Top 10 Saints Moments from 2020: #9 - Brees Surpasses 80,000 Career Passing Yards

The top moments from the New Orleans Saints' 2020 campaign. #9 - Drew Brees Surpasses 80,000 career passing yards on Christmas Day.

The New Orleans Saints 2020 season has now come and gone following their divisional-round loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Despite falling short of the ultimate goal of a Super Bowl title, New Orleans claimed their 4th consecutive NFC South championship and displayed consistent resilience in the face of adversity.

Until the Super Bowl, we will look at 10 moments that defined the New Orleans Saints’ 2020 campaign. The #9 moment came from Christmas Day when Drew Brees became the NFL's 1st quarterback to surpass 80,000 career passing yards.

"IT'S TIME TO EAT!" 🍛

Christmas game pregame HYPE 🔥#Saints | @MercedesBenzUSA pic.twitter.com/WXXrhSVCmN

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 25, 2020

For the 3rd consecutive season, QB Drew Brees surpassed yet another great milestone in his career. Two years after breaking Hall of Fame QB Peyton Manning’s all-time career passing yards mark on MNF, Drew Brees became the first QB in NFL history to surpass the mark of 80,000 career passing yards. He accomplished the feat during the Saints’ Christmas Day blowout of the Minnesota Vikings.

Headed into Week 15, Drew Brees was just 154 passing yards shy of eclipsing 80,000 career passing yards. In the first half of the matchup, QB Drew Brees completed 10 of 15 passes for 151-yards. He headed into the locker room 3 yards shy of 80,000 career passing yards for his career. The Vikings received the ball to begin the 3rd quarter but were quickly forced to punt after the Saints defense forced a three and out.

During the Saints' first possession of the 2nd half, Brees’ first pass to Emmanuel Sanders bounced off the receivers’ hands and into the air leading to an interception at the Saints' 23-yard line.

Dec 25, 2020; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) hands off to running back Alvin Kamara (41) in the second half against the Minnesota Vikings at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Following the Minnesota touchdown, New Orleans began their drive by rushing the football on both first and second downs. It was now 3rd and 5, with 8:42 remaining in the 3rd quarter, and Brees needed only 3-yards for the milestone. 

Brees connected with RB Latavius Murray for a 9-yard reception, extending the drive that eventually led to an RB Alvin Kamara touchdown. On the check down to Murray, Brees became the first QB in NFL history to surpass 80,000 yards passing.

¡Saluden a @drewbrees, el único QB en llegar a las 80,000 yardas por aire en toda la historia de la #NFL! 🔝🔝🔝#Saints #NFLMX #MINvsNO pic.twitter.com/nmVyTqEVnR

— NFL México (@nflmx) December 25, 2020

Despite reaching history in front of a nationally televised audience, Alvin Kamara's performance overshadowed Brees. Kamara’s six rushing touchdowns were the first by an NFL player in over 90 years. The four-time Pro-Bowl running back notched 20 total touchdowns in the 2020 campaign.

The Saints defeated the Vikings 52-33 on a Christmas that the Who Dat Nation will never forget. Drew Brees concluded the action with 311-yards through the air and continued to add to his total career passing yards, which sits as the current NFL record at 80,358.

Records are meant to be broken, milestones are always meant to be surpassed, and Drew Brees continued to smash records in his 20th NFL season.  

Brees’ continued pursuit of excellence and record-breaking performances is why this moment lands in our Top 10 moments of the 2020 season. 

Saints News Intern Joe Mcguan contributed to the Article Series: Top 10 Defining Moments of Saints 2020 Season.

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