34-7 win against the Indianapolis Colts on Monday night, beating the previous NFL record of 539 held by former Colts and Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning. The record-breaking pass came in the third quarter with a 5-yard throw to Josh Hill.
Brees then padded his new record with a 28-yard touchdown pass to Taysom Hill, notching 541. He also set a new NFL record for single-game pass percentage, completing 29 of 30 passes for 307 yards and four touchdowns, and beat his own personal record of 20 consecutive completed passes.
Fellow NFL players and other celebrities tweeted their congratulations to Brees, including New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who is breathing down Brees' neck with 538 career touchdown passes — and counting.
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Peyton Manning, the Saints reminded everyone, pre-congratulated Brees last year, when he broke Manning's passing record. Peter Weber
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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.
